Australia has a new professional team for 2009, sponsored by Fly V Australia presented by Successful Living Foundation. Like its major sponsor, the team will have a trans-Pacific focus in 2009, running a comprehensive program that will take in races in the United States, Australia and Asia. In confirming the team's two-pronged racing program for 2009, team Director Chris White spoke about the team's prospects as it builds a roster of talent from Australia and North America.
"The program we're running in 2009 is ... multi-faceted and allows us to run a full-time talent development program in Australia in parallel with a US-based professional cycling team that will compete in the marquee events of the North American cycling calendar," said White. "I'm not aware of any other cycling team that's running a program like ours. The benefits are enormous – we're able to provide a nursery environment to nurture young talent and then provide a pathway to allow them to step fully into the pro ranks. This approach will give us tremendous growth potential and flexibility, as well as being a great environment for the riders."
