Discovery is gone

I have been addicted to cycling for years. I follow the sport, I participate in the sport, I rely on it to keep me fit and sane. It is the sport of my hero. Today was a rough day for me, as today the Team USPS/Discovery Channel era ended.

Cycling is an amazing sport that is based on the strength of teamwork. No single cyclist can ever succeed without their teammates pulling on the front, blocking, fetching water bottles, chasing down the break, and providing a draft up the hills. For the last nine years, the best demonstration of this teamwork within the professional cycling world was Team USPS/Discovery Channel. The American Team.

Now, due to the uncertain climate surrounding professional cycling, and the inability to guarantee large financial backers a return on their investments, Team Discovery Channel has closed down. The most successful cycling organization in history, with eight Tour de France wins in nine years, ended today. A rough day.

In demonstration of their amazing strength and professionalism, the team received their 39th victory of this season today with their eleven year veteran George Hincapie taking the overall title at the teams final event on US soil, the Tour of Missouri.

Here is the impressive showing for the Discovery Channel boys so far this season:

Tour of California (3 wins): 2 stages and Levi Leipheimer GC triumph

Valencia (1): Alberto Contador stage win

Paris-Nice (4): 3 stages and Contador GC

Castilla Leon (2): 1 stage and Contador GC

DePanne (1): Stijn Devolder TT victory

Georgia (4): 3 stages and Brajkovic GC

Catalunya (1): Allan Davis stage win

Belgium (2): Vladimir Gusev TT and GC wins

Suisse (1): Gusev stage win

Russian Nationals (1): Gusev TT title

Belgian Nationals (1): Devolder RR title

Tour of Austria (3): Meersman stage, Devolder TT and GC

Tour of Qinghai Lake (6): Davis 5 stage wins; Chechu Rubiera stage

Tour de France (3): Contador stage; Leipheimer TT; Contador GC

Tour de l’Ain (1): Brian Vandborg stage win

US Pro Championships (1): Leipheimer RR title

Tour of Missouri (3): George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer stage wins, Hincapie GC

Vuelta a Espana (1): Jason McCartney stage win

The Tour of Missouri was also an opportunity for the professional cycling world to welcome the next chapter in American cycling, Team Slipstream. Slipstream riders finished second in the overall, took two stage wins, and secured the team classification. With the team already signing several of the Discovery Channel riders to contracts for next season, it appears, with a bold Argyle statement, that American cycling is not dead.

So, welcome Slipstream. As I mourn the loss of the house that my cycling hero built, I welcome you to the street, and I am anxious to join you for all of your rides next season. Please make us proud.