The Cycling Development Foundation (CDF) today announced the roster, sponsors, and race schedule for the 2015 Astellas Cycling Team. The 2015 season sees the Astellas Cycling Team return for a second year in the UCI America tour. The 2014 squad took victories across America from Georgia, South Carolina, to California, and as far north as Wisconsin. The season culminated with victories in the USA crits individual and team overall.
“We are looking to build on our strong first year as a professional team,” said Andrew Frey, CDF principal and team director. “We look forward to achieving success with our core of experienced riders, as well as develop younger talent in a sustainable way.” Frey was also excited to welcome back Astellas Pharma US, Inc., who continues as title sponsor. “It’s the fourth season they have supported our team,” he added.
In addition to returning Astellas as the title sponsor, the team also renewed partnerships with Litespeed, Pactimo, and 3T. New supporting partners in 2015 include Fast Forward, HT, Smanie, Bollé, Pro Gold, Northwave, and Limar.
Frey is excited with the roster changes for 2015. “We pride ourselves on a great mix of riders from many different backgrounds and nationalities. The younger guys have a sustainable place to learn their trade and the experienced riders have a team they can really blossom in. We can’t wait to get on the road,” he added.
The team features six new riders, including one who will be starting his first professional season and one who will be starting his last. Jake Silverberg, 18, is the current American junior criterium champion and first year professional. Adam Myerson, patron of US criterium racing, will retire from road racing after he crosses the finish line of his hometown race, the Mayors Cup in September. Returning riders include Brecht Dhaene who scored numerous top 10 results in his first North American campaign, as well as serial winner Justin Williams, who will continue to be the team’s protected sprinter.
With racing across North America and Europe, the Astellas Cycling Team looks to build on its successes on the road in the NRC and selected UCI races as well as in criteriums in the USA Crits series as well as the NCC.
Returning Riders
Cortlan Brown (Utah – USA), Brandon Feehery (Illinois – USA), Stephen Hyde (Massachusetts – USA), Clay Murfet (Tasmania – Australia), Hogan Sills (Illinois – USA), Ryan Aitcheson (Ontario – Canada), Matthew Green (London – England), Brecht Dhaene (East Flanders – Belgium), Justin Williams (California – USA)
Newcomers
Peter Olejniczak (Minnesota – USA), Max Jenkins (California – USA), Jake Silverberg (Florida – USA), Daniel Gardner (Brighton – England), Adam Myerson (Massachusetts – USA), Jake Sitler (Pennsylvania – USA)
Above Photo – Justin Williams returns to the Astellas Cycling Team for 2015.
Photo by Christy Nicholson / EchelonDesignPhoto.com
