American bicycle manufacturer Cannondale Bicycles has entered into a multi-year agreement with the Meredith Group-GPOA Cycling Team, an elite squad based in Pittsburgh. "Not only do we (Cannondale) believe that the Meredith Group-GPOA Cycling Team is the best elite team in the state (Pa), winning the Elite Men's Crit Championships and other top races, but they have been extremely successful in some of the most competitive races on the east coast, including winning Housatonic Hills Classic (NRC, Conn.) road race and winning five state elite road and criterium championships," said Cannondale team representatives Bart Passanante and Debbie Lewis. "The team performed extremely well in other major races such as the Tour of Shenandoah SR (VA), Owasco SR (NY) and the US National Elite and ProAm Championships near Chicago."
Meredith Group-GPOA will receive similar support as Cannondale's international and domestic professional teams - Barloworld Pro Cycling Team for the international races, and America's premiere domestic professional team, Health Net-Maxxis. "Naturally, we are honoured and privileged to have signed with Cannondale as our sponsor for our team bikes," commented team director Dennis Dansak.
For 2006, the team has added riders to the already successful elite squad. The new additions include Stephan Kincaid (Snow Valley, VA), former two-time winner of US National Championship titles and former overall winner of Pennsylvania's Elite Men's Best All 'Round Series (BAR). Other new riders include Chadd Martin (Bicycle Therapy), former overall Elite Men's BAR Champion and former Pa. State Elite Men's Criterium Champion; Mike Stubna (Savage Hill, OH), Steve "Steevo" Cummings (ACA/Kraynick's), and Dave Mitchell (QCW), current President of the Pa. Cycling Association.
The elite riders returning to the squad include Jared Babik, Sarah Bickerstaff, Nate Piekielek, Rob Hacker, Mike Hebe, Colin Sandberg, Ryan Graff, Ryan Leech, Fred Billet and Greg Ferguson. The team will focus on US National Criterium and Road Championships, 9 NRC events, defend most of their current state elite championship titles and will compete in many other prestigious races throughout the east coast and mid-west.
The regional squad's full roster includes Bob Riffle, Glenn Snyder, Doug Williamson, Pam Moali-Rytel, Mike Rytel, Mike Lopez, and Ben Pate. Cummings and Stubna will race with both the regional and elite teams depending on the race and the needs of the team.
