Team Carbon Zero gear up for debut

Dec 2nd, 09.  This weekend's Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling will see the debut of a new cycling team. Team Carbon Zero Cycling is NZ's first carbon neutral cycling team.

Carbon Zero Cycling Team - part of the solution

"The team will ensure all it's activities will be carbon neutral, meaning the team's carbon emissions for its full year's participation in events both local and away will be offset by the purchase of carbon credits, thus also the 'carbon zero' statement of the teams name," Ellerm told RoadCycling.co.nz.

As well as their carbon neutral approach, the team also has a unique approach to sponsorship. 

They are encouraging sponsors to align their own sustainability profile with that of the team, rather than aligning the team with sponsors products. 

The team byline is "be part of the solution", an important issue to them is the need to reduce carbon emissions at a personal level. 

"The very nature of using a cycle for transport can have an immediate impact on reducing these emissions," said Ellerm.

Of course this team isn't all about the message, it is also about developing riders to succeed in road cycling.

"For me it's about developing young riders along with a balanced mix of experienced team members to mentor these young guys into the next possible crop of world beating U23s. We want to seriously challenge our riders and broaden their experience of European styled team based racing," said Ellerm whose 17 year old Darcy is in the team.

Their plan is to kick start their season with this weekend's Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling in Christchurch, focus on the Benchmark series as a key objective and the Tour of Southland as their final goal.

Team Captain Johno Gee on the team

"I am honoured to be a team member of Team Carbon Zero. We are a new fresh and exciting cycling team. Racing as a team we are confident we have the riders, talent and skills to win some elite events this upcoming 2009/2010 season," Gee told RoadCycling.co.nz

"Team racing is an important aspect of cycling - to win as an individual and succeed as a team. Our Team Carbon Zero starts out this weekend with some NZ road cycling stars such as Jason Christie."

"As a team we would love to help him win races this season to help the teams image and message grow. Team Carbon Zero has a very bright future with some younger members and up and coming NZ road cycling stars like the 2009 South Island Schools Champion Darcy Ellerm-Norton and Nick Hand."

Johno Gee has his own remarkable story of sustainability. Sustainability of life. 

"I came very close to death in mid 2008. The day before the Around Brunner road race, I was hit by a 4WD whilst out training. I am proud to have overcome some significantly severe injuries and medical predictions to become the 2009 Canterbury Road Cycling Champion."

"I plan to use my race history and knowledge to help Team Carbon Zero obtain it's racing goals and raise awareness to the public of reducing carbon emmissions."

Armstrong Festival of Cycling goals

Jason Christie shows the team kit

Team Carbon Zero Cycling's goal this weekend is to make an impact on the race by participating as a team and maybe getting some team members in the top 10.

"We have some strong guys like Johno Gee, Jason Christie, Mike Sleeman, strong support riders Nigel Pink, Kyle Ralfe and young talented guys, Darcy Ellerm Norton (Bike NZ U19 Development Squad) and Nick Hand," said Ellerm.

"To us it's about the end game, not trying to podium for any particular event but where and how the team develops from here over the coming season and next few years."

Ellerm said the development of the team will cover areas of training, nutrition, hydration and equal team member participation in goal setting and personal development.

"We are following the saying of 'a champion team not a team of champions', to which end we are selecting team members who are prepared to ride as a team not individuals."

At this stage Team Carbon Zero Cycling is an amateur cycling team, but Ellerm says the long game is to become a pro team.

Team Carbon Zero Cycling for the Festival of Cycling

• Johno Gee
• Jason Christie
• Mike Sleeman
• Nigel Pink
• Kyle Ralfe
• Darcy Ellerm Norton
• Nick Hand

Other articles on the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling, Christchurch 5-6 December.

• Alex Ray out sprints world class field
• Aussie wins Festival of Cycling Criterium
• Favourites win Long Bays Classic
• Long Bays Classic Results
• Bici Vida ready for the Festival
• Festival fever for Subway Avanti's fastman
• Another team joins the revolution
• Rider list for Elite criterium
• Rider list for Elite Road Race
• Track stars sign for Festival of Cycling
• Team Carbon Zero gear up for debut
• Home advantage for Benchmark Homes Team
• Bauer keen on Festival of Cycling criterium
• Southland winner heads to Festival of Cycling