Sun Valley, ID, — Today SCOTT USA announced the addition of Engin Yesilyemis to its US bicycle group. Engin will join the bike marketing department in the Sun Valley offices. “Engin is full of energy and enthusiasm, which is just what this growing bike company needs to continue to thrive,” commented Adrian Montgomery, Marketing Director.

Engin Yesilyemis was born on July 4, 1974 in Izmir, Turkey. He started his bicycle adventures at a young age and in 1998 he had his first taste of competitive mountain biking. His interest in racing led him to become a race promoter in his hometown, organizing their first mountain bike racing series. As the series grew in popularity, he successfully added Izmir to the Turkish Cup. Presently this great costal city in Turkey continues to host UCI sanctioned events, which earns athletes valuable points that can land them on the Olympic squad. Engin’s career in the cycling industry began aiding the Turkish Bianchi distributor in opening their first retailer. He also worked with them developing programs to boost brand awareness in Asia and Eastern Europe. Since relocating to the United States, he’s been employed at respectable shops in Las Vegas and Boise, ID. Engin still enjoys racing bicycles and is a CAT 3 competitor on the road, an Expert in MTB and Cat 1-2 in Cyclo-Cross. Engin also has a BA in Psychology.

Engin will be responsible for media relations including price and spec inquiries, web content for the Scott bicycle website and event coordinating. Bike media is encouraged to contact Engin for technical information, fact checking and test product tracking.

Source: Adrian Montgomery

Tustin, California - California-based Sports Engine LLC’s MOTOR TABS™ Fluid Replacement System, the official sports drink of Ironman triathlon world champion Michellie Jones and several top professional cycling teams, recently secured distribution in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. In addition, the company significantly expanded its domestic sales force by adding two rep groups and three independent outside sales representatives.”The brand continues to chart growth in the United States, generating trial, traction and turns,” said Greg Sellers, Sports Engine’s manager. “Coming out of Interbike, the global interest is building and we’re looking forward to developing long-term relationships with our new international partners, helping them succeed in their respective countries.”

Upgrade Bikes Ltd. is the new lead-out force in the UK, while Endurance Nutrition (Canada), Mexico’s 3atlon and Puerto Rico’s Bike are creating more distribution in-roads on this side of the Atlantic.

MOTOR TABS’ new rep groups include Modus Sport Group (Alaska, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and western Wyoming), Ptarmigan Associates (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and eastern Wyoming). The independent outside sales representatives include: Phil Godkin (Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin), and James Brackett (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.). Former road pro cyclist and current independent sales rep Scott Fortner also takes over the company’s sales efforts in its backyard – Southern California.

In 2008, Sellers says the brand will continue supporting pro and elite amateur triathletes and cycling teams, including Michellie Jones, who won the 2006 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii’s punishing climate drinking MOTOR TABS. Among the cycling teams are AEG-TOSHIBA-JetNetwork Professional Cycling Team, A & F Pro Development Cycling Team, BMW-Bianchi Elite Women’s Cycling Team, Cheerwine Women’s Elite Cycling Team, NERAC Professional Cycling Team, Pasadena Athletic Association Professional Cycling Team and Socalcycling.com’s Elite Squad.

Designed for endurance athletes, each 20 gram tablet delivers 250 milligrams of sodium, 75 milligrams of potassium, and 16 grams of carbohydrate (dextrose, sucrose and maltodextrin). MOTOR TABS’ air-tight, waterproof, individual packaging makes for clean, easy bottle refilling during training and racing. Athletes are encouraged to find their own preferred strength – 1, 1.5 or 2 tablets per bottle. Dissolution takes just a few minutes and there’s no need to shake the bottle. With no residual settling, cleaning bottles and hydration systems is quick and easy, too.

Currently available in Fruit Punch, Lemon-Lime and Orange (available in 24-ct. boxes), the company will launch Grape, and a 12-ct. variety pack, into the marketplace in early 2008.

Hutchinson Outfits Team Redline with TUBELESS for Mercer Cup USGP

November 13, 2007-Trenton, NJ-Hutchinson Tires announced today the arrival of the first shipment of new Tubeless Ready Cyclo-Cross tires to their New Jersey warehouse. The new technology - which has been peaking interest across the country during the prime time of cross season - promises a more compliant, flat free ride from a tubeless, clincher type cyclo-cross tire.

Hutchinson’s French tire production facility has been working feverishly to produce the first production batch of the tires and fresh out of the molds, the tires were shipped to Hutchinson North America’s headquarters in Trenton, NJ. Dealers will be able to order the new rubber from Quality Bicycle Products as well as a host of other Distributors as early as next week.

