The Redlands Bicycle Classic announce the teams competing in this year’s 30th Redlands Bicycle Classic presented by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The Redlands Bicycle Classic serves as the first race of the 2014 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar.
The Classic has been expanded to five days of racing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the event. As the first race of the USA National Racing Calendar this year looks set to be hotly contested, as riders look to get their hands on that first yellow jersey. The Redlands Classic once again serves as the first big test of the NRC race season.
Race Director Eric Reiser said “We are always blessed with a strong field every year of teams trying to make an early impression on the National Racing Calendar”.
The 30th edition men’s field will feature 26 race teams. The teams are made up of UCI Continental and Domestic Elite teams. Since its inaugural race in 1985 the field has included Tour de France stage winners, World Champions and Olympic Medalists. The Men’s field has featured many legendary names such as Chris Horner, Davis Phinney and Cadel Evans.
This year’s yellow jersey is once again up for grabs as Francisco Mancebo has joined a team based in United Arab Emirates. The 5-Hour Energy roster for 2014 still includes riders from 2013 team: Bobby Sweeting, David Williams, and James Stemper and under the direction of Frankie Andreau the 5-Hour squad should contend for stage wins as well as GC placements.
Additionally, fans will be treated to many other stage and GC contenders from last year such as 40 year old Freddie Rodriguez of Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis, Tom Zirbel of Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies, Juan Jose Haedo of Jamis Hagens Berman and many other young and talented riders such as Ty Magner of Hincapie Sportswear Development Team.
The women’s field will be led once again by Alison Powers. Powers completed a wire to wire victory last year after her strong time trial at Big Bear. Alison returns to Redlands on the newly formed United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team squad that includes Mara Abbott.
The United Healthcare team looks to be challenged by the talented riders of TWENTY 16, Team Tibco, Specialized-lululemon and Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies. From these teams many stage winners of past classics should emerge.
With an extra day of racing and two strong fields of riders the 2014 Redlands Bicycle Classic should give spectators a race worthy of a 30th edition.
Complete List of Teams Competing:
Men’s Pro Teams:
5 HR Energy Cycling Team
Astellas Cycling Team
Athlete Octane Cycling
Bissell Development Team
BMW Development Team
California Giant / Specialized
Canyon Bicycles – Shimano
Elbowz Racing
Garneau – Quebecor
Hagens Berman U23 Team
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Horizon Organic / Einstein Bros.
Incycle-Predator Components
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
Jet Fuel Coffee-Norco Bicycles Cycling Team
KHS-Maxxis
Landis – Trek
Marc Pro – Strava
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Sea Sucker / Guttenplan Coaching
Team Smartstop p/b Mountain Khakis
SoCalCycling.com / Craig Shelly
Team H & R Block
Jamis Hagens Berman
Team Mike’s Bike p/b Equator Coffees
Team Rio Grande Cycling
Women’s Pro Teams:
Cloud Racing p/b Ride 2 Recovery
DNA Cycling p/b K4
FCS / Zngine powered by Mr. Restore
Guru Cycles p/b Haute Wheels Racing
JETCycling Women’s Elite Team
Metromint Cycling
Monster Media
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Pinnacle Reactor p/b JL Velo Women’s Racing
Sisterhood of Cycling
Specialized-lululemon
SPY Giant Ride p/b MRI
Team Tibco / To the Top
Trek-Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
TWENTY 16
United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team
Vanderkitten
This year’s event will be held April 2 – 6, 2014 in Redlands, CA and surrounding cities. The race features professional men and women’s races that will include five tough days of racing, beginning with a Circuit Race in the City of Highland on Wednesday, a time trial at Big Bear Lake on Thursday, a grueling road race in the scenic City of Beaumont on Friday, wrapping up in Redlands with a criterium Saturday, and the famous Sunset Road Race on Sunday. For more information, including race times, distances, and volunteer opportunities, visit redlandsclassic.com.
Photo © Christy Nicholson / EchelonDesignPhoto.com
