AUGUST 16, 2010

Oakland, CA – The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis has registered to move up to Professional Continental status for the 2011 season.

“We’ve begun the application process, and we don’t anticipate any problems in getting approved,” said Thierry Attias, President of Momentum Sports Group, which operates UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis. “Our intent is to be a Professional Continental squad for the 2011 racing season.”

Teams applying for both Professional Continental and Pro Tour status fill out similar applications. The UCI determines, based on what they call sporting value – quality of the roster and financial status among the criteria – which teams will get the 17 Pro Tour licenses and which will be classified as Professional Continental.

“UHC’s support for our Team this season, which was their first as the Team’s title sponsor, has been very enthusiastic throughout 2010,” Attias said. “Their support is allowing us to take that next step up to Professional Continental status. We’re pleased to be associated with a health-conscious, forward thinking company like UnitedHealthcare.”

In moving the Team to Pro Continental status for 2011, Momentum Sports Group is working to strengthen every aspect of the Team and the infrastructure surrounding the Team. To begin with, the Team is adding to an already impressive roster with the goal of once again competing for the overall title of the Amgen Tour of California, as well as the new Quiznos Pro Challenge in Colorado. The Team’s race schedule will also include a strong European component, as well a number of races in Asia. Currently, MSG is looking to retain staff level support and resources in Europe for 2011.

“Right now, our tentative plan is to have roughly 70 race days in Europe, and 25 to 30 in Asia, as well as 90 to 100 race days in North American next year,” Michael Tamayo, the Team’s General Manager, stated.

While the roster hasn’t been finalized, the Team is bringing back a strong core from its current roster, including 2010 Team leader Rory Sutherland (AUS), as well as Tasmanian Karl Menzies. Both riders had strong performances in the Amgen Tour of California, with Sutherland posting a 7th overall finish. Other current riders who have been confirmed for 2011 are Hilton Clarke, Jonny Clarke, Adrian Hegyvary, Max Jenkins, Jake Keough, Morgan Schmitt and Brad White.

MSG is also in the process of signing new riders to the Team. MSG has finalized contracts with several riders, including three North American-based riders: Scott Zwizanski (USA), Chris Jones (USA) and Davide Frattini (IT).

Zwizanski, who comes to the team from Kelly Benefit Strategies, is a strong time trialist and one-day rider, who recently won the Tour of Elk and finished 2nd overall to Sutherland at the Nature Valley Grand Prix after winning the opening time trial.

Jones is a climber who, riding for Team Type 1, spent a lot of time near the front of the Amgen Tour of California when the race turned uphill. The Californian finished 7th in last year’s U.S. Pro Road Race Championship.

Frattini, who also comes over from Team Type 1, has been one of the most consistent and respected riders in North America for most of this decade. He first gained notoriety in 2001 when he won the U26 Giro d’Italia, and he adds versatility to the squad.

“All three of these new riders bring different strengths to the Team,” Tamayo said. “We have some pretty big goals for 2011, and these guys will help us establish a presence in the European peloton while continuing to be one of the dominant teams in North America. We’re going to continue to build our roster with the goal of competing successfully in the Amgen Tour of California, and building our schedule to make sure we are as prepared as possible for that race in particular.

“We’re definitely not done yet with rider signings,” Tamayo added. “We expect to return most of our current roster, and we’re in talks with several more new riders who would bring us more international experience. There’s definitely more to come.”

Riders confirmed for UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis for 2011:
Returning
Rory Sutherland (AUS)
Karl Menzies (AUS)
Hilton Clarke (AUS)
Jonny Clarke (AUS)
Adrian Hegyvary (USA)
Max Jenkins (USA)
Jake Keough (USA)
Morgan Schmitt (USA)
Brad White (USA)

New
Davide Frattini (IT)
Chris Jones (USA)
Scott Zwizanski (USA)

Photo: Jonathan Devich, Epic Images

Print | posted on Monday, August 16, 2010 12:00 AM