Redlands, CA — This week professional bicycle racing gets underway at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, the opening round of the 2012 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar, and the anticipation could not be any more amplified. All racers and teams are locked-in and geared-up to launch hostilities on the roads of Redlands beginning Thursday March 22nd with the Prologue Time Trial.

With returning champions Francisco Mancebo, riding for the newly named Competitive Cyclist Team in the men’s field as well as returning women’s champion Amber Neben, representing the newly formed Specialized-Lululemon Team the race features both the men’s and women’s 2011 champions. No doubt, both Mancebo and Neben will have to bring every bit of strength that carried them to their 2011 victories and then some to beat all comers and defend their yellow jersey honors of last year.

Twenty-seven men’s teams will be queuing up to comprise a robust peloton of 200 riders including four of the top five top teams in the NRC Team Rankings from 2011, not the least of which is 2011 Team Ranking champions Bissell Pro Cycling. In addition to the men’s racing no fewer than 90 women spread across 12 teams, including four of last years’ top five team in the NRC Team Rankings will be lining up to take their shot at glory on the roads of Redlands in an event that has been known to support and promote women’s sport.

“We are very proud to have so much excitement surrounding our event,” says Race President, Dan Rendler. “So many applications come from all across the globe for teams that want to participate in our race, we are proud to have such large pelotons of talented riders hitting the streets of Redlands for another great year of racing.”

Every cycling enthusiast knows strong teams are made up of powerful individual riders, and this years’ RBC sees the return of former stage winners and jersey wearers at the Redlands Classic like Team California Giant/Specialized rider John Bennett who took the stage 1 Beaumont Road Race in 2011 with style. Former race winner and Andy Bajadali of the Optum Pro Cycling team will also be lining up to try to repeat his 2007 overall success as well as former Sunset Road Race stage winner Kyle Wamsley of the Jamis Sutter Home team.

The women of the Redlands Classic will not be lacking any horsepower either with super team Specialized-Lululemon bringing former overall winner Amber Neben, multi-time stage winner (and overall winner) Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, and Olympic medalist Clara Hughes. Other notable heavy hitters include Alison Powers, former RBC Stage winner, racing for NOW & Novartis for MS as well as Theresa Cliff-Ryan of Team Exergy TWENTY12 who won multiple stages of the 2011 edition of the RBC.

With four exciting days of racing, from March 22nd-25th, and two full fields of racers the 2012 Redlands Bicycle Classic will no doubt be another vintage edition of world class bike racing that will set the tone for the year ahead.

Complete List of Teams Competing:

Men - Bissell Pro Cycling,BMC-Hincapie Development Team, Bontrager Livestrong, California Giant/Specialized, CashCall Mortgage, Champion Systems presented by Stans No Tubes/CRCA, Competitive Cyclist Racing Team, Eclipse-ATS, Elbowz Racing, Full Circle Cycling presented by Pure Gear, Garneau Quebecor Norton-Rose, Hagens Berman Cycling Team, Jamis Sutter Home, Jelly Belly presented by Kenda, Juwi Solar Cycling, Kenda/5 Hour Energy presented by Geargrinder, Landis/Trek, Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies, Simple Green-Bike Religion presented by Cannondale, Spy-Swamis Development Elite Team, Stage 17 Racing, Team Exergy, Team Mountain Khakis/Smart Stop, Team Type 1 (Development), Wonderful Pistachios Pro Cycling, XO Communications presented by Cisco

Women - Cynergy Cycles presented by Missing Link Coaching, Exergy TWENTY12, FCS/Rouse presented by Mr.Restore, MetromintCycling, NOW and Novartis for MS, Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefits Strategies, Primal/Mapmyride Womens Racing, SC Velo-EmpowerCoaching, Specialized Lululemon, Team Kenda presented by Geargrinders, Team Tibco-To The Top, and Vanderkitten – Focus

For more information, including race times, distances, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.redlandsclassic.com.

Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 animate the race

Redlands, CA - Once again it was the fierce heat that was a dominating factor in today’s first stage of the Redlands Bicycle Classic presented by PossAbilities. With temperatures topping 90 degrees, the challenging 24.1 mile scenic Beaumont circuit took its toll, shredding the field, and testing each of the 113 competitors.

With points for the Queen of the Mountains (QOM) competition as well as the Sprinter’s Jersey up for grabs on the first lap, the competition was fierce from the beginning. Despite HTC-Highroad’s tactic of riding tempo to protect their first and second place in the General Classification, each of the team’s behind in the overall took turns attacking them, keeping the pace high and leaving little time for recovery.

By the second lap, the high pace, hot weather and undulating terrain had already whittled away at the field. Midway through the second lap, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Tayler Wiles aggressively attacked, forcing HTC to give chase. As they caught her on the climb, the counter attacks came fast and furious, but down the descent and through the high speed zone into the start finish the field was once again gruppo compacto.

Heading into the final lap, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 once again took the initiate and sent a rider up the road for the win. This time it was Alison Starnes motoring up the road, with the heat waves shimmering between her and the peloton. Initially there was little reaction from the field, and Starnes’ lead grew steadily to 1:15. However, on the climb, HTC’s Amanda Miller and Evelyn Stevens forced the pace, catching Starnes as they crested the climb, with only a small group of ten remaining.

As the various groups roared down the descent into the final miles of the race, the rejoining began and soon there was a group of about 40 heading into the finish for the final gut wrenching effort to the line.

As the group flew around the final corner, it was Colavita/Forno D’Asolo’s Theresa Cliff-Ryan with a big acceleration out of the field for the win, ahead of Christina Gokey-Smith (Rouse). Jen Purcell (Danbury Audi) rounded out the top three.

"All in all, today was a good race," Cliff-Ryan remarked afterward. "There were a couple of crashes on the course, so that brought some chaos, but we were successful. I was stuck in the middle about 150 meters before the turn, but I saw a space, so I took it. It was a major team race today. We were talking, looking after each other, and Janel stayed with me on the last hill, helping me stay relaxed. Redlands has a big history, so this was a great race to start off our season."

With HTC still having a stranglehold on the overall, tomorrow’s 60 minute criterium looks to be another opportunity for everyone from third place back to grab some time bonuses or try a move to gain a spot on the GC ladder to the top.

In the men's race, John Bennett (California Giant Team) would take the hotly contested Stage 1 prize just ahead of Lachlan Morton (Chipotle Development) and Andres Diaz (Team Exergy).

Top spots hotly contested in a huge field of 113 competitors

The Redlands Bicycle Classic Stage Race kicked off yesterday with a five kilometer uphill prologue through the streets of Redlands and up to the infamous Sunset Road Race setting. After the cold and dreary weather in San Dimas, the 90 degree temperatures were startling and added to the challenge of the day.

Redlands is the first stop on the NRC calendar and is hotly contested by all the teams. Fielding their top riders, each team had an allowance of eight riders per roster, making for an enormous women’s field of 113 competitors. The teams from the San Dimas Stage Race, HTC-Highroad, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12, Colavita Forno D'Asolo, TIBCO/To The Top, Vanderkitten-FOCUS, and Primal/Map My Ride, were joined by Team Rouse, Webcor Alto Velo, Team Juvederm, Team Kenda presented by GEARGRINDER and SC Velo-Empower Coaching, among others.

As the temperatures rose, sending heat shimmering off the climb, so did the competition. Off early in the day was Alison Powers (Team TIBCO/To The Top), who set the mark of 12:20. As the day grew longer, the competitive times continued to stack up with HTC-Highroad’s Amanda Miller clocking a 12:01, only to be bested by Colavita's Andrea Dvorak (11:42) and then by TIBCO's Erinne Willock (11:25). Mara Abbott, who finished second in the overall to Amber Neben last year, was a guest rider for SC Velo-Empower Coaching this time around and came in with a time of 12:08. One of the last to go off, Cath Cheatley (Colavita Forno D'Asolo) posted a time of 12:03, fast, but not quite fast enough for the top of the podium.

