Symmetrics increases women's team

Symmetrics Cycling has announced an increase in its elite women's cycling team from three to five riders for 2006. Returning riders Marni Hambleton, Maria Lee and Mandy Poitras will be joined by Stacey Spencer and Naomi Cooper to form a squad that Symmetrics Cycling director Jeremy Storie says boasts "remarkable credentials".

Mandy Poitras is a 15-time national champion, multiple World Cup winner, and worlds silver medalist on the track. She will continue to race for Symmetrics on the road and will wear the Canadian national criterium champion's jersey for 2006.

Marni Hambleton is coming off her best season ever with wins at Yaletown, TST, and Walla Walla, as well as winning the BC Cup overall and the BC Criterium Championships.

Maria Lee rode exceptionally well in support until hit by a car in June ending her season but is now back on the bike ready for 2006.

Joining Mandy, Marni, and Maria will be Stacey Spencer and Naomi Cooper. Spencer is making a return to competitive cycling after taking time off to give birth to her first child, Lilly. Stacey has ridden for several top US teams in the past and has twice won the criterium at the national championships.

Naomi Cooper is a junior national champion entering her first year as a senior. Naomi has raced both the road and the track at the world championships for Canada in her junior years.