July 6/15 10:29 am - SmartStop to Drop Sponsorship at End of Year

Posted by Editoress on 07/6/15
 

After announcing last year that he hoped to move the team to Canada, Team SmartStop owner Jamie Bennett has announced that with the sale of the title sponsor, the team is looking for a new sponsor for next year.  The team has Canadians Rob Britton, Zach Bell and Kris Dahl riding for it.

The full release:

Premier Sports Group, owners of Team SmartStop, a highly successful North Carolina based professional cycling team is seeking a new title sponsor to take the team into the 2016 season.

SmartStop Self Storage has been acquired by Extra Space Storage Inc., which has subsequently lead to the non-renewal of the SmartStop agreement.

SmartStop Self Storage has been an integral part of Premier Sports Group and the team since it's introduction in 2011 as presenting sponsor leading into the company taking over sponsorship of the team from Mountain Khakis in 2013.

During this time, Team SmartStop has seen a number of successes including four national championship titles, the yellow jersey at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, the overall win at the Tour of the Gila and invitations to biggest cycling races in North America. The riders, staff and owners of Premier Sports Group are extremely grateful for the opportunities the partnership with SmartStop Self Storage provided over the last four years.

Rob Britton and Zach Bell at 2015 Road Nationals

Rob Britton on his way to the overall win at Tour of the Gila 2015

Of the partnership, Premier Sports Group Owner James Bennett said: "We could not have achieved the success and growth of the program without the steadfast support of SmartStop and specifically Michael Schwartz.  Their excitement for the sport was contagious in the organization and the success that we had was directly linked to their desire to see us at the top step of the podium.  We will miss their involvement, but we understand that all good things must come to an end, and we welcome a new chapter in our organization to take this successful platform to another company interested in racing at the highest level in North America."

Premier Sports Group is focused on continuing the momentum of the team. Using this year's invitations to the major cycling events in North America to assist with the search for a new title sponsor. Premier Sports Group is committed to finding a new title sponsor for the 2016 season and beyond, and has garnered enough industry and grassroots support to make a commitment to field a team in 2016.

Bennett has full confidence a new partnership can be established to continue the growth the team has experienced over the past eight years stating: "We have weathered this storm before and always been able to improve upon this program from year to year.  While we have a great basis to field a team next year, we are looking for the RIGHT partner to represent their company and rebrand the team.  We feel that with continued access to this continent's premier events, we can provide a marketing experience like no other, but again, it is subject to finding the right company who can see the value we provide."

Team SmartStop is currently taking a three-week break from racing and will begin the second half of the season on August 3rd at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.

Press release