November 29/05 10:03 am - Symmetrics Cycling 2006: Norco Renews, New Sponsors Added

Posted by Editoress on 11/29/05
 

Norco renews in a big way; Shimano and Ritchey on board to support Symmetrics Cycling in 2006
Courtesy Symmetrics Cycling

Symmetrics Cycling, the 2005 #3 ranked team in the UCI America’s Continent, is proud to announce that Norco Performance Bicycles (www.norco.com) will renew as a sponsor of the team for 2006 with landmark financial and product support of a Canadian professional road team.

Norco has significantly stepped up its product commitment in sponsoring Symmetrics Cycling for the coming season. The team will be outfitted with Norco Team Carbon CRR frames and forks for training and Norco Team Carbon CRR frames for racing. In addition, Symmetrics will use the Norco Diabolique TT frame/fork for time trials. While product is paramount to the support of the Symmetrics program it is Norco’s ability to provide race technician support at selected high level Canadian events as well as a considerable financial contribution to the race team that makes this partnership so successful.

Norco, not only creates a strong line of quality bicycles, they are also Canada's largest distributor of internationally recognized cycling brands. The company is 100% Canadian owned and operated with a forty-three year history of success in domestic and international markets.

“Norco is very excited to return for our fourth season as a title bike sponsor and partner with Canada’s premier road team,” commented Peter Stace-Smith, Norco’s PR/Marketing Manager. “In the past, Norco has been regarded as primarily a mountain bike company, but through our support of the team we’ve been able to showcase our world class road bikes as well. Symmetrics is quickly becoming one of North America’s top pro teams and we are proud to be a part of their success.”

Shimano Bicycle components will be a new sponsor of the Symmetrics cycling team for 2006. The team will use Shimano components, shoes, pedals, and wheel sets exclusively. This magnitude of Shimano support for a Canadian professional team is unprecedented. Shimano equipment will adorn over 50 bicycles which will be part of the Symmetrics race program. The team will race on the latest Dura Ace 10 speed group sets and run a mixture of Dura Ace wheels, including the new Dura Ace WH-7801 carbon wheels.

Shimano’s commitment to excellence and development of continually innovative and superior products mirrors Symmetrics Cycling’s ideals. Greg Hammond, National Marketing Manager of Shimano Canada says, “Shimano Canada is proud to be the exclusive supplier of componentry, footwear and wheels for the Symmetrics racing team. We feel that the team's past achievements prove that Symmetrics is the premier road racing team in Canada and a top contender in North America. Shimano Canada is pleased to be an equipment sponsor of the team and through partnership with Norco Performance Bicycles, will provide the team with the technological edge needed to reach the podium.”

Ritchey products will also be added to the equipment line-up in 2006. Symmetrics Cycling will use top-of-the-line WCS Carbon road bars, and WCS alloy seat posts on all road bikes. In addition the team will use new Ritchey products including the WCS 4-Axis stems and the WCS all carbon road fork.

Ritchey road parts are proven in some of the toughest professional races world wide. Ritchey’s philosophy of light weight but reliable top quality materials will help to ensure success for Symmetrics Cycling. Steve Parke, GM of design at Ritchey commented, “Ritchey works with many elite level road teams in Europe and the US. Symmetrics Cycling appreciates the diverse range of widths, rises, and shapes in our product line to dial in the pro level fit they require. We appreciate their trust and genuine endorsement. Ritchey is keen to prove the merits of our new WCS carbon fork on the Norco Team Carbon CRR race bikes."