BISSELL Kicks Off the Season in Merced, CA
January 30, 2012
The BISSELL Pro Cycling Team will face off at the Merco Cycing Classic for its opening race of the season on March 1-5. In the past, the race has been a perfect opportunity for the team to fine tune their equipment and team tactics. The race comes on the heels of the opening team camp scheduled the end of February in Santa Rosa, CA. The team looks to repeat last year's results where they dominated racing with a total of 10 podiums over the four days and Ben Jacques-Maynes took the overall.
BISSELL Makes Plans for 2012 Season
Read about the BISSELL Pro Cycling Team and plans for the 2012 Season on Cyclingnews.com
BPCT 2012 Kit
BISSELL Welcomes Campagnolo as a Sponsor
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., November 30, 2011 – The top ranked continental team, BISSELL Pro Cycling, reaches a new level in 2012 by teaming up with the premier cycling components manufacturer, Campagnolo. BISSELL will be racing with the Campagnolo Record 11 speed groupset and will also have the opportunity to experience their new EPS shifting group throughout the season.
“Everyone at Campagnolo is very excited to be partnering with the BISSELL Pro Cycling Team for the coming years,” said Tom Kattus, general manager, Campagnolo North America. “Campagnolo is steeped in racing tradition and working with the No. 1 ranked team in the NRC is consistent with our commitment to supporting bicycle racing on a global basis. We look forward to working with Glen Mitchell (BPC Team Manager) and the team here in North America as they defend their No.1 ranking and reach for new heights.”
The exceptional components will be paired with the equally outstanding race bike, the Pinarello Dogma 2. The newly re-designed Dogma 2 will be stiffer, lighter and more aerodynamic. The Team is proud to race and train on Easton cycling wheels. Known as the composite experts, Easton's broad range of wheels offer industry-leading aerodynamics, durability and speed. The Easton wheels will again be fitted with Vredestein’s Tricomp racing tubulars for their low rolling resistance and maximum grip.
BISSELL also welcomes SRM to its family of sponsors and looks forward to the use of SRM’s new Campagnolo-based power meter. Amy Creed of SRM said, “SRM is excited to debut its newest offering, the SRM Campagnolo PowerMeter to the North American professional racing scene through BISSELL Pro Cycling Team in 2012.” Capping off the team’s top equipment will be Speedplay’s Zero pedal systems and Fizik’s high performance saddles.
Giordana will continue to style and manufacture BISSELL’s cycling apparel and accessories, while Merrell will again fill the team’s after-sport apparel needs. Bell Sports will provide the team with the top-of-the-line performance helmets, exclusively--the Bell Volt for road racing and the Bell Javelin for time trials. The team will be suited with DMT shoes on a Speedplay approved sole which provides a perfectly flat platform on a compatible 4-bolt pedal system. BISSELL will continue to depend on 1st Endurance for its sports nutrition with its full line of performance and endurance products.
BISSELL mechanics are pleased to welcome the support of two new sponsors, Finish Line and Feedback Sports. Finish Line will provide the team with a full line of bicycle care products including lubes, degreasers, and cleaners. Feedback Sports will supply bicycle work stands and portable storage stands. Stuffitts will also join sponsors as a provider of portable drying systems for helmets, shoes and bags.
The BISSELL Pro Cycling Team continues to have the financial support of companies from the West Michigan business community led by title sponsor BISSELL Homecare, Inc. BISSELL continues its long established history in the sport of cycling which began in 2003 with the sponsorship of the US Postal Team. BISSELL’s innovative and high-performance brand partners with the sport to demonstrate the company’s commitment to health and wellness both inside and outside the home.
The team continues to have the support of Advantage Benefits Group. ABG CEO, Bob Hughes, has been one of the foremost supporters of cycling in the Midwest. Hughes’ involvement began in the early 2000s with the ABG-Endeavor Team and his dedication to up-and-coming cyclists continues today with a new development team, BISSELL-ABG-NUVO.
Returning as a sponsor for 2012 after two years out of the sport is Emerald Spas, a leader in the home spa industry. Additionally, the BISSELL Pro Cycling Team is honored to have the continuing support of EmploymentGroup. The Michigan- based company partners with local and global Fortune 500 companies to provide staffing solutions and business services.
“EmploymentGroup became involved with the team when BISSELL took over the title sponsorship to partner with great companies like BISSELL and Advantage Benefits to promote the great sport of cycling”, says Mark Lancaster, CEO, EmploymentGroup. “It fits with our company vision of ‘Delivering Success’ and the team certainly did that by winning the NRC team title in 2011.”
