Spike Professional Cycling Team Director Bill Ramsay announced an agreement with Raleigh America Incorporated to provide sponsorship for the newly formed team of track professionals, based in Colorado Springs. "We wanted to partner with a bike sponsor and industry leader that had a legitimate track racing heritage to give the team the advantage we need to succeed," commented Ramsay.
"This sponsorship continues a long history and winning heritage for the Raleigh brand in track racing," Raleigh America marketing director Reed Pike explained. "Highlights include multiple British and World Championships won by Reg Harris in the 1940’s and 1950’s as well as the successes of US Olympians in the 1984 Olympic Games."
The Spike Pro Track team will target the USA/UCI National Track Series, USA Cycling National Track Championships, USA Cycling World Cup Qualifier events and select World Cup Track events beginning in January 2006. The team roster includes Steven Alfred, Benjamin Barczewski, Michael Blatchford, Andrew Lakatosh, Ryan Luttrell, Giddeon Massie, Becky Quinn, Jennie Reed and Kevin Suhr.
"This is an historic day for U.S. cycling and for this team," says Ramsay. "The quality of athletes and staff combined with the commitment of Spike and now Raleigh America to the program ensures that this team will achieve great results. I believe we are uniquely positioned to take track racing to the professional level in the United States."
In addition to the pro track team, Raleigh America will be sponsoring the elite Spike Masters Team. The new Spike Masters Team will contest Colorado road, cyclocross and track events as well as USA Cycling road, track and cyclocross national championships in 2006.
