By Susan Westemeyer As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens – or in this case,...
The Navigators cruising in New Mexico (Image credit: Casey Gibson)
By Susan Westemeyer
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens – or in this case, when one cycling team ends, another starts. After 14 years, there will be no Navigators Insurance team in the American peloton in 2008, but the team management company and several riders are moving to the new Team Type 1.
In a press release issued January 1, the team noted the end of "America's longest continuous professional cycling team sponsorship." On behalf of the management and the 70 cyclists who have ridden for Navigators over the years, "we want to thank our many fans and sponsors for their enthusiasm, commitment and loyal support. It has been a remarkable and rewarding journey, and a privilege to represent the Navigators Insurance Company on five continents."
Turning to the new season, Edj Sports Management and several riders "will be working with an exciting new American Continental team known as Team Type 1. Beyond its competitive objectives, the team's mission will be to raise awareness for diabetes, and the positive affect of a healthy and active lifestyle in controlling and preventing the long term affects of the disease."
Team manager Ed Beaman and assistant team manager Vassili Davidenko will be at the new team, as will riders Benjamin Brooks, Glen Chadwick and Valery Kobzarenko,
"Thanks for the memories, we hope you'll join us on our new voyage," the press release concluded.
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Team Type 1 Professional team: Emile Abraham, Moises Aldape Chavez, Jesse Anthony, Ben Brooks, Fabio Calabria *, Glen Chadwick, Joe Eldridge *, Tim Hargrave, Dan Holt, Chris Jones, Valeriy Kobzarenko, Ian Macgregor, Shawn Milne, Phil Southerland * and Matt Wilson.
Team Type I Development team (all riders have Type 1 diabetes): Nathan Bartels, Alex Bowden, Matt Brooks, Monique Hanley, Andy Mead, Morgan Patton, Tim Powell, Bob Schrank and Mark Suprenant
