Team continues mission of developing young talent while adding accomplished pro riders

BOULDER, COLORADO — Team Garmin-Slipstream, the American professional cycling team dedicated to ethical sporting and developing the next generation of cycling champions, today announced six exciting additions to its 2010 roster:

Robbie Hunter – the South African joins from Barloworld and in his new role with the Garmin-Slipstream squad will be a huge asset in leading out sprinter Tyler Farrar. Garmin will also look to Hunter for various stage wins throughout the year.

Fredrik Kessiakoff – Kessiakoff is undoubtedly one of the most talented, though slightly unknown, climbers in the peloton. The Garmin team has a history of helping lesser-known riders blossom and believes Kessiakoff is no exception. The four-time Swedish mountain biking champion joins the team from Fuji-Servetto.

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- A RECORD-EIGHT TDF TEAMS WILL TAKE THE START LINE ON FI’ZI:K SADDLES-

Pozzoleone, Italy – For the first time in Tour de France history, fi’zi:k saddles is dominating the peloton as the premiere saddle supplier and sponsor to participating Pro Tour and Pro Continental teams. Of the twenty select 2009 Tour de France teams, 8 will be riding fi’zi:k saddles.

Amplified support of professional teams comes not only the heels of increased global original equipment specification, but more so from increased demand from road teams for the premiere brand. As an example, one of the non-official-fi’zi:k-sponsored TdF Pro Tour teams, has twenty team members using their brand.

Many of the 2009 Tour de France teams will using the new ultra light Antares road saddle as well as the recently introduced Ares time trail saddle. Among those cyclists using the new Antares and the new Ares is defending Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre who, after testing the final Ares version earlier this summer said, “It’s now perfect. I definitely noticed the difference between the first and final versions.” Dave Zabriskie, US National Time Trial Champion, joins Sastre in choosing both the Antares and Ares; and most of the entire Columbia-High Road will be riding the Ares time trial saddle when they line up in Montpelier on July 7th in attempt to maintain their title as the world’s number one time trial team following their 2009 Giro d’Italia TTT victory.

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American Will Ride the Tour de Suisse

Boulder, CO - Christian Vande Velde, the Garmin-Slipstream team leader who sustained major injuries after crashing out of the Giro d’Italia in May, will compete in the 2009 Tour de Suisse later this week. The event marks Vande Velde’s return to racing. The American suffered seven fractures, including five vertebrae, one rib and his pelvis during a crash in stage three of the Giro.

Team officials credit the comeback to Vande Velde’s motivation and rigorous training but caution that he is still recovering. The American, who was in the top five in last year’s Tour de France, was back on his bike just days after his final medical examinations and has kept up the pace ever since.

“I said from the beginning that I was motivated to get back into my racing season,” said Vande Velde. “To be honest, the recovery has been excruciating at times, but at the end of a long, hard day I have the satisfaction of knowing I’m doing all I can to get back to my team. I’m excited to see how Suisse goes for me.”

The Tour de Suisse, a 9-stage race, kicks off Saturday, June 13 in Liechtenstein, Switzerland.

“Christian is a fighter, and he is still recovering from very significant injuries. The Tour of Suisse will be a good gauge for him to see what kind of condition he could be in should he ride the Tour de France,” said Jonathan Vaughters. “Less than a month ago he was in a hospital bed in Italy. To come back this quickly is truly a testament to his character.”

Photo by Ken Conley

One lucky winner and three friends will get a racing package loaded with fun events, gifts, parties, and of course four premier seats at the finish line on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Proceeds benefit Bloch School of Business Students at University of Missouri - Kansas City.

Bidding began June 1st and wraps up Thursday, June 11. Learn more and make your bids at www.ebay.com/teamgarmin.

The Experience of a Lifetime at Cycling’s Biggest Race in Paris package includes:

• Experience Paris and the race’s final stage for four people. (July 25-26, 2009)
• VIP spectator access to team staging areas and events, refreshments included.
• Seats in exclusive sponsor viewing area near finish line on Champs-Elysees in Paris.
• Shuttle service to/from airport and to official events.
• Two hotel rooms each for 3 nights at sponsor’s designated hotel. (July 24-26, 2009)
• VIP access to restricted Team Garmin areas.
• Attend the post race Team Garmin party on July 26th.
• Garmin Edge 705 cycle computer and Team Garmin gear.

