Trek partners with Kiwi U23 team

The NZ U23 team supported by Trek (from left) Aaron Gate, Jason Christie, Shane Archbold, Cameron Karwowski, Myron Simpson and Will Bowman. ©Gerry McManus

Apr 11th, 11. Trek Bicycle, in conjunction with NZ Trek distributor, Cycle Sport NZ Ltd, today announced its sponsorship of the New Zealand National U23 Team.

Citing the opportunity to work with one of the world's best national development programs, in one of the world's most passionate cycling markets, Trek added the New Zealand U23 Team to its hugely successful US based LiveStrong U23 programme. 

"We are passionate about our commitment to building the next generation of great riders," said Trek Road Brand Manager Nick Howe.

"Working with the best teams and riders is essential to the development and refinement of our cutting-edge racing products.

"New Zealand is well known for its cycling culture and passion and we're honoured to be partners with such a successful programme from a cycling-centric community."

The New Zealand National U23 team will ride the Trek Madone 5.2 throughout the 2011 race season. Incorporating the same geometry and technologies that have delivered victory in 9 of the last 12 Tours de France, Trek believe the Madone is well poised to provide racing success for the young New Zealand squad.

The six-strong team is headed by recent World Track Championship silver medallist Shane Archbold (Timaru), his track teammate Aaron Gate (Auckland), Commonwealth games rep Myron Simpson (Auckland), 2009 World Junior Gold Medallist Cameron Karwowski (Blenheim), Jason Christie (Ashburton) and Will Bowman (Christchurch).

The team is based in Belgium for the duration of the 2011 season. Announcing the team, Bike NZ High Performance Director Mark Elliott said there was clear evidence that endurance track riders benefit enormously from an international road campaign. He hoped this programme would become a long term part of the development of New Zealand's best road and track riders.

Elliott said while some in this group will push for inclusion in the New Zealand team for the Olympics in London 2012, all will be candidates looking towards the 2016 Olympics.

The team face an exhaustive road programme including six major stage races headlined by the seven-day Thuringen-Rundfahrt u23 tour in Germany, the eight-day An Post Ras in Ireland and the nations cup Tour de L'Avenir, an eight-day stage race in France.

During the season the team will also take part in a three-week camp at altitude at the UCI's training base at Aigle in Switzerland.

There are also many local club races in Belgium and plenty of major one day races to challenge the young riders.  Four of the team had their major race debut over the weekend when they joined with fellow Kiwis Wade Mangham and Tom David in the Tour of Flanders, where David placed 12th.