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Ellsworth Sponsors Velo Bella Elite Cyclocross Team
10.27.2009 – Media Contact:
Craig Randall
Verde PR & Consulting
craig@verdepr.com
970-764-7474
RAMONA, CA – Ellsworth Handcrafted Bikes, a market leader in technology
innovation and sustainable business practices, has partnered with the Velo Bella
women’s cyclocross team for the 2009-2010 season. Ellsworth has provided the
team’s elite racers with its redesigned “Roots” cyclocross bikes.
Known for its support of women’s cancer research and cycling development,
Ellsworth believes there is more to women’s cycling than gender-specific frame
geometry. “Cycling at its core is about fun and healthy living. The biggest impact we
can make as a company is to encourage women’s participation in the sport and
support grassroots programs like Velo Bella,” said founder and CEO Tony Ellsworth.
Many of the women who ride for Velo Bella juggle racing with fulltime jobs, school,
and family. An extra commitment common to every member of the team, however, is
to help develop women’s cycling. Velo Bella elite racers regularly lead Saturday or
Sunday morning skills clinics for beginners and then pin on numbers to race
against professionals in the afternoon.
The roster is made up of veterans and promising new riders: Kathy Sherwin (a
frequent top 10 finisher in national races), Kari Studley (UCI podium place already in
’09), Devon Haskell (Division II collegiate national CX champion), Shannon Gibson
(Master's 40-44 National CX champion in 2007), Jen Tilley, Brenna Lopez-Otero,
Kelly Chang, Natasha Perry, Marian Jamison, and Beth Welliver.
Fittingly named for its place in Ellsworth lore, the “Roots” is a racing bike that has
been routinely improved since its 1996 debut. The bike was built with the two
specific needs of a cross racer: drop bar efficiency with off-road stability. The Roots
features a geometrically tuned Rare Earth Carbon rear triangle, comfortable
shouldering top tube ergonomics, and a cyclocross-specif