Breaths were held as Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Kristin Armstrong, a former World Time Trial Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, neared the finish line. As she powered her way up the climb, hammering her way to the line, the seconds ticked away. She crossed the line with a time of 11:46, good enough for fifth and 33 seconds behind the day’s winner.

Topping the podium, in similar fashion to last week’s prologue was HTC’s Neben winning with a time of 11:12, followed with an 8 second gap by her American teammate Evelyn Stevens with a time of 11:20. Third was Willock with Dvorak finishing in fourth.

Today's stage is a technical, challenging course. The weather promises to be a factor with hot temperatures and windy conditions. With so many teams in contention for the overall, as well as the sprinter, climber, and young rider’s jersey up for grabs, the action promises to be as hot as the weather.

Paying It Forward

On another note, the riders of peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 visited over 100 children yesterday to talk about life as a professional athlete and team building values.

Stay tuned to more race reports and news from Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 on their Facebook page and Twitter account.

Redlands, CA — As the 2011 Redlands Bicycle Classic is set to kick off the start line will be full of talented riders and touching stories, but one rider stands above the rest for his character, charisma, compassion, and competitive spirit…David Bailey.

The Legend Award, established in 2007, honors a past RBC athlete who has embodied enduring class, sportsmanship, and character throughout their career. Created in the spirit and long traditions that make the community of Redlands historic, the “Legends” award is given to a rider who represents all the best attributes of a professional cyclist, both on and off the bike, and contributes to the sport in a positive way.

Competing at the Redlands Bicycle Classic for a third year, the San Diego resident, and legend in the sport of motocross, boasts an athletic career that few can rival. However, it’s David’s character, perseverance, and positive attitude that have made him legendary. As an inductee of the Motocross Hall of Fame, Multi-time MX/SX Champion, and 2000 Kona Ironman World Champion (wheelchair division) David is in elite company as far as athletes are concerned.

“David Bailey has the true character of a legend both personally and athletically”, says Scott Welsh, Marketing Director for the Redlands Bicycle Classic. “Of course the motocross and handcycling accomplishments are incredible feats, but it’s the calm, confident demeanor, and the positive presence that David exudes that makes him the overwhelming choice for this year’s Legends Award, we are pleased to honor him with this award!”

"We are very pleased to have yet another first at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, presenting the Legend Award to a well deserving and accomplished athlete who now represents our disabled community with pride and passion.” says Dan Rendler, Redlands Bicycle Classic President.

Just as Redland’s rich history is paid tribute to in historic buildings and monuments throughout the city, The Redlands Bicycle Classic will be paying tribute to its Legend Award winner at a special presentation to take place in front of the downtown Redlands crowd Sunday, April 3rd. At the downtown ceremony David will be recognized for his achievements in and out of the handcycle seat and awarded the 2011 Redlands Bicycle Classic Legend Award.

For more information, including race times, distances, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.redlandsclassic.com.

Lance Armstrong’s Trek-LIVESTRONG Cycling Team and Other World Champions To Answer Fan’s Questions Each Race Day

Cycling fans are among the most dedicated and least served of any major sport. Cycling coverage is finally increasing but without any insider’s view of the sport or any accessible way for fans to connect with their favorite athletes. Two years of research and testing led to the development of InsideCycling.TV, a partnership with YouTube and Inside Media which brings fan’s questions directly to the pros, answered via video within hours.

“As a former cyclist and avid cycling fan I grew frustrated with not being able to know more about my idols and I decided to start researching other fan’s views,” said Kevin Smith, Executive Producer of Inside Media. “After two years of surveys and successful testing in the studio, on the road and on the web we are ready to interact with fans to bring their questions directly to the pros starting with our formal launch at the Redlands Bicycle Classic.”

