December 20/07 1:11 am - Team R.A.C.E. Pro Announces Continental Status

Posted by Editor on 12/20/07
 

Team R.A.C.E. Pro Announces Continental Status

Team R.A.C.E. Pro, a Canadian-based cycling team is taking its first step into the professional ranks as a UCI Continental team for 2008.

As part of this move, Team R.A.C.E. Pro will have a substantially reinforced rider roster which includes some of Canada's best cycling talent: 5 time Canadian National Road Champion, Mark Walters, the 2005 Under 23 Canadian National Road Champion, Ryan Roth, Kevin "Buck" Miller, Dustin MacBurnie, Mark Pozniak, Andrew Hunt, Eric Robertson, Joël Dion-Poitras, Keir Plaice, Dan Timmerman (USA), Adam Thuss, and the current Under 23 Canadian National Cyclo-cross Champion, Mark Batty. Josée Larocque and Canadian Sport Hall of Fame member Steve Bauer, of Cycle Sport Management Inc., will manage all aspects of the team.

The vision of the team is to provide the opportunity for Canadian cyclists to race at a professional level with a Canadian team whose long term objectives are to compete in the UCI Pro Tour and the Tour de France.

Principal sponsor, Planet Energy, will provide the financial resources necessary for the team to progress with Catalyst Capital Group Inc. and Silverback Media providing important complementary financial commitment to the program. Argon 18 and Shimano Canada will contribute the top-quality bicycle frames and equipment essential to the success of Team R.A.C.E. Pro. Pearl Izumi will sponsor the team with a complete line of technical-performing cycling apparel.

Team R.A.C.E. Pro will begin its 2008 racing campaign in Belgium on March 1st at the Beverbeek Classic (UCI 1.2), and continue to compete at several internationally sanctioned races in Europe for the remainder of March.

These tough European events will provide the racing experience and develop the fitness required for the team to be competitive during the later racing schedule in North America. The US Open in Richmond, Virginia will be the first significant race in North America for the team. Important Canadian competitions to attend will be the Tour de Beauce (UCI 2.2) and the 2008 Canadian National Road Championships, also in Beauce, Quebec.

Financial Sponsors for Team R.A.C.E. Pro 2008

Planet Energy
Catalyst Capital Group Inc.
Silverback Media

Equipment and Product Sponsors for Team R.A.C.E. Pro 2008

Argon 18: Bicycle frames
Shimano Canada: Bicycle components and cycling shoes
Pearl Izumi: Cycling apparels
PRO: Bicycle accessories
Thule: Bicycle carriers
Giro: Helmets
Oakley: Eyewear
Boomerang Group: Design communication
Pedro's: Tools and lubricants
Endurance Nutrition: Carb-BOOM Energy products