Kestrel Bicycles announced their sponsorship of the Rock Racing Professional Cycling Team. “We are thrilled to be partnering with one of the most exciting teams in pro cycling,” said Karen Bliss, Director of Marketing at Advanced Sports, Inc., the parent company for Kestrel. “We have built great relationships with many of Rock Racing’s riders through our other brands’ sponsorships, and I’m happy they will get the opportunity to race on our bikes in 2009.” The team will ride Kestrel’s new RT900, a 950 gram carbon frameset that features a unique aero-shaped monocoque frame design and its proprietary EMS Pro fork. The team will also be supported by Shimano with Dura-Ace components.
Read ‘more’ to see a another pic of the new RT900 bike from Kestrel (minus the Rock Racing colors) and see what Tyler Hamilton thinks of the new whip…
Current U.S. Pro Road Champion Tyler Hamilton, who tested the Kestrel road bike the team will be riding, said, “The road bike handles perfectly – it’s got an incredible strength to weight ratio. I’m really impressed.”
An important component to the sponsorship is Kestrel’s ability to utilize Rock’s team members’ experience and expertise in the development of its new time trial frame. Scheduled for release in mid-summer, the yet-to-be named bike has already tested exceedingly well in the wind tunnel. “Rider input at this stage is paramount to the success of our new TT project,” said Steven Harad, Kestrel Brand Manager. “I look forward to working closely with Rock’s time trial experts to fine-tune our new super bike.” Rock Racing will make its racing debut at the Tour of California, February 14, 2009.
The TOC team roster includes: Victor Hugo Pena Grisales (Col), Enrique Gutierrez (Spa), Francisco Mancebo (Spa), Freddy Rodriguez (USA), Tyler Hamilton (USA), David Vitoria (Swi), Oscar Sevilla (Spa), Aaron Kemps (Aus).