Currently Inside Cycling TV will be bringing fans’ questions to Lance Armstrong’s Trek-LIVESTRONG Cycling Team, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Kristin Armstrong, and Alexi Grewal, the first person to win Gold for America in cycling and who is attempting a comeback after years of hard knocks. A history of the Redlands Bicycle Classic, man-on-the-street race highlights and additional interviews will round out the start of the season.

The show will air April 1, 2 & 3 from 6:00-7:00pm Pacific on YouTube.com/insidecyclingtv

Fans can send questions and interact with riders and producers in several ways:

• Sign up for a free YouTube account and post at YouTube.com/insidecyclingtv
• Twitter questions to: @insidecyclingtv and use hashtag #ictv
• Via email at fans@insidecycling.tv
• On Facebook: friend us and send your questions through the wall

Minneapolis — New teams and new favorites make this year's Women's Prestige Cycling Series wide open when it begins Thursday in California with the Redlands Bicycle Classic.

Since 2004, the Series has highlighted women’s racing by giving them a spotlight they do not have to share with men. It is the only national series solely for women and is considered to be the heir apparent to the HP International Women’s Challenge, which ended its 19-year run in 2002.

Last year’s winner, Mara Abbott (inset), returns to defend her individual title, but she will not be supported by her new Diadora Safi-Pasta team. Instead, she will be guest riding for SC Velo-Empower Coaching. Other favorites for the individual title include two-time world time trial champion Kristin Armstrong, who managed Abbott last year as part of the Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 squad. Armstrong, the 2008 Olympic time trial gold medalist and four-time Nature Valley Grand Prix champion, has come out of retirement to ride for Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12. Other individual contenders are Cath Cheatley (Colavita Forno D'Asolo), who finished third in the Series last year, and former world time trial champion Amber Neben (HTC-Highroad).

Neben's teammate, Amanda Miller, is the favorite for the Women's Prestige Cycling Series Best Young Rider competition. An alumna of the Nature Valley Grand Prix’s Collegiate All Star team, Miller was runner-up at the San Dimas Stage Race, the traditional tune-up for Redlands. The 25-year-old is also the only rider who retains her age edibility from the top five of last year's Best Young Rider classification.

The Series Sprint classification is wide open. Last year’s champion, Carla Swart, was killed in a training accident in January, while runner-up Shelley Olds is racing in Europe. Third-place finisher Carmen Small (Team TIBCO/To The Top) may be challenged by Cheatley or Abbott, particularly if they are not contesting the individual title.

On paper, HTC-Highroad is the favorite to unseat 2010 team champion Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY12. While HTC-Highroad is stacked with talent, Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY12 has lost Olds (to Diadora-Pasta Zara-Manhattan) and Abbott. However, Armstrong's return from retirement may well fill that gap. Other teams that could be in contention include Colavita Forno D'Asolo and Team TIBCO/To The Top.

2011 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series Teams:
Colavita Forno D'Asolo
Danbury Audi
HTC-Highroad
Missing Link Coaching Systems-Specialized
NOW-MS Society
Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12
Primal/MapMyRide
SC Velo-Empower Coaching
Team Juvederm
Team Rouse
Team Kenda presented by GEARGRINDER
Team TIBCO/To The Top
Vanderkitten-Focus
Webcor Alto Velo

Photo: Stephanie Williams

Redlands, CA — You’ve heard the saying “A family that plays together, stays together.” No doubt a reminder to us all that staying active and involved in each other’s lives is the key to strong and loving family relationships.

Meet the Gamboa family; John, Colleen, and daughter Rebecca, a family that doesn’t just ‘play together’, they volunteer together. For the Gamboa’s the countless hours they have spent volunteering for the Redlands Bicycle Classic has bonded them closely, not just because of the amount of time invested, but because of the positive environment and spirit that an event like the RBC evokes. John, Colleen and Rebecca have been volunteers for and members of the Redlands Bicycle Classic Organizing Committee for 14 years and are a model of family commitment and community spirit.

