Q&A: Welcome Mike Sayers, Contender’s New GM!
Some big news from the shop: we have a new General Manager (GM)!
Specifically, we're thrilled to welcome Mike Sayers to Salt Lake City, and to the Contender Bicycles family. And although it's our slow season, the next time you come in, you won't have to look far to spot Mike: responsible for the shop floor (both Salt Lake and Park City), our services department, and warehouse operations, Mike is sure to be a constant presence across Contender.
With one of the coolest cycling resumes you're likely to come across, Mike is bringing an eye-popping breadth of industry experience to Contender. Cat 5 racer turned WorldTour pro? Team Director? National team coach at multiple Olympics? Certified bike fitter? Industry consultant and shop manager? Yes to all.
Anxious to learn more about Mike's path, including what drew him to Contender, where he'll be focusing, and how he plans to put his unique experience to work on behalf of our customers, I had the opportunity to sit down with Mike for a wide-ranging conversation.
Happy reading, and welcome Mike!
Q&A with New Contender GM Mike Sayers
Q: Mike, welcome to Contender! First things first: let's start with the news. What resonated with you about Contender Bicycles and this role? And ultimately, what made you want to join the team?
A: Ryan and I have a long history, having raced together on a regional team in the mid 1990s. I don't say this lightly, but I am not sure that I would have made it as a pro without Ryan's support during that time. From that point on, I always followed Ryan, Alison, and Contender, as they built the business, but stayed true to their SLC roots. I value that kind of loyalty and entrepreneurship. Both resonated with me, and made me want to be part of the Contender team.
I was also attracted to Contender by the number of resources they offer, and the shop's ability to serve so many types of riders. I'm now at a stage of my life where I had real freedom to move, geographically and professionally. I have never been afraid to bet on myself, and my gut told me Contender was the place for me.
Above: Sayers on a training ride with friends in the Sacramento area circa 2008, during his time on the BMC Pro Team.
Q: As General Manager, can you give our customers a sense for what you're responsible for, how they might interact with you, and where you'll be focusing in your first few months?
A: Our community can find me at our Salt Lake City or Park City locations–either on the shop floor, or in the service department. At the moment, my primary focus is observing and listening. One of my early takeaways: I have never experienced a store with such a professional and dedicated staff. They are my teachers right now, and I am doing my best to ask a million questions, so they can educate me on all things Contender. I'm also working closely with Ryan, trying to soak up his many decades of knowledge and experience.
Q: Beyond day-to-day operations, are there other opportunities that you hope to lean into and lend your expertise? Or are there certain aspects of the Contender experience you're especially hoping to protect and uphold?
A: Contender has an incredible reputation for knowledge and professionalism. Those are the building blocks that I intend to foster and protect. In my competitive and professional life, I've always been a team guy, dedicating my energy to those who lead. I plan to do the same here at Contender, cultivating the culture and customer experience that Ryan and Alison have closely established.
Q: Let's rewind the clock a bit. As a kid, what were your early experiences as an athlete and with cycling? And because we have to ask, what was your first bike–either from your parents or that you bought on your own (or both)?
A: I came to the sport of cycling late, at 18 years old. Growing up, I was a ski racer that rode my dad's Univega road bike occasionally for fun. After Greg Lemond first won the Tour de France in 1986, I started watching the Tour, and the obsession was on. In my younger years I rode BMX bikes, but my first real road bike was a beautiful red Rossin.
Q: Fun fact: as you noted (above), you raced on a regional team with none other than Contender owner Ryan Littlefield. Any memories about racing with Ryan or about your time on the Einstein Bagels team?
A: Racing on that team was one of the most enjoyable and pivotal chapters of my racing career. Just a bunch of young talented guys, bouncing around in a van, going to races and kicking butt. To this day, that year always puts a smile on my face.
Above: Sayers lines up for a road race circa 1995-1996, during his time on the Einstein Bagels regional cycling team.
