NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

Hello, this is Hernando.

I’m not going to be posting on this website much for 2011, if at all.  But, i got some PRESS RELEASES about a couple of team rosters that I had to shout out to the darkness.

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SPECIAL ED Old Uglies and Young Hotnesses

USA Cycling’s Division III ‘Overall Club of the Year’ Looks to Build on 2010 Season

Palo Alto, Calif. — Team Specialized Racing, USA Cycling’s Division III “Overall Team of the Year”, has finalized its 2011 roster, looking to build on a 2010 season that saw successes from the US to Europe. With a legacy that dates back to professional teams from the early 1990s (Subaru-Montgomery, US Postal, Discovery Channel), the team will include eight returning juniors and six new riders, all ages 14-18.

2010 was the best yet for Team Specialized Racing both domestically and abroad. At the UCI Nations Cup seven-stage Tour de l’abitibi in Canada, the team earned a stage win, 2nd on general classification, and 3rd on team general classification. The team achieved four podiums at USA Road National Championships while Matt Valencia won a Junior Track National Championship. Eamon Lucas, Peter Taylor, Torey Philipp and Marcus Smith represented the USA National Team in Europe, including the UCI Junior World Time Trial Championships and junior edition of Paris-Roubaix.

“2010 was a very successful campaign and we have even higher expectations for the coming year,” said Team Director Larry Nolan. “In 2011 we’re expanding beyond our Northern California home base and adding talented new riders from Southern California, Colorado, Montana and Georgia.”

The team is in its fourth year with Specialized and will be riding Tarmac SL3 and Tarmac SL2 race bikes equipped with SRAM Red. It will also utilize Specialized S-Works helmets and Specialized S-Works shoes.

“We’re super excited about our relationship with Team Specialized Racing and supporting the development of the next generation of US riders,” said Mike Sinyard, President and Founder of Specialized. “While our presence is more obvious with ProTeams such as HTC-Columbia, we’re also dedicated to up-and-coming riders aspiring to reach the top ranks of the sport.”

In the coming year, the team will focus on the USA Cycling Junior Road National Championships in June, Track National Championships in July, and Tour de l’abitibi, also in July. The team will also contest a full schedule of regional and national road races, criteriums, time trials and stage races.

Returning Junior Team Members, and 2011 racing ages

* David Benkoski, age 18, Menlo Park, CA
* Chris Laberge, age 17, Napa, CA
* James Laberge, age 18, Napa, CA
* Andrew Lanier Jr, age 18, Gilroy, CA
* Jack Maddux, age 14, Fresno, CA
* Torey Philipp, age 18, El Dorado Hills, CA
* Marcus Smith, age 17, Pleasanton, CA
* Matt Valencia, age 15, Los Altos, CA – current junior national champion

New Junior Team Members for 2011

* Diego Binatena, age 15, Playa Del Rey, CA
* Dean Haas, age 17, Denver, CO
* Phillip O’Donnell, age 15, Suwanee, GA – current junior national champion
* Jeff Perrin, age 18, Lakewood, CO
* Kyle Torres, age 17, Laguna Niguel, CA
* Willy Zellmer, age 18, Missoula, MT

Unique to Team Specialized Racing is a masters squad comprising former Olympians, professional cyclists and amateur world and national champions, who assist in the development of younger teammates. Junior team coach Billy Innes along with eight returning masters riders and legacy members lend leadership and guidance with training, racing together in Pro 1-2 events, and the responsibilities expected of the elite, young riders.

Masters Team Members

* Rob Anderson – world champion, current national champion
* Chris D’Alusisio
* Marco Hellman – national champion
* Billy Innes – national champion and USA Cycling coach
* Dean Laberge
* Chris Lyman – national champion
* Kevin Metcalfe – world champion
* Larry Nolan – world and national champion, USA Cycling coach
* Craig Roemer – national champion

Legacy Members

* Ken Carpenter – Olympian and national champion
* Mike McCarthy – Olympian and world champion
* Thomas Weisel – national champion

Founders / Directors

* Steve Cassani – current racer
* Fred St. Goar – former racer, team physician
* Wyatt Weisel – national champion

In January the junior team will be coming off a Christmas team camp and begin participation in the Northern California Early Bird Criterium Training Series, where they give back by mentoring racers new to the sport.

Follow Team Specialized Racing at www.teamspecializedracing.com, , and .
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California Giant Strawberries … the REAL NorCal Champs

California Giant/Specialized Announces 2011 Cycling Team

(December 6, 2010) California Giant Berry Farms, one of the nation’s largest grower-shippers of fresh berries, has sponsored a cycling team for ten years and is proud of the significant growth of this program with regard to rider successes and fan loyalty over the years. The company is also committed to the programs continued success and contributing to the health of American consumers by providing an abundant, healthy & delicious product. California Giant believes in programs like cycling and other organizations that send positive messages about the importance of combining diet and exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The 2010 Cal Giant Cycling Team saw Andrew Talansky win the US National U23 TT Championship and Steve Reaney the US Elite Criterium Championship, throw in a few NRC Stage wins or podiums and over 70 podium placing’s. The 2010 squad was named VeloNews “Amateur Team of the Year” and Andrew Talansky “Elite Rider of the Year.”

For 2011, the team will promote the future of American cycling, fielding 9, U-23 riders and focusing on the development of young talent in America. “We are excited about the young talent we have signed for the 2011 season. We’ve had great success getting kids to the next level, kids like Lucas Euser, Max Jenkins and Andrew Talansky,” stated Anthony Gallino, Team Director.

Teaming up with Specialized, the California Giant Cycling team will be riding the Tarmac SL3 and S-Works Shiv. For 2011 the team will be wearing Specialized S-Works BG shoes and saddles and taking advance of BG Fit technology to optimize their position on the bike. “Supporting the California Giant Berry farm’s team allows Specialized to get links into top amateur athletes and top races all over the country. With a focus on developing young talent and supporting established racers – the Cal Giant team has a tremendous reach for Specialized. With a top notch program focused on developing National Champions year after year – the California Giant team has built on success year over year” says Ian Dewar, USA Partnership Manager for Specialized.

These Bikes will be powered by SRAM drive trains and ZIPP wheel sets. SQUADRA returns as official clothing sponsor. Other key team sponsors include Oakley Sunglasses, Clif Bar, Showers Pass, and Base Performance Nutrition.

The 2011 team roster
Jared Barrileaux- Petaluma, CA
John Bennett-San Luis Obispo, CA**
Tyler Brandt- Berkeley, CA**
Evan Huffman- Elk Grove, CA**
John Hunt- Fairfax, CA
Eamon Lucas- Pacific Grove, CA**
James Mattis- Mountain View, CA
Keith Miller- Los Gatos, CA
Jesse Moore- Sacramento, CA
Ozzie Olmos- San Luis Obispo, CA
Sam Pickman- San Jose, CA
Steve Reaney-San Jose, CA
Chris Stastny-Vacaville, CA**
Benny Swedberg- Kent, WA**
Peter Taylor- Walnut Creek, CA**
Brandon Trafton- Fresno, CA**
Nathan Wilson-Boulder, CO**
** Denotes Under-23 aged riders

The team comes together in January in Watsonville California for a training camp and to finalize the race programs for the individual riders. Team members will have the opportunity to tour California Giant corporate offices and meet the staff. Ultimately, between training and racing, team members serve as spokespersons for the company and the products they produce.
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