November 22/05 5:57 am - Gears Racing Changes Name & Adds Steve Bauer

Posted by Editor on 11/22/05
 

Gears Racing Adds Partner and ... Steve Bauer
Courtesy Team R.A.C.E.

Kevin Wallace, President of The Gears Racing Institute is pleased to announce an exciting new corporate partnership with the Energy Savings Group and a name change to Team R.A.C.E.

The evolution of Gears Racing into Team R.A.C.E. allows for the continuation of the cycling investment legacy started by Mark Bonham of Stoney Ridge Estate Winery, and the ongoing support of Specialized Canada, Shimano Canada and Gears Bike Shop. Its continuing mandate will be to develop international caliber mountain and road cycling athletes. "This is an exciting year for Team R.A.C.E.", Kevin Wallace enthused, "With strong new sponsors and the addition of Steve Bauer to the development effort as a partner, mentor and elite level rider, I hope to see our team compete at the highest levels of the sport".

In 2006, a very important second mandate will be introduced to the organization. Every member of Team R.A.C.E. will be an ambassador for a new charitable organization called the R.A.C.E. Foundation (Race Against Cancer Everywhere). The R.A.C.E Foundation will raise funds for a number of cancer charities through active lifestyle community events such as the existing Gears 24 Hour Spin, Coast to Coast ride across Canada and the Tour For Kids cycling adventure. Over $3 million has been raised from these events in the last three years.

"We are excited about being part of this unique partnership", said Paul DeVries, Energy Savings Group President. "Our three year financial commitment to developing elite and young cyclists in Canada is important, but doing so while providing free promotional support for the R.A.C.E Foundation in its race against cancer is what really counts. We have structured the relationship such that there is absolutely no cost to the R.A.C.E Foundation. Our intent is to raise awareness for what they are doing every time one of our riders gets on their bike."

Energy Savings' investment in Team R.A.C.E will help provide the resources for a comprehensive development program aimed at bringing young cyclists to a level at which they can compete internationally. Team R.A.C.E. will support the mountain bike program, led by Olympian Kiara Bisaro and former National Champion Ricky Federau, and the espoir development road team under the direction of Mike Moore and Dan Lefebvre. The team for 2006 includes:

Elite Road Team

Steve Bauer
Michael Moore
Dan Lefebvre
Ryan Roth
Dave Vukets
Matt Guse
Adam Thuss
Thomas Foster
Jeff Schiller
Craig deVeer (tandem)
Gene Della Seiga (tandem)

Elite Mountain Bike Team
Kiara Bisaro
Ricky Federau
Emily Batty
Andrew Watson
Mark Batty

Team R.A.C.E. will also present a competitive men's and women's masters racing program, and a club program that will be inclusive to cyclists of all abilities. Other sponsors in the program include Sugoi, Rock Shox, Torys LLP, The Boomerang Group and Stoney Ridge Estate Winery.