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The Thin Blue Line

By Simon Mottram • 4th January 2010 08:29pm • Posted in Events

I was fortunate to be a guest at the launch of Team Sky this morning in London. Unusually, for a pro cycling event, the launch started with a bike ride.

It was minus 2 degrees celsius when we met under the Millenium Wheel on the Thames. But the sun was shining and the sky was an appropriately corporate blue. Groups of us rode from several start points through central London with (or, rather, behind) the pros, before meeting on the Mall for a few laps of St. James Park. A nice way to start the year, although it was strange to be one of two hundred 'rats' following the pied piper, Mr. Wiggins and his new team-mates…

The impressive launch proper was held at Millbank Tower. At the heart of the ethos of this new British team is the idea of 'the thin blue line'. It's the difference between being good and being great, between winning and losing. It's a great expression of Dave Brailsford's belief in the power of aggregating marginal gains (something he brings from his success with British track cycling).

The electric blue line features prominently on the kit, bikes, bus, cars and pretty much everything to do with the team. We're going to get very used to seeing it and the riders will no doubt get used to walking it, and riding it. I suppose that's precisely what Dave has in mind.

If this exciting launch today is anything to go by, Team Sky have a great chance of crossing the thin blue line from good to great this year.

Comments

Jon Cannings

5th January 2010 12:04am

Today was a day I have waited for, for a long long time! When the Linda McCartney team rode the Giro I was proud. When I look at the history books of the ANC Team, I am proud.
But this, this is something very special. They have the money, they have the support team, they have the equipment. Most importantly, they have the riders. Carefully selected on merit, personality, performance and ethics. This team is going to create a big impact on the Pro Tour.
Come on Team Sky, do us proud. Make history.

Jan Sotorník

5th January 2010 07:43am

Sky team look's good, looking forward for this season.

BTW on the Sky homepage Rapha Long Sleeve Jersey featured in a second news :-) http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17545_5794985,00.html

Gem Atkinson

5th January 2010 09:01am

Have to admit, watching some of the videos on their site I felt a weird sense of national pride with this team. Im so excited to see riders like Russ Downing have the platform to pitch themselves against the big protour teams.
I think Sky setting up this team signals a massive positive step our sport has taken, and I for one will be cheering loudly on the sidelines! Looking forward to an exciting calendar of protour racing in 2010.

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