A partnership between SRAM, Speedplay, Specialized and Zipp has created an Official Support Team for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California road race presented by AEG.
The SRAM Neutral Race Support (NRS) team will be the official neutral support partner of the 2010 professional cycling road race set for 16-23 May. The team will combine its expertise to provide world-class neutral race support for all the cyclists participating in the race.
Responsible for wheel changes and mechanical assistance, the neutral support team’s experienced race mechanics will step in to aid any cyclist that has a mechanical issue, in the event the team car cannot reach them in time. Additionally, the neutral race support bike will be a Specialized bike, featuring Speedplay pedals.
SRAM will bring three fully equipped neutral support vehicles, two support motos and one non-caravan support truck to the race, which is considered to be the most important cycling event in the United States.
"This partnership serves a great tradition in bike racing, neutral race support for every rider, and in bringing together four powerful cycling brands – Speedplay, Specialized, Zipp and SRAM – every rider can be confident in the service and support they’ll receive," said Michael Zellmann, SRAM road PR manager. "From the SRAM perspective it’s an honour to be a part of this race that has established such a great tradition in such a short time, the Amgen Tour of California is on par with any stage race in the world."
"The combination of resources and expertise from Speedplay, Specialized, Zipp and SRAM will create a ‘dream team’ of neutral race support for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California," added Andrew Messick, President of AEG Sports. "The range of product, innovation and commitment to cycling shown by these companies demonstrates the continued enthusiasm towards, and growth of, professional cycling in the United States. This support team will be a great addition to the race."
In addition to providing neutral support for the race, SRAM and the Amgen Tour of California will be creating the Bike Manufacturers Challenge Powered by SRAM, a virtual competition between component, frame, wheel and pedal manufacturers based on rider and team performance at the Amgen Tour of California.
The Bike Manufacturers Challenge Powered by SRAM will be featured on the official race website (www.amgentourofcalifornia.com), as well as during the official broadcast of the race on VERSUS.
Considered to be cycling’s most important and successful stage race in the United States, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California will travel along a more than 800-mile course from Nevada City to Thousand Oaks, title-sponsor Amgen’s hometown community.
During the race, elite international and domestic cycling teams will traverse the state from north to south with scheduled stops in the following host cities: Nevada City (new city for 2010), Sacramento, Davis, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Visalia, Bakersfield (new city for 2010), Palmdale (new city for 2010), Big Bear Lake (new city for 2010), Los Angeles (new city for 2010) and Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village (new city for 2010)/Agoura Hills (new city for 2010).
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
www.specialized.com
www.speedplay.com
www.sram.com
www.zipp.com