The date and location of the Tubeless Ready CX tires arrival is significant because the nation’s best cross riders will be converging on the Trenton area this coming weekend to contest the 3^rd and 4^th rounds of the Crank Brothers USGP at Mercer Park. Fittingly, Team Redline which has been running Hutchinson’s standard clincher cross tires this season will be the first to put the Tubeless Ready CX tires through their paces in competition, just down the road from Hutchinson’s North American headquarters.

The Piranha CX is a semi slick fast rolling tire with low-profile central and cornering knobs and is best used on dry and smoother terrain. The Bulldog CX features a more aggressive tread and is intended for softer muddier ground where traction is a priority. The new tires will feature the same specs as the standard clincher tires with the one exception being the bead. In an effort to provide riders with an opportunity to ride lower pressure and suppler tires without the difficulty of gluing tubulars, Hutchinson will equip the new Piranha CX and Bulldog CX Tubeless Ready cyclo-cross tires with a tubeless bead of the same shape as Hutchinson’s Road Tubeless tires. The tires can be used as a standard tube-type tire or as tubeless using Shimano Dura Ace SL wheels with the addition of Hutchinson’s Fast’Air latex sealant.

Piranha CX

700×34c

127 tpi

405 grams

Folding Tubeless Bead

MSRP- $49.95

Color- Silver

Bulldog CX

700×34c

127 tpi

405 grams

Folding Tubeless Bead

MSRP- $49.95

Color- Silver

Team Redline Roster

Kristi Berg from Seattle, WA - Elite Woman

Kevin Bradford Parish of Spokane, WA - Elite Men

Jacob Rathe of Beaverton, OR - Junior Men

Chad Berg of Seattle, WA - Master Men-Team Helper

Dan Norton of Roslyn, WA - Master Men

Logan Owen of Bremerton, WA - Junior Boys

About Hutchinson Tires North America

Hutchinson Tires NA is a division of Hutchinson Worldwide based in Paris, France, a leading manufacturer of industrial rubber products. Hutchinson Tires has been producing high quality bicycle tires, tubes and accessories since 1890.

Website: http://www.hutchinsontires.com

AEG ANNOUNCES ROUTE DETAILS FOR
2008 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL CYCLING ROAD RACE
World-Class Cycling Field to Compete Across 650 Miles of California
Roadway in Eight-Day Stage Race

LOS ANGELES (November 13, 2007) – Specific route details for the 2008 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race were revealed today by AEG, presenter of the third-annual event. A Tour de France-style cycling road race, the 2008 Amgen Tour of California will challenge the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding 650-mile course from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena, February 17-24, 2008.

The 2007 race drew more than 1.6 million spectators, surpassing the inaugural year’s turnout and setting records in attendance for a single sporting event in California, as well as for any cycling event ever held in the United States. One of the most anticipated professional cycling races in the United States, the 2008 Amgen Tour of California will be staged over an even more challenging route. Featuring elite professional teams and athletes from around the world, the 2008 Amgen Tour of California will bring the drama and excitement of a professional cycling stage race to the California coast for a third consecutive year while showcasing more than 650 miles of scenic California highways, roadways and coastline drives.

Scheduled over eight consecutive days from February 17-24, 2008, the race will visit
12 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, with communities along the route getting the chance to see, firsthand, a lineup of some of the best and most recognizable teams and cyclists in the world. Host cities for the Prologue and seven stages include: Palo Alto-Stanford University (new in 2008), Sausalito, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Modesto (new in 2008), San Jose, Seaside, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita and Pasadena (new in 2008).

“The challenging geographical features and picturesque landscape of California provide the perfect combination of elements for a world-class cycling event,” said Kristin Bachochin, senior director of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “For the third year of the Amgen Tour of California, we remain committed to upgrading and enhancing every element of the race experience for the cyclists and spectators by creating an even more challenging and exciting race.”

Highlights of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California race route include:

Prologue: Palo Alto-Stanford University (Sunday, February 17, 2008)
At 1 p.m., riders will kick off the 2008 Amgen Tour of California with a short, but intense, individual time trial of just more than two miles. The flat and fast route will likely take each individual cyclist less than five minutes to finish. Although it is short, the Prologue, sponsored by CSC, will be packed with excitement and high speed. The Stanford Oval will give spectators the chance to see the riders complete a full 360-degree loop before they head to the finish line at the intersection of Palm Dr. and Museum Way on the Stanford University campus.

