Five years ago, 5280 was the first sponsor of a small, mostly local, cycling team headed by former Tour de France racer Jonathan Vaughters. We helped finance the team by contributing ads for JV’s real-estate business. He, in turn, contributed any commissions from sales generated from the ads to the team.

But like the song says, “from small things, mama, big things one day come.” Today, Vaughters’ squad has grown into Team Slipstream/Chipotle, and with the collapse of Lance Armstrong’s Discovery Channel team, Slipstream is taking center stage as the leading American force in pro cycling.

Vaughters introduced his 2008 squad last week at a sold-out event at the Boulder Theater. In addition to kids who’ve been with the team for its entire ride, he’s added of host of world-class talent, including two long-time pros who have worn the Tour’s famed yellow jersey and a winner of the fabled Paris-Roubaix race.

All-too-infrequent 5280 contributor Joe Lindsey has a great wrap-up on the launch party here. And for the real cycling geeks, here’s more on the team’s recent activities.

Daniel Brogan
Daniel Brogan
Daniel Brogan is the founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of 5280 Publishing, Inc.