News

The International Cycling Union (UCI) presented its Cycling for All programme at the 12th World Sport for All Congress in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, last week. The Cycling for All and UCI Golden Bike Coordinator Georges-Emmanuel Denjean, was one of more than 500 participants from 96 countries who discussed subjects relating to the theme “Sport for All – for life”. The preoccupation of the sporting and health experts present was to encourage a regular practice of sport in a world where people are less and less active.

Three U.S. bike industry leaders were elected as Bikes Belong Coalition board officers at the organization’s November 18 meeting in Boulder, Colorado. Steve Meineke, president of Raleigh America, was picked to become president after serving three years as vice president. Former treasurer Chris Fortune, CEO of Saris Cycling Group, was named vice president. Michael Mercuri, VP of SRAM Corporation, was elected treasurer. All three began service immediately.

Cycling enthusiasts ready to add their favorite festival to the 2009 calendar can now find details about the Sea Otter Classic, a four-day Celebration of Sport, on its official website at www.seaotterclassic.com.

Dear Explainer dude,
I know that most of us talk as if this time of year is known as the “off-season,” but for some of us — and me in particular — this is the height of the cycling season. I love ‘cross. When I ride on the road, I’m thinking of cyclocross; when I ride my mountain bike it’s because I’m working on my ‘cross technique.

Well, there have always been a couple of things that have bothered me when it comes to cyclocross.

One is: why isn’t cyclocross an Olympic event?

At least one company is benefiting from the global economic crisis: Netherlands-based bicycle maker Accell predicted Wednesday that it will enjoy higher than expected 2008 profits due to rising sales. "Cycling remains popular in economically adverse times," Accell Group chief executive Rene Takens said in a statement. "Last summer’s increase in fuel prices caused a lot of consumers to think about alternative means of transportation. This led to a more frequent use of the bicycle."

The BikeReg.com MABRAcross series travels to Leesburg Virginia this Sunday, November 23, for the penultimate round of its most successful season ever.  The Tacchino Ciclocross is held annually near the Thanksgiving holiday at the stunning Ida-Lee Park.  The park, located just blocks away from the center of Leesburg’s historic old section, is a top-notch modern recreation facility with a panoramic view of the Catoctin Mountain range.   

Ric Hjerberg is leaving FSA, where has has worked for six years, most recently as technology manager. Hjertberg got his start in the bicycle business when he opened the Wheelsmith retail store in Palo Alto in 1975 with his brother Jon. Wheelsmith evolved into a spoke and wheel company.

Storck Bicycle and Vanderkitten Racing have announced a multi-year sponsorship deal that will place the Elite Women’s Team on Storck road bikes beginning with the 2009 racing season. “Our organization enjoyed a terrific 2008 season and we are confident that 2009 will be even more successful now that we will be riding Storcks”, said Robin Zellner, Managing Director - Vanderkitten Racing.

The Jazz Apple Women’s Cycling Team is pleased to announce their 2009 partnership with ‘sweat equity’ charity organization, Plus3Network. www.plus3network.com Plus3 Network, the brainchild of former Monterey Sea Otter Classic Director, Rick Sutton, combines incentive-oriented exercise with benefiting a broad cross-section of charities, including environmental protection and promoting equality and wellness causes. Former Olympian and Jazz Apple team owner, Susy Pryde is proud to unite the Jazz Apple Women’s dedication for cycling to the Plus3 Network

A national program is offering race promoters the opportunity to send their top amateurs to the 2009 edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix (Minnesota, June 10-14) to compete against the country’s top men and women professional bicycle racers. Entering its second year, the “Nature Valley Pro Ride” will select amateur men and women at regional races around the United States to become part of a pair of Nature Valley composite teams for the 11th annual edition of the five-day stage race that begins June 10.

SUGOI Performance Apparel, a division of Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A), today announced that a new Marketing Manager and a new Creative Services Manager have joined the Company.

The Zipp OVCX Tour incorporates the Ohio State Championships when it travels to suburban Columbus on Sunday, November 23.  The Cap City Cross will be held in Upper Arlington, a suburb of Ohio’s capital city of Columbus.

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Spanish track cyclist Joan Llaneras received an all-star sendoff Sunday in his farewell event in Madrid. Joined by Olympic road cycling gold medalist Samuel S��nchez, Tour de France champions Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador and ProTour winner Alejandro Valverde, the 39-year-old Llaneras officially ended his long career with a criterium on the outskirts of Madrid. This summer, Llaneras struck gold in the points race and silver in the Madison in Beijing and recently competed in some six-day events before his retirement bash this weekend.