[ire]

I thought this was interesting
http://www.velonews.com/article/90606/a-shrinking-peloton

A shrinking peloton?
Posted Apr. 16, 2009
Buried deep in a press release from the Cyclistes Professionnel Asociés released on Thursday was a rather troubling statistic.

According to the CPA, there are a total of 866 riders registered with the UCI for the 2009 season.

That total marks a drop of 21 percent in respect to 2008 and a 29 percent drop from 2007.

The group said that a total of 476 riders were registered with 18 ProTour teams and another 390 riders with continental teams

 

[MtnbikeMike]

Hey, positive drugs tests take their toll on numbers

 

[ire]

Hey, positive drugs tests take their toll on numbers

Thats what I was thinking....all of the doping scandals are starting to hurt the teams

 

[4xBoy]

Team budgets I would bet are shrinking at a high rate also.

 

[maddog17]

budgets would hurt, but i think the fact so many are getting caught with doping would make someone think twice about turning pro. i've read stories about the huge use of drugs in europe and for someone who wants to do it clean, it makes it tough to compete and win to get a contract.