Colavita/Cooking Light strengthens roster for 2006

With the signing of 2005 NRC champion and four-time national criterium champion Tina Pic and other former members of the Quark squad, the Colavita/Cooking Light Women's Cycling Team will enter the 2006 racing season with its strongest line-up to date. John Profaci, Vice President of Marketing for Colavita Olive Oil, and Chris Allen, Vice President and publisher of Cooking Light, the world's largest food magazine, made the announcement.

Returning to the Colavita/Cooking Light team are Canadian Time Trial champion and Fitchburg Longsjo winner Sue Palmer-Komar and Dotsie Cowden, who distinguished herself with breakthrough rides at the Tour of Gila and Tour of Altoona. The team has also signed Victory Brewing's top sprinter Gina Grain. "We are very excited about the upcoming season," says Profaci, "With a combined total of more than 50 domestic and international wins over the last two years, this foursome will be among the most formidable competitors in the North American peloton."

Completing the roster for 2006 are Canadian speed-skater turned cyclist Audrey Lemieux, a member of last year's Quark team, Brooke Ourada, formerly of T-Mobile, Sima Trapp who has qualified for the USA track talent pool for 2006, NRC debutante Sarah Tillotson, and Iona Wynter, who rode for Travel Girls and Quark last year.

Management for the Colavita/Cooking Light Women's Cycling Team will be provided by Team Sports under the leadership of former Quark director Jim Williams.