December 19/01 5:16 am - Navigators and Ofoto/Lombardi 2002 Teams

Posted by Editor on 12/19/01
 

Navigators 2002

The Navigators Cycling Team officially announced it's 2002 line-up today, but perhaps the most significant news is the acknowledgement that Italy's most famous frame builder will be making it's team debut in the U.S. professional peloton. The Navigators Cycling Team will be riding Colnago bicycles, making it the first time the world's most famous builder has sponsored a U.S. based professional team. "We are very excited about the new arrangement with Colnago and their U.S. importer Trialtir-USA," said team director Ed Beamon. "Ernesto Colnago has long created the finest in quality and performance, and is notoriously discriminating in his choice of teams and markets. It is a great privilege and an honor to have the support of such a legendary institution."

Colnago will be joined by returning sponsors Fi:zi'k, Stella Azzurra, Thomson, and Speedplay in creating a classically styled performance masterpiece that blends time-tested tradition with the latest in innovative cycling technology. The frame of choice will be a custom painted CT-1 Titanium with a "B-Stay" carbon rear triangle and Campagnolo gruppo. Trialtir-USA is the exclusive importer of Colnago in the United States, and the Texas based company is also the North American representative for other Navigators Team sponsors: Biemme Sport, Northwave and Limar as well as Campagnolo. "We are thrilled to have the two greatest names in Italian Cycling join our elite core of industry sponsors," stated Ray Cipollini, the team's business manager. "Colnago and Campagnolo are two names that belong together in the tradition of Italian beauty and perfection."

The 2002 team retains nine riders from the current squad, including Americans Chris Baldwin, Todd Littlehales, Burke Swindlehurst, and U.S. Pro Criterium Champion Kirk O'Bee, as well as Russians Vassili Davidenko and Oleg Grichkine, Italian Siro Camponogara, New Zealand's Glen Mitchell, and 2001 Canadian National road Champion Mark Walters. Four exciting new additions should make this most competitive Navigators team to date. At 26, Michigan's Brian Sheedy makes his professional debut with the New Jersey based squad after spending most of 2001 on the Belgian amateur circuit. American Ryan Guay will bring two years of professional experience to the group coming from the Colorado based 7-Up team. Australia's Thomas Leaper, 26, brings several years of international experience to the squad, having spent his last two seasons with the Italian Panaria team. Tom is solid in the time trial, and a very capable stage racer and his experience will certainly increase the team's depth. Finally, the team brings 2000 Olympian Ciaran Power (25) across the pond from Ireland in search of a new pot of gold. A fine sprinter with grand tour experience, Ciaran adds another dimension to the team's winning capabilities. A former Milk Ras winner, Ciaran was also the bronze medallist in the 1999 "B" World Championships.

Roster

Chris Baldwin, 27 (USA)
Siro Camponogara, 25 (ITA)
Vassili Davidenko, 32 (RUS)
Oleg Grichkine, 27 (RUS)
Ryan Guay, 25 (USA)
Thomas Leaper, 26 (AUS)
Todd Littlehales, 29 (USA)
Glen Mitchell, 30 (NZL)
Kirk O'Bee, 25 (USA)
Ciaran Power, 25 (IRL)
Brian Sheedy, 26 (USA) *neo-pro
Burke Swindlehurst, 29 (USA)
Mark Walters, 26 (CAN)


Ofoto/Lombardi Sports Racing Team

Canadian Greg Sieniewicz is a member of a new US pro team that register as a UCI Tier III squad. The team will race primarily in the U.S.

Roster

John Brady (Irl)
Andrew Crater (USA)
Peter Devore (USA)
John Durso (USA)
Russell Hamby (USA)
James Hodnett (Irl)
Devin Hoff-Weekes (USA)
Tim Larkin (USA)
Reto Lauper (Sui)
Peter Lopinto (USA)
Colby Pearce (USA)
Erik Saunders (USA)
Greg Sieniewicz (Can)
Jackson Stewart (USA)
John Van Heel (USA)