Jelly Belly Candy Company has renewed its commitment to its pro-cycling team through 2015, securing its legacy as the current longest-running title sponsorship in professional cycling in the world. As Jelly Belly Cycling Team gears up for season fifteen, it welcomes new presenting sponsor Maxxis, along with its two returning national champions, and several new sponsors and riders.
The team is also pleased to welcome new clothing sponsor Fast Freddie Apparel who will also be named as licensee for Jelly Belly branded cycling apparel. New equipment sponsors include Bicycle sponsor Argon 18, saddle sponsor ISM, crank sponsor Rotor, and TRP brakes. WD-40 Bike will provide Bike lubes, cleaners, and protectants. Chamois Butt’r returns with chamois creams, embrocations, and skin cleaners. Returning long-time sponsors include Rudy Project helmets and eyewear, Inno Advanced Car Racks, CatEye bicycle electronics, 3T wheel stems, Speedplay pedals, Arundel water bottle cages, Gatorade, Ironclad gloves and Kurt Kinetic trainers.
Key riders set to return from the winning 2013 squad include Fred Rodriguez, the reigning four-time U.S. National Road Cycling Champion who has signed a two year contract, and two-time Mexican National Champion Luis Lemus. Joining them will be Serghei Tvetcov, whose breakout 2013 season included multiple podium appearances at Cascade, Nature Valley, and Tour of Alberta. Nature Valley stage winner Sean Mazich, Nic Hamilton (of the Canadian National Team) and time-trial specialist Ian Burnett return as well.
Team director Danny Van Haute has brought on some new, young talent to support his veterans and round out the squad: former U23 National Road Race Champion Kirk Carlsen signs on after last year’s overall win at the Sea Otter Classic. Jacob Rathe, all-around talent who rode for Jelly Belly as a neo-pro in 2010, returns after three years riding as a domestique for Garmin. Neo pros include time trial specialist Devon Dunn, climber Johnathan Freter, and sprinter Steve Fisher who won the 2013 Tour de Delta.
The ambitious 2014 race program will include numerous NRC events in addition to races in Asia. The team hopes to draw invitations from the major North American races, including the Amgen Tour of California, the U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge and the Tour of Alberta.
“For 2014, Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis presents the complete package. We have a tremendous lineup of riders who are eager to excel as a team and get results, and we are welcoming aboard new sponsors who want to align themselves with a program that will deliver results on and off the bike,” said Van Haute.