Team Cutters, the reigning men’s Little 500 champs, has been the focus of all racing conversation this past week. Of course, winning five years in a row deserves some envious chatter—not to mention Eric Young announcing his professional commitment to Bissell just after the victory.
Yeah, that is all great conversation, but what about those without celebrity status? What about the underdogs? Let’s talk about the team that just recently regained footing within their racing program and landed in the 27 spot after the race.
I recently sat down with the men’s riders of Sigma Alpha Epsilon to discuss their first qualification for the Little 500 in 10 years. Their only expectation was to finish the race in better standing than they had in quals.
After the event that has Bloomington partying for nearly a week commenced, Jeremy Pearson lent his perspective on his team’s accomplishments, Eric Young, and the future of S-A-E cycling.
S-A-E may not be jumping for joy due to their 27th finish overall in the men’s race, but they agree it is definitely a step in the right direction.
Race conditions were less than ideal with threats of rain delays and lingering grey clouds that seemed to drift just above the ground. Some riders would use the unrelenting elements as an excuse for poor performance—for Jeremy Pearson it was just the fire he needed to keep pedaling.
Pearson admitted, “I just think it’s a motivator when it’s raining…I feel like I go faster when it’s less than ideal like that.”
After the last corner was rounded on the cinder track, the guys knew they had accomplished what they had set out for. It was apparent that their placing was only a number—something to work from when training for next year. Now, they won’t have to guess and hope for the best, they can take their experiences to training and focus on their weaknesses.
Plus, the super-team that is Cutters will be one Eric Young less next year. Will that finally make the racing track level? Eh, probably not.
However, Indiana University Student Foundation is trying to diminish the loop-hole in its eligibility section that Eric Young seemingly zipped his fancy, gifted bicycle through. They expect this new clamp in the rulebook to clarify the rules and make the talent of the sport more equal.
Pearson wasn’t shy to give his opinion on Young’s controversial situation this year. Like many others, he was not enthused. Jeremy proclaimed, “By the rules he did nothing wrong, but that doesn’t mean it was ethical or in the spirit of the event…he’s obviously in a class of his own on the Little 5 track”.
Riders and fans have had their opinions of whether Eric Young should have been considered a professional rider when he started accepting goods from Bissell. Pearson agreed, “He was riding around on his shiny, new fifteen-thousand dollar bike…you can’t say that material things are not a form of contract”.
Despite the frustrations he held about Young, Jeremy was optimistic for the 2012 race. He ensured me the riders have the best intentions for the progression of the team. There is talk of a camp, nothing major, but one that will help the alum coaches give the riders the tools they need to be better in the future.
I asked Pearson if he plans on staying in connection with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon riding team–now that his last year is over. He responded, “Oh certainly. I will be here over the summer riding with them…I would definitely love to be involved in some capacity with them”.