Stage 1: Sausalito to Santa Rosa (Monday, February 18, 2008)
(Start time: 11 a.m.) Starting on the northern side of the San Francisco Bay, Stage 1 will cover nearly 100 miles from Sausalito to Santa Rosa. The stage, sponsored by Herbalife, begins with a climb from Mill Valley up to Mt. Tamalpais State Park before turning toward Muir Beach. The relatively flat route will take the riders north toward Bodega Bay and Coleman Valley Road, a landmark climb in Northern California. Spectators can watch the stage win unfold as the field heads downhill from Occidental for three finishing circuit laps in downtown Santa Rosa. In previous years, the Santa Rosa fans have set the mark for one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds of the entire race.

Stage 2: Santa Rosa to Sacramento (Tuesday, February 19, 2008)
(Start time: 10 a.m.) A scenic start through several Sonoma County wineries will quickly turn into one of the most significant climbs of the race as Stage 2, sponsored by Union Bank of California, takes the peloton east en route to the state’s capital, Sacramento. Twelve miles from the start, Trinity Road’s vertical climbs and treacherous decent into the wineries of Napa Valley will make it one of the most difficult climbs of the entire race, as proven during the 2007 Amgen Tour of California. Continuing east past Lake Berryessa, the peloton will head through the cities of Winters and Davis, which recently was named the best cycling town in the United States by Bicycle Magazine. With a quick turn to the north, the route will follow the Sacramento River to the Tower Bridge and on to Capitol Mall in Sacramento. The stage concludes with three circuit laps through downtown, finishing on the front steps of California’s Capitol building, a perfect viewing location for race spectators.

Stage 3: Modesto to San Jose (Wednesday, February 20, 2008)
(Start time: 10 a.m.) A new course for the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, Stage 3 will begin with a neutral start of parade laps through Modesto’s revitalized downtown area before heading south through California’s scenic farmlands. After passing through Patterson, the cyclists will encounter a defining portion of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. A 26-mile section full of twists and turns with constant climbing will take the riders past the rugged beauty of the Frank Raines Regional Park, leading to a relentless climb over the backside of Mt. Hamilton. With an elevation of 4,360 feet, Mt. Hamilton will be one of the highest elevations ever reached in the Amgen Tour of California. After the descent, the riders will head to Sierra Road, another epic climb. Once the riders crest Sierra Road, the peloton will complete the course with a quick 18-mile run into the finish line in San Jose.

Stage 4: Seaside to San Luis Obispo (Thursday, February 21, 2008)
(Start time: 10 a.m.) The remarkable views of Stage 4 have distinguished it as a race favorite for riders and spectators alike. Beginning in Seaside with a short neutral lap and traveling along a similar route to previous years, the peloton will head south on scenic Highway 1 where sweeping vistas of Big Sur and redwood forests flank the Pacific Ocean. At more than 130 miles and with three KOMs (”King of the Mountain” competitions), Stage 4, sponsored by Olevia, is the longest stage of the race and has proven to be a test for the riders with consistently hilly and technical terrain. The long day will take the riders down the California coastline by Hearst Castle before shifting inland toward the finish line at the intersection of Osos St. and Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo.

Stage 5: Solvang Individual Time Trial (Friday, February 22, 2008)
(Start time: noon) The quaint Danish village of Solvang annually hosts some of the ProTour teams for training camps as well as some of the largest cycling events in the United States. At only 15 miles, slightly longer than the 2007 individual time trial and with the start and finish lines located only one block apart, Stage 5, sponsored by ADT Security Services, is an ideal location for spectators to view the race. The route will highlight some of the most beautiful areas of Central California, winding through quaint towns, vineyards, farms, and one short, but steep, climb. This year’s short, flat and fast time trial will create a challenging test for the riders and is expected to be a decisive day of the race.

Stage 6: Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita (Saturday, February 23, 2008)
(Start time: 11 a.m.) Stage 6 could be the pivotal stage for the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. The stage is one of the longest at 105 miles, and it is heavy on climbs with four KOMs, three sprints and a demanding finishing circuit in Santa Clarita. With the individual time trial late in the race again this year, there is the potential for several riders to be separated by just a few seconds as they begin the stage. After a start in view of the Santa Barbara shoreline, this stage, sponsored by Health Net, will take the peloton to Highway 192 and through the town of Carpinteria. The route will then take the riders on Highway 150 where they will face two KOMs before passing Lake Casitas and riding into the scenic town of Ojai. The third KOM will be just a few miles outside Ojai, and then the course will head downhill into Santa Paula. The ominous Balcom Canyon will be the final climb of the day, where in 2007 nearly 25,000 fans formed a narrow corridor for the riders. The cyclists will end the day with three circuit laps in Santa Clarita that finish at McBean Parkway at the Valencia Town Center.

