It's Business. Strictly Business.

Okay. I understand it's a tough time for cycling teams so the announcement of a new title co-sponsor for Columbia-Highroad--now Columbia-HTC--can't be a bad thing.

Unless you are the proud owner of a Columbia-Highroad jersey.

Okay. I understand it's tough to wear an aesthetically cool all-black kit in the summer heat--hey, I live in Texas!-- so I understand Cervelo Test Team's announcement that they will switch to a white kit for the Tour de France and the remainder of the summer. It's a great idea.

Unless you are the proud owner of a Cervelo Test Team black jersey.

Okay. Businesses make lots of money selling fans team kit. Fans (like someone I know?) will spend really outrageous sums to purchase a team jersey so they can "be there" with their teams as they climb the Alps or storm down the Champs Elysees.

BUT HOW CAN YOU "BE THERE" IF THEY KEEP CHANGING THE ******* KIT???

I support Columbia and Cervelo Test Team primarily because they support professional women's teams--and it's bloody hard to find pro women's kits anywhere at any price! (Oh, yeah, and they have pretty good men's teams, too.) So I show "my love" by purchasing a men's small and making do. (If you don't think a men's small is different from a women's medium, take my word for it.)

But it's not about love, is it? It's about money. It's about business. ("It's not personal, Sonny. It's business. Strictly business.") Last year, CSC brought on board Saxo-Bank right before the Tour; likewise, Highroad brought aboard Columbia; Slipstream Chipotle brought on board Garmin. Each major sponsor addition necessitated a new kit, and fans were just...well, left holding their old lycra blends.

On the bright side? Hold on to that old kit, and in a few years some Chinese or French or German fan will be willing to shell out a fair amount to purchase your former fair-haired child on eBay. Chuck the sentiment and take the money. After all, it's not personal. It's strictly business.

Besides, how else will you finance the purchase of the latest team kit for the spring/summer/fall?? ;-)

GOTTA LOVE IT!!!!