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PRE-TOUR TECH AND NEWS: TEAM COLUMBIA HOPES FOR BIG THINGS AT THE 95TH TOUR DE FRANCE
Brad Roe
July 4, 2008
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Team Columbia (formerly High-Road) presented a young team in Brest today for the start of the 2008 Tour de France. Nine riders from eight different countries with five riders age 25 and under. "We plan to be competitive in every stage without losing focus on support for Kirchen in the General Classification, "explains Director Rolf Aldag." Team Columbia is owned by American businessman, Bob Stapleton who was happy to announce the Team's new sponsor, Columbia Sportswear.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Columbia ventured into the world of cycling due to the realization that 65-percent of people who ride bikes are also involved in other outdoor activities (60-percent hike, 40-percent run and 20-percent ski). The new Columbia team kit will feature Omni-Shade a new material designed to block out harmful UV Rays.
The team has already had a banner year with Cavendish alone winning seven major races in 2008 and Sivtsov winning the Tour de Georgia. When asked what he hopes for the team at the 95th Tour de France, Team Director Rolf Aldag said, "If you asked me if I woke up and had a dream it would be to arrive in Paris with a top five finish and two stage wins."
If you look at the depth of Team Columbia with Hincapie and Sivtzov helping Kirchen in the mountains, Cavendish and Ciolek contesting the sprints and time trial specialist Thomas Lovkvist on board, expect to see Team Columbia on the podium more than twice.
Team Columbia-2008 Tour de France team: Kim Kirchen (29), Luxembourg, George Hincapie (34) USA , Thomas Lövkvist(24), Sweden, Kanstantsin Sivtsov (25),Belarussia, Mark Cavendish (23), Great Britian, Gerald Ciolek (21), Germany, Adam Hansen (27), Australia, Marcus Burghardt (24) Germany, and Bernhard Eisel (27) Austria.
(photo: Bettini)
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