Stage 7: Santa Clarita to Pasadena (Sunday, February 24, 2008)
(Start time: TBD) By configuring the final stage of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California as a difficult point-to-point road race, there is a chance to see an overall lead change, as well as a change in the KOM jersey leader on the last day. The first 25 miles of Stage 7, sponsored by Amgen, include a gradual climb from Santa Clarita to the intersection of Angeles Forest Road. The route continues uphill to the highest elevation ever reached by the Amgen Tour of California on the towering Millcreek Summit (4,906 feet). Descending with an eight-mile run to Angeles Crest Highway, the route begins a fast plunge to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. After more than 60 miles from Santa Clarita to Pasadena, with the mountains and the Rose Bowl serving as the backdrop, the peloton will complete the stage and the race, with six five-mile laps on a very demanding circuit around the Rose Bowl. Organizers expect a hard sprint to the finish; as with all the Grand Tours of Europe, winning the final stage of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California is a prize coveted by the riders.

For complete downloadable course maps, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. Additional resources such as log sheets, elevation profiles and recommended viewing locations will be added to the Web site in the coming weeks.

Colorado Springs, CO - CTS Athlete, coach, and three-time US National Cyclocross Champion Katie Compton proved she can win on both sides of the Atlantic on Sunday in Pijnacker, Netherlands, by winning her first UCI Cyclocross World Cup event. Racing through thick mud and against a strong field, Compton rode to a convincing win wearing the blue skinsuit reserved for the top-ranked rider in UCI points.

The wet and muddy conditions in Pijnacker were a far cry from the mostly dry conditions Compton has raced in thus far this season, but in the very first lap it was clear her technical skills were up to the challenge. Even Daphny Van Den Brand, the recently-crowned European Cyclocross Champion and winner of the previous World Cup event in Kalmthout, Belgium, couldn’t hold the furious pace set by the American champion. Compton opened up a sizable gap to her competitors by the end of the first lap, and never looked back. She gradually built on her lead throughout the 40-minute race, winning by 54 seconds over Van Den Brand.

Her coach, CTS Premier Coach Craig Griffin, commented, “Katie’s won a lot of races, but there’s something special about winning a World Cup race. It was a big goal for her this year, not only because it’s an important victory, but also because it’s an important step toward achieving her ultimate goal of winning the World Championship in January.”

With her win in Pijnacker, Compton became the second American woman to win a UCI Cyclocross World Cup event. Fellow CTS Athlete and Colorado Springs resident Alison Dunlap won a World Cup race at the Grand Prix des Pays-Bas, Heerlen, Netherlands, in 2002. A Mountain Bike World Champion in 2001 and two-time Olympian, the now-retired Dunlap was coached by CTS Premier Coach Dean Golich.

Source: Kevin Dessart

Irvine, CA (Nov 12, 2007) - Felt Bicycles is excited to announce the extension of its agreement with the Slipstream/Chipotle Pro Cycling Team. Considered by most to be America’s new top pro cycling team, with a significantly bigger and more international roster, the team will be racing Felt bikes through 2009. Some of the previously announced high profile 2008 additions to the team include Dave Zabriskie (USA), Christian Vandevelde (USA), Tom Danielson (USA), David Millar (GBR), Magnus Backstedt (SWE) and Julian Dean (NZL).

It is no secret that the team is planning an aggressive worldwide racing campaign, with an extended ‘08 European schedule that will include the spring classics and an eye on an invite to the 2008 Tour de France.

The team will continue to race Felt’s top-of-the-line production products including the Felt DA, F1, F1 Sprint and Z1 frames and forks. The 2008 team bike graphic package will compliment their new ‘08 clothing kit and will also, as expected, contain their distinctive argyle design.

The 2008 Slipstream/Chipotle Felt F1 Road Bike

The 2008 Slipstream/Chipotle Felt DA TT Bike

In addition to the pro team, Felt will also be supporting the Slipstream developmental program(s) which have proven to be highly successful in both exposing the sport of bike racing to new audiences and acting as a launching point to the elite level of the sport.

“We are thrilled to be secure with Felt going forward. Their products, capabilities and attention to detail are first class,” said team director Jonathan Vaughters. Their designers have already begun working with our staff and riders to insure everything is in place, beginning with our opening ‘08 event. Clearly, they are as excited as we are and we are fortunate to have such a great partner.”

Of the extension, Felt company president Bill Duehring said, “We are simply delighted to be a part of this program. Felt is buzzing with enthusiasm as Jonathan and his team embark on this next step in their journey as a pro team. To say we are excited to be a part of this would be a gross understatement.”

