Chihuahua, Mexico — Rock Racing stamped its authority on another stage race Saturday when Oscar Sevilla captured the overall title at the Vuelta a Chihuahua.

Sevilla’s win in Mexico adds to victories by Rock Racing at three other stage races this year: the Vuelta a Asturias (Francisco Mancebo), Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic (Sevilla) and Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah (Mancebo).

Not bad for a team many were writing off even before the 2009 season was underway, Team Owner Michael Ball said.

“This has been a spectacular year for us and we’re not done yet,” Ball said, referring to Rock Racing’s five-rider squad that is readying for Sunday’s start of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Australia.

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Camargo, Mexico — Only Saturday’s 72-mile (118 km) stage at the Vuelta a Chihuahua stands in the way of Oscar Sevilla delivering a milestone victory for Rock Racing.

If the Spaniard maintains his overall lead, he will have scored Rock Racing’s third straight overall title at a stage race this year, adding to wins at the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic in July and the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah in August.

“I’m feeling relaxed, with no pressure,” Sevilla said. “I have very talented teammates around me who know what to do to make sure I maintain my lead through to the end.”

Rock Racing protected Sevilla’s six-second advantage over Gregorio Ladino (Tecos Trek) on Friday’s Stage 5 by riding the front throughout the 88-mile (142 km) race from Parral to Camargo. A breakaway group of seven riders was reeled in three miles from the finish and César Vaquera (Orven) won the field sprint.

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Bend, Ore. — Rock Racing’s Oscar Sevilla threw down an attack that only Peter Stetina (Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin) could follow on the slopes leading to the Three Peaks Snow Park Wednesday.

The result was a stage win and the overall lead for the Spaniard at the 30th annual Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic. Rock Racing teammate Francisco Mancebo was third on the day and moved into second overall, 27 seconds behind. Chris Baldwin (OUCH presented by Maxxis) is third, 35 seconds back of Sevilla.

Rock Racing Team Director Laurenzo LaPage said after putting five riders in the 23-man breakaway that decided Stage 1 on Tuesday, it was no accident that Rock Racing was calling the shots again.

“Our plan this morning was to send Victor Hugo Pena or David Vitoria into the breakaway to put pressure on the leaders and that’s exactly what we did,” LaPage said. “ It couldn’t have been more perfect.”

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Glen Chadwick Delivers Second Straight Win for Rock Racing and Paco Mancebo Takes Second

Bogota, Colombia - New Zealand native Glen Chadwick soloed to victory in the heart of downtown Bogota today to take the 13th Stage of the 59th Vuelta Pilsen a Colombia and give Rock Racing its second straight win of the tour.

Despite today’s rainy and cold conditions, Chadwick attacked early and built a four minute lead over the group. He was never caught and rode almost 100 kilometers alone, crossing the finish line three and a half minutes ahead of the group. Mancebo emerged from the pack to take second.

Rock Racing’s Jose Gutierrez and Oscar Sevilla were also 6th and 7th, earning the team four of the day’s top 10 spots.

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Tunja, Colombia – Rock Racing’s Victor Hugo Peña delivered his team’s first win at the 59th Vuelta Pilsen a Colombia, crossing the line solo in Stage 12.

On the final uphill stretch of the mountainous 159 km stage, Peña was part of a four-man break and never looked back. With 400 meters to go it was Peña and Lotería de Boyacá’s Uberlino Mesa in a head to head battle for the win, with Peña pulling away comfortably in the final meters to the finish

“It was important for us to have a big result today and everyone worked extremely hard.” said Peña. “I dedicate this win to my teammates.”

For the Colombian-born Peña, a former yellow jersey wearer at the Tour de France, the win marks his fourth at the Vuelta a Colombia, his last victory in 2008 when he won Stage 7.

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Culver City, Calif. – Sprinter Ivan Dominguez has signed with Rock Racing after a five-month ProTour stint with Fuji-Servetto.

