Team Exergy enters 2011 as one of the new names on the list of ten US Continental teams. Although Exergy, a wind energy development company, signed on as title sponsor in 2010, the team management decided to bide its time before making the jump up to the professional level. The team's management company is called Escalara, in Spanish it means escalator. That's what director Tad Hamilton sees for the program, a steady stair-step approach to the team's growth rather than jumping in over their heads and not being able to properly run the team. 

With pro license in hand, the management went to work trying to find the right riders for the program. Sponsor liason and long-time pro cyclist Remi McManus said, "We received literally hundreds of resumes from riders looking for a spot on the roster. We were looking for riders with more than just results, we wanted guys that have more to offer than just the sporting aspect. We wanted riders that are involved in the community and helping build fan support for cycling. With only 11 spots on the roster it took a really special rider to make the team". Having riders that represent their sponsors and the sport well is paramount to Team Exergy. Last year, the team donated 400 helmets to a helmet advocacy group that passed them out to underprivileged children.  

The guys were gracious enough to let me ride with them for the day at their Ventura, CA training camp. I've become used to the typical pro-team media rides that are between an hour or two of easy riding. This wasn't the case with the Exergy Team. They treated me to a full-blown training day. It ended up being the best way to get a feel for the team, and get a sense of the rider's excitement for the new opportunities and bright future of the program. There were some new faces that I didn't recognize, and a couple that I'd been racing against for years. After a nice 30-mile warm-up down Pacific Coast Highway we headed inland and up one of the many canyon climbs in the area. It didn't take long for me to get a full dose of the talent on the team. As the guys started turning the screws to each other I hung on for dear life until it dawned on me that I don't even have a current USCF racing license anymore; I'm just a magazine guy now. I decided to let go of my quickly crumbling ego and watched them ride away.

Team Exergy is off to a good start in terms of equipment sponsors. Their sub-800 gram Felt F1 road frames are built with a mix of components from FSA, TRP, Williams Wheels, Kenda Tires and Prologo saddles. The most interesting component on the team bike is the Micro Shift shifters and derailleurs. The relatively unknown Asian component maker delivered the team custom colored derailleurs and shifters in their first foray into the U.S. pro scene. Castelli clothing, KASK helmets, and Bont shoes round out Team Exergy's sharp looking get-up. 

Team Exergy is the only professional team using Micro Shift components. The custom derailleur colors really stand out on the F1's carbon frame. Power Cordz provide brake and derailleur cables to the team. The Cordz weigh a fraction of what a typical stainless steel cable weighs and lasts longer.

The Micro Shift 10-speed shifter has a double lever design. The large lever handles the up-shift, while a small lever above it does the down-shift. 

FSA K-Force Light cranks with a ceramic bearing bottom bracket. Speedplay pedals and a Micro Shift front derailleur complete the drivetrain.

TRP brake calipers help keep the bike right at the UCI weight limit. 

A beautifully CNC-machined Thomson stem holds a pair of FSA Energy alloy handlebars. FSA will be providing custom etched headset top-caps with the team's name and colors.

Although the F1 was equipped for a BB30 the team opted for external threaded cups. The frame features "Inside Out" technology for 2011, which optimizes the carbon mold and shaves 100 grams off the weight of last year's frame. 

Team Exergy has access to more wheel options than most other teams can even dream of. Williams Wheels has outfitted the team with wheel depths for every type of race. Kenda Volare tubular tires are mounted to the 85mm deep monsters. Kenda provides the team with both clincher and tubular tires. 

No excuses. Felt's B2 Pro frame leaves little in the way for performance excuses. Felt Bayonet forks, Devox aerobars and Williams disc rear and 85mm front wheels give Team Exergy a time trial bike capable of competing with anything else out there. 

FSA's Vision Tri Max Carbon aero crank gives the rider every possible advantage against the clock. A K-Edge Chain Catcher mounts to the front derailleur and ensures that the chain can't fall off the inner-ring during a bad shift. 

The internally routed brake cable pops out of the frame just above where the rear caliper is tucked away, out of the wind.  

Felt's own Devox aerobar compliments the aerodynamics of the B2 Pro frame and the Bayonet 2 fork. The highly adjustable aerobar will make it easy for each rider to perfect their hand and elbow position.

A Prologo Nago Evo TTR saddle has a padded nose and grippers to keep you from sliding forward when already on the very nose during a time trial.

Matt Cooke gets ready to put the hurt on me during the team ride. I guess I should have used more of the Hammer Nutrition drink mix that all the riders were using in their bottles. 

No, the camera isn't slimming. Chris Hong weighs-in at mere 108 pounds! That makes him the lightest rider in the US peloton and possibly even the International peloton. As you can imagine, Chris goes uphill effortlessly and should surprise a few top riders at Tour of the Gila in April. 

Team Exergy's brand-new Mini Countryman keeps them looking good in the caravan. 

Look for full training camp coverage in an upcoming Road Bike Action Magazine.