Urgent Press Release: Team Announcement

I've been itching to share this since Interbike; awesome news from our professional racing team. And yes, they're still on Masi!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kenda Pro Cycling p/b Spinergy Debuts Industry-Supported, All-American UCI Team

COLUMBUS, Ohio (October 3, 2008) – A new UCI Continental Pro Team is set to debut in 2009! The team formerly known as Team Inferno has become Kenda Pro Cycling presented by Spinergy for 2009 and beyond, signing a talented roster to challenge the domestic road racing scene on all fronts.

While primarily a criterium team with international fire power in 2007 and 2008, the team’s management, cast of sponsors and financial backers have unanimously opted for something unique: a purely industry-supported and American-driven professional team. This means not only a 100% American roster, but all staff are US citizens as well.

“This has been a long and challenging road, but we could not be happier with the idea, or the final product!” said team Director, Chad Thompson. “We have spent 4 years learning, 4 years building and 4 years networking to make a truly special program. And, this was not all Inferno Racing’s design. Stefano Lumbaca of Kenda actually contacted us with the idea and it simply took off from there!”

While the program will miss its international contingent dearly, the concept is one that Inferno believes is important. Many teams have collapsed in this pained economy and as such, fewer teams will exist domestically in 2009. This means American racers will be without a home, and to have talented racers from abroad take the few openings that remain simply is not in the best interests of American cycling. This sport is experiencing resurgence in America, and Kenda Pro Cycling p/b Spinergy aims to have Americans at the helm.

With the addition of long-time sponsor Spinergy as the presenting sponsor, the team finds itself in the unique position of being the only domestic team backed entirely by bicycle industry support. “Apart from the newly announced Cervelo Test Team, which is a Pro Tour team, we are the only other professional team of its kind that I know of. And, we are a single citizenship team. This means our entire roster can line-up at our National Championship races!” stated Thompson.

While most sponsors have returned for 2009 through 2011, some new partners have joined to support the team in the domestic peloton and to adjust their sights on races such as the Tour de Georgia and the Tour of Missouri. Team assistant manager/rider, Remi McManus exclaimed, “There is no doubt in my mind that this team will turn heads in 2009 and that every team backer, fan and fellow competitor will be impressed!”

While the team’s complete sponsor and supporter details are to be released in the very near future, the roster has been finalized with all riders putting the ink to paper shortly after Interbike.

2009 Kenda Pro Cycling p/b Spinergy roster:

Professional – Chad Burdzilauskas, Jaime Gandara, Bennet van der Genugten, Remi McManus, Benjamin Renkema, Jacob Rytlewski, Tyler Stanfield, Timothy Swain, Scottie Weiss, Matthew Winstead.

Elite – Marco Aledia, James Baldesare, Jeffrey Braumberger, Ryan Gamm, Richard Harper, Ryan Rish, Russell Stevenson, Chadwick Thompson.

Team updates are available at www.kendaprocycling.com or www.infernoracing.org and in any issue of ROAD Magazine!

I'm really happy about this news and can't wait for the next season to begin!

Tim