Chris Wherry at Crossroads as Former US Pro Champ Rides for 2009 Contract

Chris Wherry is at a career crossroads. The 2005 US Pro road champ has been quiet ever since his historic win, and the lanky rider from the soon to be defunct Toyota-United team needs a big result this coming weekend in Greenville if he is to attract the attention of the other big teams in America. Wherry is a likable rider with a good attitude, but his luck has run dry since that day in 2005 when he rode Chris Horner and Danny Pate off his wheel en route to the national title in Philadelphia.

And Wherry isn't the only one on the hot seat. Besides Toyota-United, the Health Net and Symmetrics teams are also disbanding, which will lead to a flood of talent into the American domestic racing scene. If a rider is to secure a contract for 2009, they'll need to have a solid end to 2008, and where better to begin than this weekend in Greenville?

On paper, Wherry appears ideally suited to the parcours in Greenville. He is a capable climber with an attacking style, and will not be a marked rider, meaning that he may be able to escape with a small group and possibly stay away until the finish, like he did in Philly in 2005. Also working in his favor is the fact that he has been relatively injury free thus far in 2008. He'll have no excuses come race day on Sunday.

Even if he can't manage to win the event, it is imperitive that Wherry show himself at the front of the bike race early and often. If he can project an air of confidence while attacking, he'll show potential suitors his ability to animate a race. A hard-charging rider who can blow a field apart is just as valuable as a fast finisher or top climber, just ask Jens Voigt. By the time the road race finishes on Sunday, Wherry's fans and the cycling community will have a much better idea about his team prospects for 2009. Hopefully, those prospects will be plenty and prosperous.