UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Steps It Up for 2011
What's changed for the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team for 2011? Plenty. The team is now competing as a Pro Continental squad, which means it will race internationally, start training and competing earlier and take part in longer, more difficult races. The team also has jerseys that reflect UnitedHealthcare's new brand.
What hasn't changed for the team in 2011? It still supports the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF). This means the team will donate a portion of the proceeds from apparel, bike and equipment sales to the foundation. In addition, racers will make appearances throughout the year at UHCCF events, interacting with our customers, employees and the public while creating more awareness of the foundation.
With respect to the team's new Pro Continental status, Momentum Sports Group, LLC (owner and operator of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team) President, Thierry Attias, said, "We have high objectives for our organization and we are putting all the elements in place that will give us the best chance to remain a consistent force in the sport. We have an outstanding group of riders, staff, management and sponsors, and we are excited about what this group will do this year."
As for its support of UHCCF, Attias adds: "Riding to benefit UHCCF is an obvious match for us. We strive to demonstrate a healthy lifestyle and nothing's better than knowing that the funds we raise help kids who need medical treatment. Together, the team and UHCCF give hope to children and families all over the country."
The season kicked off in January with two international races in San Luis, Argentina, and in Langkawi, Malaysia. The team did exceptionally well in both, taking a total of 5 podium places and winning stage 8 in the Tour of Langkawi.
Straight from Langkawi, the team headed back to the US for training camp starting February 4 in Thousand Oaks, California. A highlight of training camp was a special visit from a UHCCF grant recipient named Oscar. Three-year-old Oscar lives in Whittier, California, and has a rare blood disease. He attended training camp with his brother and parents and spent time with the riders as honorary teammates. Oscar and his family shared their story on stage and expressed their appreciation for the grant that enabled him to receive the right treatment from the right doctors.
After training camp, the team will compete in Europe in a variety of races. Among their domestic races this year are the Tour of California, the Philadelphia International, the Tour of Utah and the Tour of Colorado.
Look for more updates to come on this exciting race season!