TIAA-CREF and Clif Bar have announced their continued support of the TIAA-CREF/Clif Bar Cyclo-Cross Team, a developmental 'cross program based in the USA. For the second year running, the team will contest the top cyclo-cross events around the country with an eye on developing the next generation of American cyclo- cross champions.
After completing a hugely successful season last year which saw the team make 43 podium appearances and send two riders to the World Championships, TIAA-CREF/Clif Bar team manager Ben Turner got to work making sure the 2005/06 season would be an even bigger success. He has lined up 20 riders and a host of sponsors to achieve that end.
This year's team will consist of a national-level program with four juniors, six under-23 riders, and ten elite/masters riders (including staff). The team will focus on the Crank Brothers US Grand Prix of Cyclocross, the premier national cyclo-cross series. Riders will wrap up their U.S. campaign with the National Championships in early December to be held in Providence, Rhode Island. The team's final goal will be to send as many members as possible to the World Championships in The Netherlands in late January 2006.
The TIAA-CREF/Clif Bar Cyclo-Cross Team draws riders from the ranks of Jonathan Vaughters' development road cycling teams TIAA-CREF and 5280 Magazine. "These riders are some of the most talented young road racers in the country," said Turner. "We want to give them a chance to develop into world class cyclo-cross racers as well as offer them a way to support their winter training."
Team roster
Alex Howes (Junior)
Tejay van Garderen (Junior)
Walker Savidge (Junior)
Danny Summerhill (Junior)
Brady Kappius (U23)
Zak Grabowski (U23)
Peter Stetina (U23)
Troy Wells (U23)
Zach Taylor (U23)
Ian MacGregor (U23)
David Robinson (Elite)
Stuart Gillespie (Elite)
Colby Pearce (Elite)
Dan Bowman (Elite)
Bryan Smith (Elite)
Will Frischkorn (Elite)
Chad Hartley (Elite)
Staff
Ben Turner - Team director, sponsorship coordinator,
Brandon Dwight - Team manager, Elite racer
Nick Legan - Team mechanic
John Verheul - Team coach, assistant manager,
Reed McCalvin - Team soigneur
Kevin Reichlin - Team chiropractor
Marc Gullickson - Team PR/Communication manager,
Sponsors
TIAA-CREF (Fortune 80 financial services company)
CLIF BAR (the Natural Performance Enhancer -
Javelin (Primitivo cross frames, Zero forks)
Hincapie (race clothing)
SWIX (base layers and outerwear)
Curve (socks)
Cyclocrossworld.com (cross-specific parts)
Crank Brothers (pedals)
Fi'zi:k (saddles, bar tape)
FSA (parts)
Challenge (tires)
Shimano (parts, shoes)
Giro (helmets)
Oakley (eyewear)
Pedros (bike care)
Sixtufit (muscle care)