Q: You worked your way from a Category 5 racer to the WorldTour, racing at the highest levels in the U.S. and Europe, including the BMC Pro Team, and major races like the Tour of Flanders, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and the Tour of California, among others. I'm sure we could talk shop for hours on your pro career, but if you had to boil it down, is there a favorite experience or accomplishment that still resonates with you all these years later?
A: My all-time favorite race was the Philadelphia Classic, which was a one-day circuit race, typically thought of as America's top international cycling classic. I did it 13 times, spent thousands of kilometers in the breaks, and it was the highlight of my season, every season. Beyond that, I am most proud of my time as Director of the BMC Pro Team. When I got that opportunity, I was the first American WorldTour Team Director in 35 years (Mike Neel was the first).
Top: Sayers competes with Health Net pro team at the Athens Twilight Criterium, circa 2004; Bottom: Sayers climbing during the San Francisco Grand Prix, circa 2005-2006.
Q: Sticking with your racing career, any pearls of wisdom or hard-won lessons learned that you're especially fond of imparting to the athletes you've coached?
A: Listen to your heart, go with your gut. Find a way to succeed that does not involve putting more wattage into it. There is always a different way. Have a plan A…then B, C and D. Plan A can revolve around strength and fitness. The rest should revolve around using your mind and experience.
Top: Sayers with Utah native Jeff Louder at the 2010 edition of the Tour of Utah, where Louder was competing for the GC; Bottom: Sayers with BMC Pro Team leadership in 2010, during training camp in Denia, Spain.
Q: After retiring from professional racing, you transitioned into team leadership with BMC, and later, coaching elite athletes with USA Cycling. Can you share some highlights from that chapter, including any insights from the athletes you've worked with?
A: Coaching American riders at the London Olympics was a major highlight for me. We had a stacked team, including Taylor Phinney, who was with me at BMC, and was a total rocket ship at the time. Taylor was a huge personality, with a huge engine. Watching him race the time trial (TT) was a wild ride. Half the time I would tell my mechanic to watch him, because I just could not, as he was on the razor's edge all the time. I used to have to lie down after being in the car following him because I was so stressed.
Then there is a famous story of me finding Chris Horner on the side of the road with a broken bike at the London road race. The crowds there were 20 deep for 200 km. It was so loud I could not hear the radio, but I knew Chris well and I heard something about a bike issue and I hit the gas. I raced against Chris, I was teammates with him, I directed him, and I just knew something was up. How I saw him on the side of the road in that crowd was pure luck.
Above: Sayers with the US Women's National Team in 2021, in northern France.
Q: Separate from your racing and coaching career, you've held a number of industry roles, including tech rep (Speedplay), retail store manager (Trek), and certified bike fitter (Retul). Let's geek out on two of those experiences: First, what did you learn from running a bike shop that you're bringing to your role at Contender? And second, when it comes to bike fit, what is the quickest, easiest tweak that can have the biggest impact for the average rider?
A: Trek is an extremely well organized business. They have solid procedures and best practices, and they taught me a lot. That said, I really love Contender's community, culture, expertise, and professionalism. Those are the areas where I'll be leaning in, and what I'm most excited to protect and extend.
As for bike fit, adjusting saddle height and reach is likely to deliver the greatest impact on both performance and comfort, for the greatest number of riders. The bike should fit the rider, not the other way around. Invest in quality equipment and it will serve you down the road.
Q: Last word–anything we didn't cover, or that you want Contender customers to know, either about your background or what they can expect from you?
A: Ultimately, I love to ride bikes, to talk shop, and to help other cyclists reach their goals. At this stage of my career, I still love to ride fast, but my greater focus is on community and culture...new experiences, and new relationships.
Overall, I'm just thrilled to be at Contender, and to cultivate what Ryan and team have created.
Learn More
Whether you're looking to get ahead of spring with a targeted upgrade, or simply looking to meet Mike, we'd love to see you at our SLC or Park City location–come on down!
Or, feel free to reach out via one of the options below:
📞 Call: 801-364-0344
📧 Email: info@contenderbicycles.com