HTC-High Road to Ride Specialized Bikes in 2011, Beyond

PRESS RELEASE: Specialized Bicycle Components and High Road Sports have joined forces to create a powerful partnership aimed at building a global cycling franchise based on the world’s most successful men’s and women’s cycling teams.  Team HTC-High Road, operated by High Road Sports, announces a multi-year partnership beginning in 2011 to continue its unequaled success using the market leading, technically advanced products of Specialized Bicycle Components.

“We are thrilled by this foundational partnership with the iconic global cycling brand of Specialized,” said High Road’s founder, Bob Stapleton.  “Mike Sinyard is an authentic entrepreneur and his company is a dominant force in both professional racing and bringing innovation to millions of recreational cyclists worldwide.  Our partnership is focused not only on athletic success but also on developing superior products and promoting cycling as a part of a healthy lifestyle for the more than 160 million enthusiasts in Europe and the USA alone.”

“We come together with aggressive plans and motivated partners who are excited about the compelling sport of cycling.  We want to further build on this platform and recruit leading technology and lifestyle companies to work alongside our existing partners, which include HTC, Shimano, Oakley, as well as our marketing partners, Google and Skype.  Together, we are focused on adding  a long-term, innovative co-title partner with naming rights in advance of the major races this summer, including the Tour de France,” added Stapleton.

Mike Sinyard is equally enthusiastic about the partnership. “I’ve always respected Bob (Stapleton) and the teams he has built. Our organizations have a lot in common: Their team headquarters is just down the road from ours, both crews focus on riders’ needs first, and we’ve both achieved great results that are fueled by the love of cycling. High Road will drive us hard to continually improve our bikes and helmets, and we’ll deliver the best materials in the world to help them win races.”

Specialized will supply the team‘s frames, forks, and helmets. The men’s squad will race the S-Works Tarmac for most road races, the S-Works Roubaix for cobbled classics, and the Shiv TT in time trials. The all-new S-Works Prevail and TT3 helmets will protect the riders in road and TT applications, respectively.

“We are especially excited about the HTC-Highroad women’s team, which is every bit as strong and successful as the men’s squad,” continued Sinyard.  “Through close work with these top-tier riders, we can continue to grow and improve the performance and fit of our women’s bikes and equipment.”

The 11-strong women’s squad will race on Amira road bikes, built specifically for high-performance riders and racers, and Shiv TT bikes for the time trials. They will also wear Prevail and TT3 helmets.
About Specialized:
Specialized Bicycles was founded in 1974 by riders for riders. Headquartered in Morgan Hill, California, with global distribution, the company focuses on making everyone’s time on a bike better by delivering functional and technically advanced equipment that provide true performance benefits.

About High Road Sports:
High Road Sports, Inc., based in San Luis Obispo, California, operates elite-level professional men’s and women’s cycling teams that have won more victories than any other teams in 2008, 2009 and 2010. High Road’s athletes include 36 men and women, and staff members from 20 different nations making it the most international team in the sport.

High Road is founded on the principles of clean and fair sport, and focuses on developing young athletes under veteran leadership and an experienced management team.  The team is a leader in best methods and practices, technology development, and self-improvement. To learn more about Team HTC-Highroad please visit www.highroadsports.com.