Orbea Bicycles, from the heart of the Pyrenees, will sponsor the world class athletes of the LUNA Women’s Professional Mountain and Triathlon Teams. The deal will outfit Luna riders with Orbea’s Alma and Oiz mountain bikes, Orca road bikes and Ordu TT bikes for the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
“This is the perfect partnership for us,” said Tony Karklins, Orbea USA’s managing director. “The LUNA athletes are the ideal athletes to showcase our new Alma carbon mountain frame and Ordu carbon tri frame. They work hard, have fun and are true ambassadors to our sport. These women really showcase our commitment to women’s cycling in North America.”
Shonny Vanlandingham, Katarina Hanusova, Jimena Florit and Georgia Gould will defend their NORBA National titles and race selected World Cup and X-Terra events in 2006. Alison Dunlap will attend events conducting women’s rides & clinics. She will also provide coaching advice to LUNA’s pro athletes and Ambassadors. Marla Streb will preserve the gravity aspect of the program as she continues serving as LUNA’s one-woman PR machine and part-time racer.
The LUNA Pro Triathlon Team will attend national events including the Ironman World Championships, Wildflower, and The Escape From Alcatraz Triathlons. The team includes Terra Castro, Linda Gallo and Katya Meyers. The LUNA cross team roster has not been finalized for 2006.
The MTB team will ride the Alma carbon monocoque hardtail and Oiz carbon-linkage full suspension bikes. The bike was designed to give racers maximum precision and efficiency through its unique shaping and superior carbon construction. The Ordu triathlon and time trial frame is designed for maximum speed with an ultra-light weight and maximum stiffness.
