American Pro

American cycling has a long tradition of riding and racing on a shoestring and a prayer. Jamie Smith explores the domestic side of the world's biggest amateur sport in American Pro: The True Story of Bike Racing in America. American cycling has a long tradition of riding and racing on a shoestring and a prayer. Jamie Smith explores the domestic side of the world's biggest amateur sport in American Pro: The True Story of Bike Racing in America. American Pro rips away the thin veneer of professionalism among domestic racing teams to lay bare the heart and soul of a struggling sport. Smith traces the arc of one team's racing career to discover colorful personalities, scrappy racing action, humor and heartbreak. American Pro shows what the sport demands: the scramble for contracts, the dynamics of team chemistry, the unending travel, the Herculean struggle to realize the dreamall for the love of bike racing. With sharp humor and insight, Smith uncovers what's wrongand what's rightwith America's broken bike racing system. American Pro will transform how you think of domestic pro racing through a five-season exposé of the sport we love.

Jamie Smith is a veteran bike racer and bike race announcer. He has been a bike racer since 1983 working his way up through the ranks of amateur cycling, and a bike race announcer since 1985 traveling with some of the world's greatest cyclists. He spent several years in public relations for a sleepy Detroit suburb, receiving one Emmy nomination and several Telly Awards. Writing repetitive press releases and boring speeches inspired him to find something more exciting to write about: bike racing. A graduate of Central Michigan University's Broadcast and Cinematic Arts program, Jamie has become adept at describing cycling's most complex intricacies to normal people. His first book, Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer, was selected as a 2009 Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. He has since taken on the role of sport director to translate the complexities of bike racing for befuddled bike racers who mistakenly chase down their own teammates, miss the winning breakaway, and consistently finish one place out of the money. He currently lives in Rochester, Michigan, with his 11 bikes, 2 surfboards, 1 rowing scull, and 5 pair of cross-country skis.

Preface 1 Dreaming Big 2 Anatomy of a Niche Sport 3 The Road to the Major Leagues 4 Cycling's Sponsorship Conundrum 5 Some Assembly Required 6 Season 1: Pink, Blue, and White 7 Partnerships, Mergers, and Acquisitions 8 Sophomore Year 9 Season 2: Pink and Gray 10 Orchestrating a Bike Race 11 The Weight of a Pro License 12 Season 3: Pink, Gray, and White 13 The Friends and Family Plan 14 Finding the Right Formula 15 Season 4: The Red Army Marches On 16 Cycling's Clear and Present Danger 17 Uncertainty Sets In 18 Season 5: Red and Black 19 Closing Up Shop 20 The Taking of Fuzhou Epilogue About the Author