In his CBR interview last month, Mike Ebert (ABD) alluded to some big changes for Athletes by Design. Today he delivered, and the changes are a much bigger deal than just a few new sponsors.

ABD is joining forces with Gear Grinder Cycling (formerly known as PCW) to form a combined pro development team, known as ABD-Gear Grinder, to race regionally and at select National Race Calendar events.

The arrangement is for 2008 only, but Ebert tells me “everyone at ABD and Gear Grinder has been looking much further down the road since we first started talking.” This includes potential partnerships on junior, off-road and multisport programs.

The teams will continue to operate separate teams -- ABD has more than 200 members, PCW 130 -- for riders Category 1 through 5.

Gear Grinder is a Wisconsin-based company that will be selling “cycling-inspired” casual clothing. (Its Web site is under construction.)

Ebert’s post also unveils the 2008 ABD-Gear Grinder roster, which retains ABD heavyweights Josh Carter and Jeff Schroetlin and adds from PCW the dynamic duo of Rob and Ryan White. You may know Rob best from an impressive win over Jonathan Clarke (Colavita) at Glencoe or from this famous shot from Downers Grove.

In other ABD news, the flier for its annual indoor time trial series is now available. 2008’s first race is only a month away.

(Full disclosure: ABD is a sponsor of Chicago Bike Racing.)