Dominguez initially signed with Rock Racing before the 2009 season, but left the team in early January to accept a spot with the new ProTour squad. His return to domestic racing was a personal decision, he said, based on a desire to be closer to his family and the races he loves.

“Racing in Europe was a great opportunity, but this is where I want to be,” Dominguez said. “(Rock Racing Team Owner) Michael Ball left the door open for me and I’m grateful for the chance to be a part of this team again.”

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Mexico City – Rock Racing celebrated one of its most prolific days in its history Sunday when David Vitoria earned the King of the Mountains jersey, capping a Vuelta Mexico Telmex that saw the third-year squad win the team classification while placing three riders in the top 10.

But the party didn’t stop there. In Dominguez Hills, Calif., Justin Williams and Rahsaan Bahati scored a 1-2 finish, respectively, at the Arctic Avenue Dominguez Hills Criterium. It marked the second consecutive weekend the pair have swept the two top places at a criterium, with Bahati taking the honors ahead of Williams at the Merco Classic Downtown Criterium Feb. 28 in Merced, Calif.

With 11 victories in hand in a season that is barely two months old, Rock Racing Owner Michael Ball said even he couldn’t have imagined such success.

“This is truly a testament to the power of teamwork,” Ball said. “These guys faced a lot of adversity in the off-season, but when it came to race, they got down to business. I knew we were going to be a contender, but this is also a tribute to the work our directors, Rudy Pevenage and Laurenzo LaPage, have done.”

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - Kestrel Bicycles is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Rock Racing Professional Cycling Team.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with one of the most exciting teams in pro cycling,” said Karen Bliss, Director of Marketing at Advanced Sports, Inc., the parent company for Kestrel. “We have built great relationships with many of Rock Racing’s riders through our other brands’ sponsorships, and I’m happy they will get the opportunity to race on our bikes in 2009.”

The team will ride Kestrel’s new RT900, a 950 gram carbon frameset that features a unique aero-shaped monocoque frame design and its proprietary EMS Pro fork. The team will also be supported by Shimano with Dura-Ace components.

Current U.S. Pro Road Champion Tyler Hamilton, who tested the Kestrel road bike the team will be riding, said, “The road bike handles perfectly - it’s got an incredible strength to weight ratio. I’m really impressed.”

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Statement from Michael Ball regarding Rock Racing:
Rumors of Rock Racing’s untimely demise have been greatly exaggerated. The team is proceeding with a full racing schedule of domestic racing in 2009 and is actively pursuing any and all opportunities related to racing outside the United States. I am committed to my team and my riders are committed to making Rock Racing one of the most exciting teams in the pro peloton. Our key riders will all be returning and will be ready to compete against the world’s best. We thank our fans for their continued support of Rock Racing. 


Regarding recent comments by Baden Cooke:

Baden Cooke did what he felt was in the best interest of his career and I wish him all the best. There was no malice there.

Learn technique and get insight into what it is like to ride in the Tour de France and Giro de Italia. Hear Freddie comment on the 2009 Tour of California.

• Date: Saturday, Jan 10, 2009
• Time: 10AM
• Location: 14109 Winchester Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
• Route: 30 mile loop with varied terrain
• Cost: $250 contribution to Fast Freddie Foundation includes lunch, cycling jersey, & presentation

Three time US Pro Cycling Champion and a member of the Rock Racing Cycling Team, “Fast Freddie” Rodriguez, will be riding in the South Bay to benefit his Fast Freddie Foundation. The Foundation supports youth cycling and education. Attendees will be able to interact with Freddie throughout the day. After a great lunch at Aldo’s Ristorante, Freddie will revel with you about stories from multiple races, teams, other great riders, and commentary on the Tour de France, Giro de Italia, and the Tour of California.

Number of riders is limited. Act soon to reserve your space.

For further details contact:
Ted Moorhead - ted_moorhead@ml.com (408) 554-7923
Adoree Dinh - adoree_dinh@ml.com (408) 554-7902
Franz Vaiarello - franz_vaiarello@ml.com (408) 554-7935

Presented by Merrill Lynch

Photos courtesy of KWC