The 'Other Bean Team' is back!

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Team presentation report for February 21, 2005

Jelly Belly-Pool Gel Cycling Team Presentation, San Marcos, CA, February 11, 2005

While Jittery Joes keeps their riders caffeine addictions at bay with their home-grown coffee beans, the Jelly Belly/Pool Gel boys have no fear when the time comes for a sugar rush. Mitch Friedman reports from their team presentation last week in San Marcos, California.

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On a rainy Friday in San Marcos, California, the Jelly Belly - Pool Gel Cycling Team launched their 2005 team to the press and sponsors at the Hampton Inn for their seventh year of operation and their sixth as a pro cycling team.

A number of long-time equipment sponsors are back, with Orbea in its third year of sponsoring the Jelly Belly boys and Campagnolo in its fifth. As the team showed off their new Orbea race and training bikes, it was noted that the carbon monocoque Orbea Orca will once again be the team's race machine, now equipped with a lighter carbon fork, and Orbea's Columbus Starship aluminium frames will be used for training. Both bikes exhibit the same geometry, and will be equipped with Campagnolo's Chorus group, with the race bikes using Campy's carbon cranks.

After a bit of lunch, PR man and team rider, Kirk Albers, who has been on the team since its inception as an amateur cycling team, introduced the title and supporting sponsors. Back for its sixth year, Jelly Belly was founded in 1976 and made famous by former president Ronald Reagan, who was often seen handing out for Jelly Belly's sweets during his time in office. Pool Gel, a new title sponsor for 2005, showed their enthusiasm for the sport at the presentation and are keen to promote their chemical-free and environmentally safe pool cleaning products.

Aramark is back for its fifth year with the team, and Lexus and Rudy Project are here for number seven, as the team's car and helmets and sunglasses sponsors respectively. Italian clothing brand Santini will once again fit out the Belly boys, whose outfits will be available for sale to the general public.

In the footwear department, Gaerne cycling shoes are back, equipping riders with their Elios carbon-soled shoes, and sock maker De Feet will keep them from getting smelly. Gatorade will refresh the riders for the fifth year, with riders rolling on Vittoria and holding onto ITM bars and stems wrapped in Velo bar tape. Saddles with be courtesy of Sella Italia, and Park Tools will help keep the bikes going strong all year round.

Each sponsor had a few words to say before it was time to introduce the team line-up for 2005:

Kirk Albers (USA), 7th year on team
Ben Brooks (Australia), 3rd year on team
Alex Candelario (USA), 2nd year on team
Mariano Friedick (USA), 7th year on the team
Caleb Manion (Australia), 2nd year on the team
Jeremy Powers (USA), 2nd year on the team
Brice Jones (USA), ex Health Net rider
Danny Pate (USA), ex Health Net rider
Kayle Leogrande (USA), neo-pro
Matt Rice (Australia), ex-Cyclingnews.com
David McCook (USA), ex McGuire rider, 1994 USPRO Criterium champion

Team Director: Danny Van Haute

Click here to go to the Jelly Belly/Pool Gel Cycling Team at the Cyclingnews teams database.