FACTORY DEVELOPMENT TEAM
By Jered Gruber
In 2007, the TIME Factory Development Team began as an up-start, unknown squad made up largely of unknown young talents. From February through October, The TIME Factory Development Team worked to achieve legitimacy on the racing scene with a group of riders that were not mainstream talent. During the course of the team's first campaign, the riders managed to demonstrate continual growth both physically and personally culminating in some fine performances: two riders made the podium at U23 Nationals, one on the podium at Junior Nationals, two top 10's in NRC races, and a plethora of wins and podium appearances throughout a stellar inaugural campaign. Two riders from the 2007 squad, Eric Bennett and Chris Monteleone, moved on to new teams for 2008 (Successfulliving.com, US National Team respectively), and managed a successful ascension up another rung in the sport.
For 2008, the team direction, led by Erik Saunders and Pat Raines, have pursued another jump in the calibre and prospects of the team - through UCI Continental status, which will better afford racing possibilities at the highest level and a chance for the riders to learn and compete with the best in America.
Three of the team's original core of five riders will return in 2008 with Time Pro Cycling: Jered Gruber, David Duncan, and first year U23 rider, Andy Baker. The vast majority of the team will be made up of new riders - nine in all.
The team will take on a new shape for 2008 in its leadership as well. The management will stay the same, as Erik Saunders and Pat Raines will make a welcome return. It is in the rung just below Saunders and Raines - the captains - that the team hopes to further foster a learning, nurturing environment for its young talents. Three experienced, high-calibre riders signed on for 2008 as captains: Jon Hamblen, Daniel Ramsey, and Adam Myerson. The team hopes that the vast amount of experience and leadership capabilities these three riders engender will further aid in the development of the remaining nine young riders.
In 2008, TIME Pro Cycling is targeting a U23 National Championship, the Best Young Rider in the USA Crits Series, as well as the season-long goal of finishing as a Top 10 team in the National Racing Calendar team ranking.