2012 Team Sponsors:
BISSELL Homecare Inc
Advantage Benefits Group
EmploymentGroup
Emerald Spa
Frame, Pinarello Dogma 2
Time Trial Frame, Pinarello Graal
Components, Campagnolo Record 11spd
Wheels, Easton EC90, SLX, SL, Aero, TT90
Power Meter, SRM
Saddles, Fi’zi:k
Pedals, Speedplay Zero
Bars/Stem, MOst
Tires, Vredestein
Clothing, Giordana
Shoes, DMT
Helmets, BELL
Trainers, Blackburn
Pump & Accessories, BlackBurn
Nutrition, First Endurance
Cleaning/Lubricants, Finishline
Stands/Racks, Feedback Sports
Drying system, Stuffitts
Vehicle Racks, Yakima
Casual Clothing, Merrell
Foot Fitness Performance Center
K-Edge Cycling Solutions
Speed Merchants
Echelon Cycle & Multisport
For updates on BISSELL Pro Cycling year round, visit www.Bissellprocycling.com.
ABOUT BISSELL
A 135-year-old company, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based BISSELL Homecare Inc. is the top-selling brand in floor care appliances in North America,* with an expanding presence worldwide. As an innovator of cleaning products, BISSELL produces and sells vacuums, sweepers, deep-cleaning machines, bare-floor cleaners and cleaning formulas at retail locations across the globe. The company is in its fourth generation of family leadership.
* Based on NPD sales data
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BISSELL Pro Cycling Announces 2012 Roster
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 13, 2011 – After its best season as the No. 1 team in the NRC, the BISSELL Pro Cycling Team is bringing back its core roster for 2012 and will be adding U23 powerhouses Chris Barton and Carter Jones. The team will continue its fifth season with BISSELL Homecare Inc. as title sponsor. Additionally, Glen Mitchell will return as team manager and Omer Kem as team director.
BISSELL will have strong leadership with the experience of team captains, Chris Baldwin, Frank Pipp, Jeremy Vennell and Ben Jacques-Maynes. USPRO Criterium Champion, Eric Young, will return to BISSELL and will lead the charge of young returning riders including Chase Pinkham, Andrew Dahlheim, Patrick Bevin, and Andy Baker. The team will continue to combine seasoned veterans and developing riders to achieve great results.
Chris Barton is coming to BISSELL after three years with BMC. Barton’s race experience is extensive and includes European races such as the Giro de Italia, as well as top 10 finishes at U.S. races such as Tour of Utah and Cascade Classic. Most recently, he supported Cadel Evans at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Barton’s ability in time trials and climbing will certainly add to the team’s strengths.
As a member of the USA Cycling Development Program, Carter Jones is recognized as one of the most promising cyclists in the country. He comes to BISSELL from one of the top development teams in the world, Trek-Livestrong, and was recently selected to represent the USA in the World Road Championships U23 Time Trial. Jones also placed 4th in the 2011 Elite Nationals Time Trial and exceeds in climbing races such as Cascade Classic where he was consistently a threat to the GC.
Looking Back at the 2011 Season
BISSELL was the only continental team in the U.S. to receive race invites to the three major tours including the Amgen Tour of California, Tour of Utah and USA Pro Cycling Challenge. BISSELL continued to show that they can race against the best in the world with Baldwin finishing as the top domestic rider at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Earlier in the season at the Amgen Tour of California, Jeremy Vennell rode an outstanding time trial to finish 8th for the stage as the fastest domestic rider.
Frank Pipp had a consistently strong year, winning the Joe Martin Stage Race and finishing 5th in the individual NRC rankings. Pipp also had a 5th place finish in the final stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and a very close second place to close out the season at the Univest Grand Prix. Pipp’s final result helped solidify BISSELL’s placement as the best team in the NRC.
Team co-captain, Ben Jacques-Maynes, has had a tough season battling injury. He had an outstanding early season with a 2nd place at Redlands Classic and was a threat in the opening stages of the Amgen Tour of California where he was consistently in breakaways. A crash in stage 5 resulted in a broken collarbone. BJM was plagued from the crash throughout the season with two surgeries and a related bone infection. Ben looks to return to top form in 2012.
BISSELL will again target the NRC and the top UCI races in the US. Director Omer Kem says, “with a smaller and deeper roster, BISSELL will be capable of really jelling as a team in 2012. Captains Pipp, Baldwin, Vennell, and BJM will be capable of leading the team at any kind of race.”
For updates on BISSELL Pro Cycling year round, visit www.Bissellprocycling.com.
ABOUT BISSELL
A 135-year-old company, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based BISSELL Homecare Inc. is the top-selling brand in floor care appliances in North America,* with an expanding presence worldwide. As an innovator of cleaning products, BISSELL produces and sells vacuums, sweepers, deep-cleaning machines, bare-floor cleaners and cleaning formulas at retail locations across the globe. The company is in its fourth generation of family leadership.
* Based on NPD sales data
