December 22/03 8:31 am - Replacement Squad for Saturn Announced, 2004 Division 1 Team List, Victoria Training Camp

Posted by Editoress on 12/22/03
 

Team Sports Announces The Quark Cycling Team for 2004
Courtesy Team Sports

Team Sports announced today that they have secured a 3-year sponsorship agreement with Quark, a brand division of Sofft Shoes, as the title sponsor for a women's professional cycling team. The Quark Cycling Team enters the women's professional cycling scene with the majority of the former Saturn Cycling Team roster intact and Canadian Lyne Bessette captaining the team.

The Quark Cycling Team will be managed by Team Sports, Inc. Directing the Quark Team on the road will be, former Saturn Development Director, Brett Meinke.

Quark has retained 2003 National Champion, Sarah Uhl, is negotiating with three other athletes, and is looking for two additional athletes. The Team will have its eyes on the 2004 Olympics next year.

The Quark Cycling Team will kick off the 2004 season with a California based training camp in early March, and make their competition debut at McClane Pacific, in Merced, California, on March 13.

Note: we understand that Manon Jutras and Amy Moore are two of the riders being considered for the squad, however, Jutras has also said that she is considering an offer from a European team.


UCI Releases 2004 Division 1 Team List
Courtesy UCI

Based on the document presented to the UCI and following the advice given by Ernst&Young, the Professional Cycling Council (PCC) has proceeded to the registration of the following teams as TT/I for the 2004 season:

AG2R Prévoyance (FRA)
Bankgiroloterij (NED)
Brioches La Boulangère (FRA)
Chocolade Jacques - Wincor/Nixdorf (BEL)
Cofidis , le Crédit par Téléphone (FRA)
Crédit Agricole (FRA)
De Nardi (ITA)
Euskaltel - Euskadi (ESP)
FDJeux.com (FRA)
Gerolsteiner (GER)
Illes Balears - Banesto (ESP)
Lampre (ITA)
Landbouwkrediet - Colnago (BEL)
Liberty Seguros Team (ESP)
Lotto - Domo (BEL)
Phonak Hearing Systems (SUI)
Quick Step - Davitamon (BEL)
R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover (FRA)
Rabobank (NED)
Saeco Macchine Per Caffé (ITA)
Saunier Duval - Prodir (ESP)
T-Mobile Team (GER)
Team CSC (DEN)
Vini Caldirola - Nobili Rubinetterie (ITA)

The registration of following teams is still pending:

Alessio - Bianchi (ITA)
Domina Vacanze (ITA)
Fassa Bortolo (ITA)
Kelme - Costa Blanca (ESP)
Milaneza Maia (POR)
US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor (USA)

These teams have been invited to present precisions on certain points in their files by January 8th 2004. Failing that, they will not be registered as TT/I.


Victoria Training Camp
Courtesy Dave McKinney

This year the Schwalbe Cycling Club would like to offer you, the rider, a chance to train like a pro for 9 days (December 27th-January 4th). Many of you will have time off, while others can call in sick or fake food poisoning. The point is to come out, train through the poor weather, cold rain, and the general drudgery of winter training. This training camp will help to focus your training, provide you with some structure and encourage you to train properly. All abilities are welcome. Even if you can only do part of the ride...come out!

The details:
1. There is no cost for this camp, just your interest in the Victoria cycling community.
2. Each ride will depart at 9 a.m.
3. We will meet at The Tillicum Starbucks (Grab an espresso etc. and get ready to roll)
4. We will stick to the route that you see on the calendar and ride at a reasonable pace. This is not racing, it's training; if you want to attack or ride off the front don't come.
5. The December 31st ride will meet at Mom's Cafe in Sooke. This is a race simulation so be ready to hammer. We will meet at Mom's Cafe at 9 a.m. and ride the Cardinal Law race route.

We hope to see you at some or all of the rides. If you have any questions or if you would like me to send you the calendar with the ride times/routes on it please contact: victoriatrainingcamp@hotmail.com