PureBlack Racing 365 days post launch

"I have a dream," Carl Williams one year ago at the PureBlack Racing launch.

Jul 29th, 11. It has been one year since PureBlack Racing was launched and four months since the Kiwi team hit the US racing scene by storm.

When Carl Williams and Greg Cross launched PureBlack racing back on July 28th last year, they shared their dream to create a Kiwi team that would one day race the Tour de France.  

They had a grand five year vision, but no riders, no UCI licence, and a fair few detractors.

In the months following, the team gained a UCI Continental licence, announced their all Kiwi twelve rider roster, set off to their base in Boulder, Colorado -  and took the US by storm.  

When they left New Zealand in March, Williams told RoadCycling.co.nz this season was about delivering results to show future sponsors, race organisers and the New Zealand public this is the team that can one day fly the New Zealand flag at the Tour.

Since their debut US race, the team's riders have taken five stage victories, won a one day race, earned a tour title and claimed five jersey classification wins - not to mention twelve other podium finishes.

PureBlack Racing has also earned a Top 10 place in the Team's Classification in six of the ten stage races they have competed in and are currently 6th on the prestigious NRC Team Classification.

As well as these fantastic results, PureBlack quickly earned a reputation as a team of aggressive riders. Other teams, and race announcers, soon learnt who the new team in black was, and that they meant business.

PureBlack with their management team and sponsors on their final ride before they left for the US ©RoadCycling.co.nz

"The European and North American cycling world is in for a big surprise from New Zealand!" was one of the many unsolicited comments RoadCycling.co.nz received from race organisers and media managers.

Williams and Cross are extremely proud of what the team has achieved in its first season.

Their dream is being realised, sponsors are coming on board, and their detractors are becoming harder to find.

The season is not over yet though. Perhaps the team's biggest challenge is to come.

On August 9th, PureBlack Racing will line up against five World Tour pro-teams at the six stage Tour of Utah, nicknamed "America's toughest stage race".

It is a challenge they are looking forward to.

PureBlack's top successes

On the anniversary of the team's launch, RoadCycling.co.nz invited Mr Cross, the team's Business Director, to name the team's three top successes to date.

"In no particular order ....

"The support the team has attracted from both New Zealanders and Americans - we really appreciate how many people have adopted the team and become part of our community. More than anything this reinforces we are on the right track - the feedback on our brand, the professional standards we set, our aggressive style of racing and the approachability of the guys off the bike.

"The guys on the team - they have really responded to the high performance culture we have established and we are over the moon at the results they have achieved in 12 short months. To finish our US season as one of the top teams and one of the most respected teams is a huge achievement. Some of the young guys on the development squad are doing a fantastic job of showing they are ready for a step up next year too," he added.