T. Kenji Sugahara
I've been discussing this with their executive director for quite a
while now and unfortunately they were placed in a tough spot.
There were many factors that were involved:
The "no pro" can race a non-USAC event hurt them tremendously.
Rightly or wrongly, promoters had it in them that they had to have
pro's to have a successful race. With the large number of pros
calling CO home, it created a larger issue as promoters were jumping
ship.
ACA had absolutely no competitive advantage when it came to putting on
races in CO. While their service was higher, their prices were higher
than USAC. The value proposition presented by ACA was on par with
USAC.
USAC was planning on forming their own LA in CO in 2012 if ACA did not
come back. With no competitive advantage this created a huge problem
for ACA. Furthermore, USAC is flush with cash at this time as the
Olympics are next year.
Having ACA in their home state with the US Pro Cycling challenge also
calling it home was a huge thorn in the side of USAC.
I had a chance to look at the entire budget with the merger with USAC.
It will be interesting to see how it pans out- there are some one
time revenue streams- of which a couple will stop after 3 years. Once
those expire and if they are not renewed, will put ACA/CBRA in a
revenue deficit. I conjecture that those one time revenue streams
will not be renewed as they aren't provided to other local
associations and would be giving CBRA preferential treatment.
All I can do is hope that the new LA is successful.
On Sat, Nov 19, 2011 at 8:04 AM, Beth H wrote:
> If you want to see the official language that framed the ACA"s discussion, it's posted here:
>
> http://www.americancycling.org/sites/default/files/Site_Files/BOD/Annual_Meetings/board_recommendation_on_usac_la_nov_16_2011_final.pdf
>
> In summary, Colorado has apparently decided that it's not a big enough group to remain independent and that somehow rejoining USAC is of mutual benefit. Of course, I don't know what other factors informed the discussion, though one could suppose that money (or the ACA's lack thereof) and geography (ACA is in the same state that is home to the USOC) may have had something to do with it. Fascinating.
>
> Beth
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--
Kenji Sugahara
Executive Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association
Phone: