LATEST NEWS:

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Friday, March 24, 2006 =>

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Team KICK-OFF meeting, Georgia training camp update, EURO DEVO Scholarship awards!

Wow, it is only March and the team has been SUPER busy!!! There’s been so much going on, I’ll cover each item briefly and chronologically.

The team held it's kick off meeting for 2006, several team members had a GREAT training camp in the mountains of Northern Georgia, and 2 team members were awarded EURO DEVO Scholarships for 2006!

The team heads out through downtown Northville, MI for a group ride, after the 2006 KICK-OFF meeting, Sunday, March 5, 2006

Team KICK-OFF Meeting!

The team held its annual pre-season meeting on Sunday, March 5th. This is always a great time for everyone to get together and talk about the off-season and map out plans for the upcoming races. Uniforms were distributed and new team members were introduced. 2006 looks extremely promising. The Category 1-2 team has been bolstered by the addition of Jason Rafeld and Rob Iser. The Juniors team welcomed new additions Taylor Birmann (2005 Iceman Champion – All Men 12-14) and Rafi Kronenberg (2005 Tailwind CX Serie Champion Jrs 12-15).

The team laid out their season goals, with the #1 goal being the Michigan Challenge Series. This series is composed of 14 events from April – September, throughout Michigan. Additionally, the Category 1-2 team will be gunning for the overall Michigan Challenge Cup, which is awarded to the top Category 1-2 team in Michigan.

Additionally, for 2006 the team plans an ALL OUT ASSAULT on what has become Michigan’s defacto “WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS” the 2006 Tour De Leelanau! In 2005 the team placed 6 riders in the top 22 finishers of this race. This event can be described as the toughest and most exciting event in Michigan. Whether you’re racing or spectating, this is a “CAN’T MISS” event! This race is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2006. Check out www.tourdeleelanau.com for more information.

Georgia Training Camp

The week of February 26 – March 4, John Zaccone, Rafi Kronenberg, Alex Keomany and Rob Iser all headed down to northern Georgia for a early season training camp. The guys stayed in beautiful Helen, GA and rode the most famous sections of the Tour De Georgia, including the treacherous Brass Town Bald mountain. As John Zaccone reports, “Brasstown Bald is everything you hear it is. Near top the climb becomes so steep, I nearly had to get off and walk. It’s just incredibly steep.” The guys returned to Michigan just in time for the team meeting on the 5th with lots of quality miles under their belts and lots of stories to tell of all the other climbs, 60mph descents, and the fabulous roads in the area.

Euro Devo Scholarship

One more important item of business at the meeting was the awarding of the very first EURO DEVO Scholarship awards, presented by Red Bull. This scholarship fund has been established to financially assist U23 Michigan racers who travel to Europe to train and compete at the highest levels of the sport. Brian Adams, a Category 1 racer on the Ford/Giant Cycling Team and founder of the scholarship, presented the awards. Receiving the awards were Sunrise Sports Cycling Team members Vince Roberge and Derek Timmermann, as well as independent racer, Todd Elenz of Gaylord, MI. In 2006 Vince and Derek will be attending the prestigious Cycling Center in Hertsberge, Belgium. Incredibly, Todd Elenz has shown exceptional motivation to arrange a spot on the roster of a top amateur team, “De Molenspurters” and will be living with a Belgian host family. You can read more about each of these young men and the Euro Devo Scholarship at www.eurodevo.com.

As we speak, Vince, Derek and Todd are racing in Belgium, with the U23 World Cup event, the Grote Prijs van de Stad Waregem, already under their belts. Check out their respective diaries for complete updates on the event and all the other races their competing in over in Belgium. It’s fantastic stuff and after seeing the climbs and cobblestones they race on, you’ll be glad it’s them and not you who’s doing the racing!!!

Derek (2nd from left) and Vince (3rd from left) with other Cycling Center teammates after a 190km recon ride. Climbing the Kemmelberg.

As always, thank you for your support of the team. We couldn’t compete at the level we are without your assistance and support!!!

Sincerely,

John Rigdon and Joe Lekovish, Sunrise Sports Cycling Team