With its acquisition of DBL Realtors, Sotheby's International Realty has also taken over the name of U.S. amateur team Team DBL, which will now be known as Team Sotheby's. The team will continue racing in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a non-profit group dedicated to providing mentors and friends for children whose lives are missing a primary role model. The team's new motto is, "We Race, Kids Win", and just like last year, every penny of the team's race winnings and prize money will go directly to the BBBS program. In 2005, Team Sotheby's is giving an additional 5% of their 2005 cash budget straight to the kids.
The team just finished a short training camp in the SoCal cycling mecca of Solvang, and will kick off the racing season at Valley of the Sun in Phoenix. The team will focus on regional events, but will also race the California NRC races, as well as Tour of the Gila, CSC Invitational and Superweek.
Equipment sponsors have remained on board for 2005. The team will ride Orbea Onix carbon frames, Oval Concepts forks, bars, stems and posts, and WTB saddles and accessories. New team sponsor Challenge provides handmade racing and training tires in clincher and tubular versions.
