January 5, 2007 (Ottawa, ON) – The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA), in collaboration with Team R.A.C.E. (Race Against Cancer Everywhere) and Symmetrics Pro Cycling are pleased to announce that both professional teams have received a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) track sanction starting January 2007. They are the first two Canadian teams to officially be granted this label.

"We are very excited to have Julia Bradley, a former Canadian National Champion in the Women’s Points Race and multiple national medalist in Women’s Pursuit, Keirin and Scratch Race, representing our new track team," said Team R.A.C.E. Communications Director Fredrik Carlberg. "We are delighted to support a track team at the international level as a means of increasing the profile and credibility of Team R.A.C.E. and its important charitable endeavours.” “The Team R.A.C.E. charity movement represents an amazing cause, and I’m very proud to have the opportunity to bring my team to the International Track Cycling circuit in 2007,” said Bradley from her home in Toronto.

Julie Bradley © Team R.A.C.E

		“Symmetrics Pro Cycling is very excited to extend its program beyond road into the track cycling world. The primary goal of our track program is in the pursuit of Olympic selection. We have a number of strong riders on the road and it only made sense to extend our program and offer our riders more opportunity to chase the Olympic dream,” commented Kevin Cunningham, Symmetrics Pro Cycling Team Director. “Our first step is to begin working toward the Pan Am Championships in May 2007 to establish a benchmark in our performance.”
Part of the Symmetrics track squad © Canadian Cycling Association (Cam Evans, Christian Meier, Svein Tuft, Zach Bell)

The Symmetrics Pro Cycling Track Squad includes the following riders in the women’s field: Mandy Poitras, Anne-Brit Ericksen and Noe Cooper. In the men’s field: Svein Tuft, Zach Bell, Christian Meier, Cam Evans, Marsh Cooper, Andrew Pinfold and Jeff Sherstobitoff.

This new status will allow both Symmetrics Pro Cycling and Team R.A.C.E. members to join the UCI World Cup circuit for the remaining 2006-2007 season. Riders will make their debut in Los Angeles January 19-21, followed by the Manchester, England UCI World Cup on February 23-25.

The development of UCI track trade teams is a major new asset for Canada, as riders will now enjoy a new structure, other than the National Team, to fully develop their potential and pursue their professional aspirations in cycling. The growth of professional Canadian track teams will also leverage the need for Canada to get an indoor 250m velodrome, an essential facility to perform at the highest level.

For more information, contact:

Team R.A.C.E.
Scott Graham, Media Relations Director
Office: (905) 823-1198 x 222
Fax: (510) 832-1618
media@teamrace.com
www.teamrace.com

Symmetrics Cycling
Mark Cunningham
Tel: 604.891.5565
Fax: 604.681.8514
MarkC@symmetrics.net
www.symmetrics.net

Canadian Cycling Association
Florence Bourg, Communications Manager
Tel: +1-418-824-9207
Cell: +1-418-558-4559
florence.bourg@canadian-cycling.com
www.canadian-cycling.com