“We started out wanting to give back to the community and support a great event,” says John, Assistant Chief Race Marshall. “But it quickly became a passion we all shared. Our roles within the event and the committee have grown over the years, but it’s the time we spend working alongside each other as a family that has been the most rewarding.”

The all-volunteer Redlands Bicycle Classic Organizing Committee is unique in the world of cycling events, it is one of only a handful of events throughout USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar that is promoted, managed, and run by volunteers. This is a heritage and reputation of which the Redlands Classic Organizing Committee and the Redlands community is very proud.

“I’m continually inspired by the commitment and sacrifice that our committee puts forth to create a world class event,” says Dan Rendler, Redlands Bicycle Classic President. “There are inspiring stories like the Gamboa family throughout our organization, from the committee level to the generous families that open their homes with the Host Housing Program; this event gets support from amazing people throughout Redlands and its surrounding communities.”

Volunteers are what make an event like the Redlands Bicycle Classic possible; if you, your family, your children, your friends, or even your neighbors are looking for a community event to be involved in, look no further than the Redlands Bicycle Classic. With the core values of promoting Health, Diversity, and the Environment through an active and healthy lifestyle, an organizing committee of fun, hard working folks and the opportunity to be a part of one of Redlands largest events of the year, The Redlands Bicycle Classic clearly offers a unique and rewarding volunteer opportunity.

For more information on the many volunteer opportunities such as Race Marshalling, Assistant Judging, Awards Presenting, Neutral Support Help, Host Housing, and Event Registration or simply to start your own family heritage like the Gamboa family please go to www.redlandsclassic.com or contact Chief Race Marshall Penny Adams directly at tpadams@redlandsclassic.com.

Redlands, CA — Still reeling from an influx of record entrants for this year’s event, the all-volunteer Redlands Bicycle Classic Organizing Committee has announced the teams and competitors for this year’s race including 15 women’s teams and 27 men’s teams.

“We expect to see nothing less than fireworks this year!” says Executive Committee Member and Marketing Director Scott Welsh. “The men’s field has plenty of star power across multiple generations, with young talents like Lachlan Morton (Chipotle Development) and the legendary Alexi Grewal (Swamis Development). And on the women’s side, the race is equally stacked! With very strong teams like Colavita Forno D’Asolo and HTC Highroad, not to mention individual champions Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12), a former 2-time World Time Trial Champion, and Mara Abbott (inset, SC Velo-Empower Coaching), former RBC overall/stage winner and current Giro Donne champion, the racing is sure to be fierce.”

The 2010 men’s overall champion Ben Day returns with a new team (Kenda presented by Geargrinder) and eye to score his second overall title at the 2011 Redlands Bicycle Classic presented by PossAbilities. However, the women’s peloton starts without returning champion Ina-Yoko Teutenburg, leaving a vacancy that each woman in the field will be vying to fill.

Also among the notable entrants for 2011 is the U.S. Military Cycling Team, a program and race team entirely made up soldier-athletes that maintain elite level cycling fitness while holding full-time military careers.

“Certainly, we are excited about the entire roster of men and women who will be competing here.” Says Eric Reiser, Race Director. “But having the US Military Cycling Team attend our race represents something special for our event and our community, we are very proud to have men and women in uniform competing with us in Redlands.”

Besides a robust contingent of continental team talent at this years’ event the PureBlack Racing Team will be making the long trip across the International Date Line to take the start of the Redlands Classic. Hailing from New Zealand, PureBlack Racing brings a full contingent of southern hemisphere talent that will be itching to make a stamp on the U.S. Racing scene.

