The brightly clad Jazz Apple Cycling Team is continuing to etch a reputation across North America – for world class cycling and world class Jazz apples.
The seven-strong team is half way through its racing tour of the United States and Canada.
In the team’s latest race, the Philadelphia Liberty Classic where throngs numbering over 500,000 line the course, the Jazz Apple Team put together a classic team effort to deliver Ruth Corset the multiple Queen of the Mountain (QOM) title and a finish only one second behind the winner. Lauren Ellis and Dotsie Bausch fulfilled incredible support roles and were on hand for all eight QOM sprints, either leading out or usurping valuable points from Corset’s would be contenders.
The team kicked off its 2009 tour in Arkansas early last month at the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville. Ruth Corsett was crowned third in the final stage of the race, finishing fourth overall.
Corset came even closer to standing on top of the podium at the following Mt Hamilton Classic where she took second, pipped in the mountain top sprint to the finish. The team had three riders in the top 11 delivering a great result.
The team also worked very well again at the Memorial Day Criterium five days later to have Corset cross the line in a hard fought second place again.
Campbell Naish from ENZA, the team’s sponsor, says the squad is now in its fourth year and continues as New Zealand’s only ever sponsored trade team racing a full 2009 international schedule.
“This flagship team has etched a long term and positive impact in women's racing at an international level, particularly in North America. The team is unique in New Zealand cycle sport and we’re proud to have them carry the ENZA name across the States and Canada,” says Naish.
The team includes a combination of established and developing New Zealand riders, led by director and former Olympian Susy Pryde.
It was expanded in 2009 to incorporate international talent and includes returning members Beijing World Cup gold medalist Lauren Ellis (Ashburton) and New Zealand track representative Malindi Maclean (Auckland).
They are joined by Olympian, Rosara Joseph (Christchurch) and international riders; former US National Champion and T-Mobile professional Dotsie Bausch (Los Angeles), Canadian under 23 talent Steph Roorda (Vancouver) and Australian, Ruth Corset (Townsville).
“The Jazz Apple Cycling Team is proving a valuable squad for some of New Zealand’s best emerging cyclists, like Lauren Ellis for example. As the youngest athlete on the team, she now holds three world medals and this medal tally is expected to multiply as she matures her pedalling diet of track and road racing,” says Naish.
In addition to racing and training, the team members are making public appearances to promote the benefits of enjoying Jazz™ apples as part of a healthy diet, in conjunction with ENZA’s North American marketing partner, Oppenheimer.
The team is now preparing for its remaining races in the States, before travelling to Canada for the start of BC Superweek - British Columbia’s premier cycle event starting on 10 July and finishing with the Tour de White Rock in Vancouver on 19 July.
