February 14/08 8:38 am - Team H&R Block Announces 2008 Team

Posted by Editor on 02/14/08
 

Team H&R Block Announces 2008 Team
Courtesy Andy Holmwood

Entering its third season of competition, Calgary-based Team H&R Block is proud to announce its team for the 2008 season. The team enjoyed considerable success in 2007, capturing the team classification of the Alberta Road Cup, a National Master's Time Trial title, both men's and women's Alberta Provincial Road Championships, and placing two junior riders on the National Road Team.

The focus of Team H&R Block for the 2008 season is to continue to build and support a strong Elite team to be a dominant force in Alberta road, track, and cyclo-cross racing, and to establish a presence at select National and regional events. Targeted races beyond Alberta include the Tour of Walla Walla (Washington state), B.C. SuperWeek, and National Championships in both road and track.

Key additions to the team for 2008 include National Track Team member Ryan McKenzie, National Track Championships medalist Mark MacDonald, first-year Elite Aaron Schooler, twice a member of the National Cyclo-cross team, and Christian DeVries, a former National-caliber Espoir rider. McKenzie brings a wealth of big-race experience to the team, while Schooler and McDonald represent tremendous potential coupled with an ability to be immediately competitive at a National level.

Finally, the team is pleased to add a Sport Director to oversee the Elite team this season: Andy Holmwood, former Technical Director of the Alberta Bicycle Association, will direct the Elite Team at all major events.

The primary sponsor of the team is H&R Block, Canada's leading retail tax preparation company. New team sponsors include Stikeman Elliot - Canadian law firm of the year in 2007, SIX Real Estate Consultants, Cranked, Spinervals exclusively sold by Ryeka Sports in Canada, and Yakima.

Returning sponsors include Direct Cash, Rudy Project, Student Price Card, Curious Communications, Hammer Nutrition, DeFeet exclusively sold by Ryeka Sports in Canada and Mountain View Roasterie ....

The team is also pleased to announce a stronger partnership with Canadian company Louis Garneau, which will see the team riding Garneau's Sonix 6.4 bikes, in addition to wearing the company's clothing and helmets. The team has sported Garneau clothing since its inception, and is thrilled to be returning to Louis Garneau bikes this season.

2008 Espoir/Elite Roster
Jeff Bolstad
Chris DeVries
Cyrus Kangarloo
Mark MacDonald
Ryan McKenzie
Chris McNeil
Aaron Schooler
Anthony Steenburgen (Alberta Provincial Road Champion)

2008 Women's Roster
Carrie Tuck (Alberta Provincial Road Champion)
Skye Mitchell
Megan Rathwell
Melanie Zinck

2008 Regional Roster
Dallas Morris
Gideon Kristalka
Adam Boyko
Steve Shiers
Mike Wrubleski
Peter Lawrence
Phil McDonald
Trevor Gunderson
Shawn Taylor
Mark Foster
Robin Baillie
Harley Borlee
Stuart Hughes
Dave Jetz
Zane Westerbeek

General Manager: Todd McCallum

Sport Director: Andy Holmwood

Team H&R Block would like to thank our sponsors for your support and dedication to our riders and to the sport of cycling in Canada.

www.hrblock.ca
www.louisgarneau.com
www.directcash.net
www.stikeman.com
www.e-caps.com
www.spccard.ca
www.sixrealestate.ca
www.defeet.com
www.spinervals.ca
www.yakima.com
www.curiouscommunications.com
www.mountainviewroasterie.com
www.cranked.ca