Jelly Belly p/b Kenda has been selected to race in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado, Aug. 22-29.
The team joins 15 other squads in the inaugural edition of this race, billed as the most challenging ever on American soil. It will cover more than 800 kilometers through beautiful Colorado scenery at high altitude.
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda will be racing against several Pro Tour teams, including BMC Racing, Garmin-Cervelo and Saxo Bank, all currently competing in the Tour de France.
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda riders are eager to show their abilities against the competition.
“I know our team is motivated and will be ready put on a good race. There are a lot of good teams in the U.S. right now, many that are very qualified to be in the race, so to be selected adds extra motivation to perform well,” said Alex Hagman, who will greet fans in his hometown of Aspen where Stage 2 finishes.
Jelly Belly p/b Kenda is coming off six weeks of great results in the saddle, including a top-10 finish at the U.S. National Championships, first place in the King of the Mountains competition at the TD International Cycling Classic, and first place in Stage 5 and second overall at the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
“We have developed significantly as a team in the last couple months and we are very motivated and excited to showcase that growth on a world stage,” said rider Nic Hamilton.
To prepare the riders to race at elevation — some stages will be at 12,000 feet – team director Danny Van Haute will conduct a short training camp ahead of the race in Golden, Colo.
“We are very excited about the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, for the opportunity to race at this high level,” Van Haute said. ”I know the team will be at its best come August.”
