Katusha and Xacobeo Galicia announced rosters for the Vuelta a Andalucia running February 15-19. Its riders will challenge the race's favorites including Samuel Sanchez, Cadel Evans and Denis Menchov.
David Garcia, winner of stage 15 of the Vuelta a España and the Tour of Turkey in 2008, will lead Xacobeo Galicia for his 2009 season racing debut. At his side will be in the round Andalusian Gustavo Domínguez, Eduard Vorganov, Pedro Fernandez, Iban Mayoz, Delio Fernandez and Serafin Martinez.
Team Katusha will be sending Alexander Botcharov, Nikita Escov, Danilo Napolitano, Christian Pfannberger, Filippo Pozzato, Ivan Rovny and Gert Steegmans.
British women's team heads for Africa
A British women's cycling team, HotChillee Challenge, will compete for the first time in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on March 8 in Cape Town, South Africa. The team will be led by Great Britain's Emma Davies, a former professional who has competed in two Olympic Games.
"I spent 12 years as a pro-cyclist and I miss having something to focus on. Leading the HotChillee Challenge Team is the perfect solution – I can keep fit and enjoy competitive cycling. I can never say 'no' to a challenge," said Davies, who fought her way back to winning a Commonwealth bronze medal in 2006, after breaking her back in a hit and run accident. She will be joined by ex-international triathlete, Tanja Slater; 19-year-old Alice Monger-Godfrey and Colorado-based professional, Joanne Kiesanowski and Penny Krohn, a Cape Town cycling personality.
Scott Sunderland, a former Team CSC - Saxo Bank team director, is acting as the team's 'manager' but said it was only for fun. "It's a non-paid favour I'm doing the women. They will be handing over a cheque to the great charity initiative there," Sunderland said. His main focus in South Africa will be riding the event himself.
While in South Africa, the team will deliver a cheque for 18,000 British pounds (260,000 South African Rand) to the Christel House charity in Cape Town which works to empower children through education. The money was raised by riders in last year's London-Paris Cycle Tour, an event staged by the HotChillee sports events company.
Sunderland, who also survived a horrific cycling accident, said, "It's fantastic to see a British women's team taking on the Cycle Tour, and I hope the women will be an inspiration to the country's cyclists. Women's cycling is booming, and the team is proud to fly the flag for Britain."
Team Ultralink for 2009
Following its successful 2008 season Team Ultralink will field a CCA women's trade team as well as a master men's team. The women's team will focus on the Canada's most significant cycling events, from UCI races to the Tour de PEI and BC Superweek while the men's team will participate in regional events such as the Ontario and Quebec Cups and the North American Masters Championships. Both teams will also target the Canadian National Championships.
"Building a winning program year after year is a challenge," said Allen Sung, President of Ultralink Products, "but we're sure our teams are capable of continuing the winning tradition established over the previous two seasons. These young riders show a talent and dedication to excellence that our company is delighted to be a part of."
In addition to racing, the team will organize the 2009 Ultralink Ontario Cup on April 19 at the Calabogie Motorsports Track, about 30 minutes Southwest of Ottawa. For more information, visit www.teamultralink.com
Team Ultralink for 2009
Pro Women: Julia Farell, Allison Lampi, Chloe St-Arnaud Watt, Carrie Cartmill, Krystal Jeffs, Shanie Bergeron, Emma Peterson
Master Men: Tom Stevens, Ian Fraser, Mark Roundell, Dan Coldrey, Andrew Lees, David Gazsi, Andrew Kruger, Paul Chedore, Alistair Scott
