We brought you news of the new Cannondale ‘cross bikes for 2017 several weeks ago now. It would be a shame for bikes of that caliber not to be raced at the highest level. It therefore isn’t much of a surprise that Cannondale have renewed their sponsorship of the Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team. It’s a team that, in one format or another, has existed for ten years now.
Other Cycling Sports Group brands (the overarching cycling division of Dorel Industries – owners of the Cannondale brand) are also getting in on the act – Fabric are providing saddles and SUGOI will be providing race-day and training clothing.
Here’s the news straight from the horse’s mouth:
Wilton, Conn. – August 23, 2016 – Cannondale, a premium brand of Cycling Sports Group, a division of Dorel Industries, Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A), today announced a two-year extension of its sponsorship of the Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com team, extending a partnership that began a decade ago. As in previous years, Cannondale will also support the development team, fostering the talents of these up-and-coming riders. In addition, SUGOI has announced it will join the team as official apparel sponsor, providing a variety of premium race and training cycling apparel, while Fabric will continue as official saddle sponsor.
“Cannondale and Cyclocrossworld.com have been together longer than any other ‘cross team in the US,” said Stu Thorne, Team Manager. “Working together all these years has been a privilege for me and the team. The support is phenomenal, the new 2017 SuperX is any rider’s dream bike and the people at Cannondale are like family. I’m really looking forward to this season and years to come.”
The team will be comprised of four professional riders:
Stephen Hyde: 2015 was his breakout year, climbing up to 15th in the world, beating the U.S. national champion twice at the Derby City ‘Cross event and claiming the top American position at World Championships.
Kaitie Antonneau: Has been the first American female finisher at the last two World Championships and most notably came in 2nd at the 2015 World Cup in Valkenburg.
Curtis White: Won the 2014 U23 American Continental Cyclocross Championships and placed 2nd in the 2015 U23 Pan-Am Championship and 2nd in the U23 U.S. Nationals.
Emma White: Newest member to the pro team after competing on the Cyclocrossworld.com development team for the past four years. Also competing in the road category, 2015 was a highlight year for Emma, earning the silver medal in both the junior women time trial and road race at the UCI World Road Championships.
Between the four pros and eight development team riders, the team will compete at 67 races around the world, with Kaitie and Stephen take the lead on European races, while Emma and Curtis focus on a domestic schedule. In addition, Tim Johnson will continue working alongside Stu as a team mentor and cyclocross advocate, to further the mission of cross, while driving team performance, goals and objectives.
“Not only does Cannondale’s partnership with Cyclocrossworld.com provide us with valued product development input from top-tier, world-class pro athletes, but it helps to us to continue our pledge to help grow the sport of ‘cross,” said Scott Rittschof, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Development for Cannondale. “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with a team that brings such an incredible amount of excitement and passion to the sport of cycling.”
Both pro and development riders will compete on Cannondale’s completely redesigned SuperX, engineered to dominate today’s increasingly fast and technical cyclocross courses. With unmatched traction, huge mud clearance, and ultra-stable handling, the SuperX offers a new kind of performance for today’s ‘cross racer.
With SUGOI serving as the Official Performance Apparel sponsor, the team will race in the very latest SUGOI designs, anchored by the cutting-edge 2016 Custom RS Skinsuit. The Racing Systems Skinsuit delivers race day performance with advanced design and detailing including SUGOI’s proprietary chamois for ultimate comfort in the saddle. Cold weather training garments include the RSE NeoShell Jacket, a favorite for ultra-breathable waterproof protection. The team will also wear a selection of SUGOI’s off bike collection for cross training and lifestyle essentials.
“With the Pacific Northwest as our testing ground, SUGOI’s history of excellence in thermal performance apparel will provide the team with enviable protection from the particularly harsh conditions of cyclocross season,” said Ian Domaas, Vice President & GM, SUGOI. “This multi-year agreement supports SUGOI’s commitment to innovation through research and development, providing unique insight into the elite racer’s needs for a broad range of climates and conditions.”
As the official saddle, Fabric will be outfitting all team SuperX bikes with a custom Scoop saddle. Designed to provide flexibility and great ergonomic feel, the Fabric Scoop is proven to be the perfect balance of comfort, performance and simplicity.
“All riders having varying needs and Fabric saddles are just right, providing each and every rider with the unbeatable comfort and performance necessary for a winning season,” said Nick Larsen, General Manager of Fabric.
Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com will also be supported by these key partners:
SRAM: Providing bike components
Zipp: Providing wheels, bars and stem
Challenge: Providing tires and tubes
Giro: Providing helmets and shoes
Feedback Sports: Proving repair stands and storage solutions