Garmin donated the cycling package to help raise funds for the Bloch School’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, one of the world’s leading entrepreneurial training centers.

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Cycling Australia and Team Garmin-Slipstream continue to develop young talent with new partnership and team’s addition of 19-year-old phenomenon

Team Garmin-Slipstream, the top American professional cycling team dedicated to ethical sporting and developing the next generation of cycling champions, announced today that it has added Australian Jack Bobridge to its roster and formed a partnership with Cycling Australia to develop young riders into professional road and track champions.

The team already boasts Australia’s reigning points race World Champion, Cameron Meyer and today has confirmed 19-year-old Jack Bobridge as part of the team’s line-up. The Adelaide rider is the Australian U-23 road race and time trial champion and will join the professional team as a stagiaire later this year.

“Jack is a phenomenal talent — possibly the most talented rider of his generation,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports and Director Sportif of Team Garmin-Slipstream. “He excels on the road and on the track and makes an outstanding addition to our roster. We are thrilled that he decided to join Team Garmin-Slipstream.”

Among the best U-23 riders in the world, Bobridge claimed two silver medals at the Track World Championships in March for individual pursuit and team pursuit, the latter won alongside new teammate, Meyer. Bobridge is also the Oceania and Australian Individual Pursuit Champion.

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Technology Innovations Continue to Help Garmin Athletes Break Away from the Pack

Boulder, CO – Team Garmin-Slipstream, the top U.S. professional cycling team, today unveiled its 2009 team kits (image below).

The new team kit highlights title sponsor Garmin’s leadership role, while also bringing attention to Slipstream and its focus on ethical sporting and developing the next generation of American champions. Designed and produced by Pearl Izumi’s Colorado-based Advanced Development Team, the 2009 kits are highlighted by the ultra aerodynamic time trial Speed-Suit. Second skin fit and strategically located, proprietary fabrics work together to create the fastest Speed-Suit ever produced and provide an aerodynamic advantage for riders. And, the kit wouldn’t be complete without strong argyle elements, including orange shoulders and an orange-dominated Giro helmet – which will be easy to spot in the pro peloton.

“We constantly uncover the best technology and work with the best sponsors to give our athletes the competitive advantage,” said Jonathan Vaughters, Director Sportiff of Team Garmin-Slipstream. “Our unique partnership with Pear Izumi ensures that our guys are training and racing with the best kits available. And our signature argyle ensures that they stand out from the pack.”

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World-Class, Accomplished Teams to Compete in February 14-22 Stage Race

‘Best Field Ever to Compete on U.S. Soil Anticipated For Nine Day Stage Race’

LOS ANGELES, CA – The 2009 Amgen Tour of California will once again bring together a world-class field of cycling teams from multiple nations, including eight of the sport’s top-rated ProTour teams. Race organizers confirmed today that entries for the fourth annual race will include Lance Armstrong and the Amgen Tour of California’s two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer’s team, Astana, along with two of the top U.S.-based teams, Garmin-Slipstream (new to the ProTour circuit) and Columbia Highroad (formerly Team High Road). Also racing will be Team Saxo Bank, which finished in the top-three of the world rankings last season and Quick Step, which claimed 55 victories in the 2008 season.

The 2009 Amgen Tour of California roster includes the following eight ProTour professional cycling teams:

• Ag2r-La Mondiale (FRA)
• Astana (LUX)
• Garmin-Slipstream (USA)
• Liquigas (ITA)
• Quick Step (BEL)
• Rabobank (Netherlands)
• Columbia Highroad (USA)
• Team Saxo Bank (DEN)

The recently expanded 750-mile, nine-day stage race, considered to be the most important and popular race held on U.S. soil, will take the world’s top professional cycling teams from Sacramento to San Diego County from February 14-22, 2009.

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