November 15/09 18:32 pm - New Name and New Roster for Colavita Women's Cycling Team

Posted by Editoress on 11/15/09
 

Tina Pic and Rachel Heal Announce Roster for Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light

Success is always sweet but with a name like the Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light, it’s almost guaranteed.  And that’s just what Directeur Sportifs Tina Pic and Rachel Heal have in mind for the team they will lead next season.

Now retired from competitive racing, Pic, the six-time US National Criterium Champion, expects great results from the squad that she and Heal have assembled. “The strong core of the Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team will be returning for next year,” said Pic.  “Plus we’ve signed some real stand-outs, including two-time Olympian Kate Bates and reigning US National Time Trial Champion Jessica Phillips.”

“The prospect of replacing one of the greatest female sprinters the US has ever seen seemed daunting,” said Heal.  “But Kelly Benjamin proved to be an outstanding apprentice last season and is ready to rise to the challenge.”

“We’ve also signed Theresa Cliff Ryan from Verducci Breakaway,” continued Heal. “A former US National Criterium Champion herself, Theresa has 25 gold medals from inline skating world championships so she will be a formidable force in any sprint.”

Also returning to race in Colavita/Baci colors are Cath Cheatley, Andrea Dvorak, Carmen Small, Heather Logan-Sprenger and Shontell Gauthier.  For 2010, Colavita/Baci has also signed former Olympian and Lithuanian National champion Modesta Vzesniauskaite and current New Zealand National Criterium Champion Rushlee Buchanan.

Adding to the firepower of the Colavita/Baci team are ultra-light Xenith SL frames from Jamis Bicycles, featuring Jamis' revolutionary Near Net Molding technology. Entering its third season as official bike sponsor, Jamis customized the ultra-light SL frames with a “Baci Blue” paint scheme to coordinate with the team kit.

“Last year, we dominated criteriums,” said Pic.  “The 2010 Colavita/Baci squad is really well-rounded and has the potential to extend our winning record to all types of racing, including time trials and stage races.”  The team will hold its training camp in mid-March in southern California in advance of the San Dimas Stage Race and Redlands Bicycle Classic.

Press release