As in the past, fans of the team can expect to see continued promotional support by Felt, including print and online advertising, broadcast exposure, event and in-store collateral and more. New in 2008 will be the introduction of a Slipstream/Chipotle replica F1 road bike available exclusively through Felt dealers. Additional lesser expensive models will follow.

Slipstream/Chipotle is scheduled to formally debut its 2008 roster in Boulder, CO, November 14, 2007 at the Boulder Theatre. This event will include a screening of the pilot for the team’s reality TV show, which will potentially air this year, plus a short film highlighting the history of Slipstream’s rise to the top of American cycling.

The main attraction of the evening will be the introduction of the 2008 team. There will also be a live auction, dedicated to benefit the Davis Phinney Foundation, an organization designed to accelerate Parkinson’s research. Davis’ son, Taylor, rides for Slipstream/Chipotle and won both the 2007 Junior World TT Championships and the 2007 US National Pursuit Championships. A team-issue Felt F1 will be one of the many auction items.

Source: RAAM November Newsletter

Road Cycling Etiquette

Road riding with a group can be fun and safe if done with common sense and courtesy. Below are some guidelines we all need to follow in order to maximize our safety and enjoyment while riding with our fellow cyclists amidst the motorized vehicles, pedestrians and roadside obstacles that we may encounter during the ride.

Stay focused and attentive
Keep an eye on the road ahead and other riders around you. Be attentive of audible and hand signals by riders warning others of pedestrians, potholes, parked cars or other roadside obstacles. Anticipate sudden moves by other riders as they swerve or brake hard to avoid an obstacle.

Follow traffic rules
Obey stop signs and traffic signals. Blowing through red lights and stop signs is a recipe for disaster. Be alert for pedestrians, especially for children, who might suddenly dart into the street.

Ride predictably
Make it easy for other riders as well as vehicular traffic to anticipate your next move. Do this by riding in a straight line, keeping a consistent pace and by not slamming your brakes. If you need to slow down a bit, adjust your speed by feathering your brakes.

Use hand signals
Use hand signals when you turn or slow down. Also, use hand signals to point out road hazards such as potholes, glass, parked cars alongside the road and other obstacles you might encounter during a group ride.

Stay out of the way of vehicular traffic
Avoid vehicular traffic by riding on the right side of the line separating the road from its shoulder. Be careful not to ride too deep into the road shoulder, as there tends to be debris like broken glass, rocks and other road hazards there.

Ride single-file
Since most roads can barely accommodate a bicycle alongside motorized vehicles, ride single-file. Riding two or more abreast on most roads is a sure way to annoy drivers and could cause a crash if the rider next to you suddenly swerves in your direction to avoid an obstacle.

No overlapping wheels
As you ride in a paceline, avoid overlapping wheels - riding with your front wheel next to the rear wheel of the bicycle in front of you. This way, if the rider in front of you suddenly swerves in your direction, he or she doesn’t take you down as their rear wheel smacks into your front wheel.

SRAM Corporation is pleased to announce that effective today it has completed its acquisition of Zipp. This fast closing period of 45 days is the result of great teamwork between SRAM, Zipp and the bank community. It is especially fast given the choppy condition of the capital markets and speaks to the robust combination of the two companies.

Customers should continue to use the existing respective SRAM and Zipp channels for orders, customer service and information. There are no changes in how either company is operating its business.

Now that the transaction is complete, the management teams will be meeting to discuss how to optimize operations for the benefit of our customers. As previously announced those plans will include:

1. The Zipp management team will remain intact and continue to report to Andy Ording. Andy will report to Stan Day. There will be no layoffs as a result of the transaction.

2. The current high-tech Indianapolis location will remain the manufacturing center for Zipp wheels and components.

3. The Zipp product warranties will be honored and continue to be serviced in the Indianapolis facility.

4. The Zipp distribution network will be maintained.

5. All Zipp contracts and business relationships will be honored.

As previously noted in the Letter of Intent release on Sep 21:
Stan Day, CEO of SRAM says: “Zipp is a great company and respected brand, with a strong management team, advanced technology and superb manufacturing capability. We look forward to bringing both successful companies together and synergistically delivering a growing strategic range of products to our customers.”

Andy Ording, President of Zipp says: “Zipp has remained focused on market defining technology development in advanced composites and aerodynamics. After nearly two decades of carbon product manufacturing the SRAM opportunity provides additional horsepower and improved global market leverage. SRAM has a fine reputation for acquisitions and culture integration, affording us the opportunity to broaden our foundation on which the Zipp team can build for the long term.”

Further information and more detailed plans will be available as they are finalized.

www.sram.com - www.zipp.com

Source: Michael Zellmann