VeloNews features Robin Carpenter today, a key signing for 2018. He talks about his goals, racing in Europe and what it’s like to switch teams.
Robin Carpenter had something to prove in 2017. Following a successful 2016, he was unable to get a WorldTour contract.
So, he won a second Cascade Classic title and grabbed overall wins at the Joe Martin Stage Race and the Winston Salem Cycling Classic. He placed fourth at the U.S. Pro National Championships. All of those results were earned despite a nasty crash at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah in August that left him at home and unable to defend his Tour of Alberta title or race the inaugural Tour of Colorado.
Going into 2018, the 25-year-old American seemed poised to finally sign a coveted WorldTour contract, so it was a little surprising when he announced this fall that he would be leaving the Holowesko-Citadel team, where he’s been his entire professional career, to ride for the rival Rally Cycling program. Since Rally Cycling and Holowesko are both stepping up to the Pro Continental level for 2018, the move seemed like a horizontal shuffle.
The motivation for the team change wasn’t obvious on the surface, but Carpenter told VeloNews he sees the move as a necessary step in his development as a rider. His desire to change scenery may have left a bad taste in the mouth of Holowesko brass, but he stressed it was strictly a business decision.
“Sometimes people take things personally when it’s really more of a business decision,” he said. “You can’t pass up opportunities when they come floating your way, especially in this sport.”
Read the full article at VeloNews.com
