Team enters its fourth year of competition with nineteen racers
Heavy Rotation Cycling announced today a new title sponsor in Subaru Santa Monica, a presenting sponsor in Alfa, and their roster for the 2018 season.
2017 was another successful year for the team. The squad continued to excel throughout the season, achieving the following:
- 14 wins, 30 podiums, 55 top tens
- 1st and 2nd place in the M35+ SoCal Cup Competition
- M35+ Team Time Trial California State Champions
- 2nd and 3rd place in the M35+ California State Road Race Championship
- 9th in the M35+ U.S. National Road Race Championships
- 4th in the M40+ U.S. National Criterium Championships
- Finalist for the South Bay Cycling’s Male Racer of the Year
Just as important as competition, the team prides itself on establishing themselves as true ambassadors within the Los Angeles community.
“Subaru Santa Monica is really excited to support the local cycling community,” said Subaru Santa Monica owner James Hartzberg. “The Santa Monica community has been the foundation for competitive cycling in Southern California. Cycling is not only a competitive and recreational sport, but also a way of life for the residents of Santa Monica. So many people use bicycles as transportation to and from work, running errands, etc. We are fortunate to have the support of the city of Santa Monica. Santa Monica is such a bicycle-friendly community with bicycle lanes, etc. Cycling, the City of Santa Monica, Subaru and Subaru Santa Monica are a perfect match and represent the outdoor brand well. We are really looking forward to a successful season. We also look forward to all the good work the team does in the community, volunteering and working with youth to further the sport.”
Andrew Denton, CEO of Alfa, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Subaru Santa Monica Racing Powered by Alfa. The team prides itself on discipline, diligence and execution, and their commitment to working in the community is similar to our own.”
Helen’s Cycles continues to be an integral partner of the team providing excellent service and support for the squad. “Helen’s Cycles is proud to support this team of elite cyclists. These men are talented and respected ambassadors in the sport of cycling, but more importantly, they are great ambassadors for our local community,” said Jay Wolff, owner of Helen’s Cycles. “We look forward to our partnership with Subaru Santa Monica Racing powered by Alfa in supporting this cycling team.”
Subaru Santa Monica Racing powered by Alfa will consist of nineteen racers who will compete in stage races, road races and criteriums in Southern California and Nationwide.
Along with racing a full season schedule, Subaru Santa Monica Racing powered by Alfa will have a significant presence on the traditional Westside group rides. The team will also be organizing group rides in conjunction with Subaru Santa Monica.
The team was founded in 2014 by Tony Manzella and Matt Wikstrom. Manzella said, “Matt and I had a vision four years ago on what we wanted this team to be, and committed to making this a reality. It’s pretty rare for an amateur team to not only stay together for this long but grow each year, making a significant impact within the community. It’s been a cool ride.” Along with racing, Wikstrom is the head coach of the UCLA Cycling Team as well as coaching the La Grange Cycling Club junior racers. “For Tony and me, we want guys on our team that are better guys off the bike than on,” said Wikstrom. “Being fast on your bike and achieving results in races is one thing, but being a great ambassador within the community to further this sport we both love is the most important thing to us. We couldn’t be happier about the guys that we have on the team this year. They are exactly the type of people who will do just that, race their bikes to the utmost of their ability and be fantastic advocates for the sport.”
The team’s official nutritional sponsor will be MODe Sports Nutrition from Costa Mesa, CA. “Besides attitude, training, and equipment, nutrition plays a crucial role in performance. High-end, natural sports nutrition is something that we can support the team with and help each rider to unlock their full potential. As a SoCal brand, we are excited to partner with a local team that has their level of commitment, success and ambition,” says Tammo Walter, CEO and Co-Founder of MODe.
Trek continues to be the bike sponsor of the team, with the riders riding the Trek Madone, Trek Émonda and Trek Speed Concept. The team will also use Bontrager’s complete product line, including wheels, tires and helmets.
This year’s kit was designed by Alex Kohnke of Shiffman & Kohnke and will be produced again by Endo Customs.
Joining Subaru Santa Monica, Alfa, Helen’s Cycles, Trek, Bontrager, MODe, and Endo Customs as team sponsors are Realty Advisors and Asset Managers, Inc., Ashland Hill, Industry Partners, Michael Maltzan Architecture, Mary Matteson Bryan Energy Engineering, Seth Davidson Law, ROKA, Birdworx and Base Cartel and Eat. Sleep. Fit.
The team also continues its four-year relationship with Inner City Arts, whose mission is to engage young people in the creative process in order to shape a society of creative, confident and collaborative individuals.
Seth Davidson, bike advocate, bike racer, bike lawyer, bike racing/team sponsor, creator of the South Bay Cycling Awards, producer of the Cycling in the South Bay Network, and self-described “Wanker” was kind enough to once again write the bios for the team for the 2018 season, which can be found by going to: subarusantamonicaracing.com/roster.
