Targetraining announced today that it will join the US professional peloton as a UCI Continental Pro team for 2006. Targetraining will focus on the US National Racing Calendar circuit. Tom Schuler will be team manager, having previously run squads such as Saturn and more recently Advantage Benefits Endeavour.
The 2006 squad will be co-captained by Anthony Colby and Frank Pipp. Colby has shown strong climbing ability, winning the Green Mountain Stage Race in Vermont, finishing second to Tyler Hamilton in the Mount Washington Hill Climb, and placing well in a number of NRC events. Pipp led the Advantage Benefits Endeavour team in 2005, winning the 2005 Superweek sprinter's title - he'll bring big race experience to the programme.
Pro mountain biker Todd Wells will join the team for key events, and along with Alejandro Acton, Ryan Blickem, Josh Bezecny, Dustin MacBurnie, Eneas Freyre, Dan Greenfield, Wes Hartman and Matt Shriver will look to make a mark in the NRC.
Rick Spear, CEO of Targetraining, is excited about the team's step up. "The Targetraining Pro Cycling Team shows investment both in the sport as well as in athletes that we work with and develop," he said. "Tom Schuler and Rick Crawford bring patience, insight and the will to succeed. Together, Tom and Rick will give our racers the best chance to excel."
According to team manager Tom Schuler, "Targetraining's sponsorship is unique because it is focused on developing athletes and on fitness. I hope that my experience will help make Targetraining's programme a success in 2006." More information about the team can be found at www.targetraining.com
