Trakkers Announces 2010 Professional And Amateur Teams
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As the trend of professional teams in triathlon continues to grow, Trakkers has announced the members of its first-ever elite and age group triathlon team for the 2010 season. The 2010 Team Trakkers professional roster includes Richie Cunningham, Dede Griesbsauer, Mary Beth Ellis, Amanda Lovato, Michael Lovato, Brian Fleischmann, Jacqui Gordon and Carole Sharpless. The team is unique because it also includes 36 age-group athletes from across the country.
See the complete press release below:
Trakkers, the world’s first real-time GPS racing device, announces the inception of its Elite and Age Group Triathlon Team for the 2010 season.
“It is with great pleasure that I present the brand new Trakkers Triathlon Team,” says Trakkers head honcho, Charlie Patten. “In order to enhance the way family and friends track their athletes on race day, we created the Trakkers GPS devices. And in order to better promote the product we have created, we are now establishing a top-notch team of individuals racing in the Trakkers colors.”
To coincide with the highly anticipated spring release of the Trakkers athlete-tracking device, a group of world-class professionals has been assembled. The 2010 pro roster is as follows:
Richie Cunningham: 2x 70.3 Champion; 3x Top-Five at 70.3 World Championships
Dede Griesbsauer: 2x Ironman Champion; 3x Top-Ten Ironman World Champs
Mary Beth Ellis: 2009 Escape from Alcatraz Champion; 2x 2nd place at 70.3 World Champs
Amanda Lovato: 2010 Pucón 70.3 Champion; Multiple Half Ironman Champion
Michael Lovato: 2x Ironman Champion; 3x Top-Ten Kona; 3x National Champion
Brian Fleischmann: 1st World Team Champs; 2x 2nd place at USAT National Champs
Jacqui Gordon: Multiple Ironman and 70.3 Top-Ten finisher
Carole Sharpless: 2006 IM Florida 2nd place; 2007, broken back; 2010, comeback year.
To complement the Elite Team, a squad of 36 Age Group athletes is also on board for 2010. Headlining the amateurs is Kathleen Calkins, the top AG athlete at the 2009 Hawaii Ironman World Championships. Additionally, the Trakkers Team is broadly represented in the tri ranks, from the pointy end of the races proudly to the back of the pack.
Partnering with this unique and cutting edge Team, are three triathlon industry powerhouses: Saucony, shoes and apparel, First Endurance nutrition, and Kestrel bicycles.
Robert Kunz from First Endurance stated: “This is a perfect partnership for us, not only because of the high caliber of athletes, but also because of the management and philosophy of the team.”
Carrie Bartlett of Saucony added: “This partnership allows Saucony the opportunity to connect with more triathletes and build the Saucony brand within the sport. We are excited to be the official footwear and apparel of the team in 2010.”
Steven Harad of Kestrel commented, “I look forward to a successful season; to have the entire team riding Kestrels and providing feedback will help us continue to grow.”
Team member Michael Lovato added, “I’m so proud to be a part of this innovative team. What really makes the Trakkers Team unique is that our partners are three of the strongest players within our industry. For decades Saucony has been a loyal sponsor of triathlon, and over the years they have remained committed to creating the best running shoes around. Kestrel has such a rich history within our sport as well: it introduced triathletes to carbon fiber bikes, and it is returning to the forefront of the bicycle world with its cutting edge developments. And in First Endurance, we have aligned with a company who cares first and foremost about creating clean, safe and effective nutritional products that work for elites as well as beginners. While each sponsor is very powerful independently, under the banner of a bold company like Trakkers, our team has the ability to truly set trends and change the way we participate in and view our sport.”
The 2010 season started out with a victory for the Trakkers Team, with Amanda Lovato’s win at Ironman 70.3 Pucón on January 24th. The Elite Team continues its racing next at the Miami International Triathlon on March 14th, where Richie Cunningham, Mary Beth Ellis, and Brian Fleischmann will be competing.
Keep up with the progress of the pro squad by tuning into Twitter.com/TrakkersElite, and checking Trakkersgps.com for regular BLOG updates.