With four challenging courses primed and ready to lay waste to a peloton of fresh legs, teams and competitors now set, and the growing anticipation of cycling fans across the nation all that awaits the start of another pavement scorching, white knuckle edition of the Redlands Bicycle Classic is time.

For more information, including race times, distances, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.redlandsclassic.com.

Photo: BrakeThrough Media

NRC Champion Luis Amaran and Alejandro Borrajo to Lead Squad at San Dimas Stage Race and Redlands Bicycle Classic

Northvale, NJ - The Jamis/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team will kick off the 2011 North American season in California at the San Dimas Stage Race on March 25 and Redlands Bicycle Classic in California on March 31. Directeur Sportif Sebastian Alexandre made the announcement.

“We’re excited to return to the US and start the NRC season,” said Alexandre. “We’ve got a strong squad with complementary talents, who together can deliver stage victories and top GC placements.”

NRC Champion Luis Amaran tops the Jamis/Sutter Home line-up for the San Dimas Stage Race and Redlands Bicycle Classic. A proven force in stage races, Amaran took third in the final road race at San Dimas and in the opening circuit race at Redlands in 2010. Sprinter Alejandro Borrajo, whose victory in the final stage of the Redlands Bicycle Classic was among the team’s highlights last season, is also a favorite. Borrajo’s brother Anibal is also a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced by his performance at the UCI 2.2 Vuelta de Chile in February where he claimed two podium and two top 10 finishes in the nine-stage race.

Amaran and the Borrajo brothers will be joined by veteran Jamis/Sutter Home riders Tyler Wren, who finished in the top 10 overall at San Dimas last year, Andy Guptill, and Nick Frey. Former Argentinean national track champion Fernando Antogna and Eric Schildge will make their North American debuts in Jamis/Sutter Home colors at San Dimas and Redlands.

Jamis/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team roster for San Dimas Stage Race and Redlands Bicycle Classic:

Luis Amaran
Fernando Antogna
Alejandro Borrajo
Anibal Borrajo
Nick Frey
Andy Guptill
Eric Schildge
Tyler Wren

Photo: Andy Guptill

NRC Champions Kick Off 2011 NRC Season in New Colors

Linden, NJ – The Colavita/Forno D’Asolo Pro Cycling Team will kick off the 2011 North American season in California at the San Dimas Stage Race on March 25 and Redlands Bicycle Classic in California on March 31. Directeur Sportif Rachel Heal made the announcement.

“We’re excited to start the NRC season with our new program,” said Heal. “Colavita/Forno D’Asolo is one team with squads in the US and Europe and both will be making headlines this year.”

Colavita/Forno D’Asolo’s US squad brings a formidable line-up to the San Dimas Stage Race and Redlands Bicycle Classic. NRC Champion Cath Cheatley, who added the New Zealand National Road Championship to her distinguished palmares during the North American off-season and took third overall at San Dimas in 2009, is well-positioned for top 10 GC finishes. Teammates Kelly Benjamin and Theresa Cliff-Ryan are expected to deliver strong results as well. Last year, Benjamin won the stage two road race at San Dimas and Cliff-Ryan won the stage two criterium at Redlands.

Cheatley, Benjamin, and Cliff-Ryan will be joined by veteran Colavita/Forno D’Asolo riders Andrea Dvorak, who finished 12th overall at San Dimas last year, and Heather Logan-Sprenger. Canadian National Criterium Champion Leah Kirchmann, Kristin Sanders, Lauren Hall, and Janel Holcomb will make their debuts in Colavita/Forno D’Asolo colors at San Dimas and Redlands.

Colavita/Forno D’Asolo Pro Cycling Team roster for San Dimas Stage Race and Redlands Bicycle Classic:

Kelly Benjamin
Cath Cheatley
Theresa Cliff-Ryan
Andrea Dvorak
Lauren Hall
Janel Holcomb
Leah Kirchmann
Heather Logan-Sprenger
Kristin Sanders

Photo: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us