Navigators Insures for the Future
The Navigators Insurance Cycling Team announced a planned collaborationwith the Belgian based Cycling Center today as part of the team’s effortincrease its investment in the growth and development of American cycling.The Cycling Center, based in Hertsberge Belgium, just 20 km from thepicturesque and cycling famous city of Brugge, will serve as the Europeanbase for the Navigators Insurance Professional Cycling Team as it continuesto expand the European part of its race schedule. In addition, the CyclingCenter based amateur team will serve as a developmental program for America’slongest running professional cycling team.With 15 years of experience, the Cycling Center offers a comfortableand supportive structure for ambitious American amateurs to experienceEuropean racing and culture, while getting competent training, tacticaladvice and coaching. Working in close communication with the NavigatorsInsurance Team’s staff, the team hopes to monitor the progress of the CCElite Team’s athletes, and assist in their development towards the proranks.Navigators team manager Ed Beamon commented; “the Cycling Center relationshipoffers us an opportunity to strengthen our ties with developing Americantalent, and hopefully provide an opportunity to guide a few young riderstoward the professional ranks. We have had several members of the teamwho have come through the Cycling Center system, and now we will have theopportunity to pay closer attention and offer some direction in the developmentof these young guys.” Former Navigators riders Jeff Louder and Brian Sheedywere both Cycling Center “graduates”, and 2007 team member Kristian House,and Team Training Analyst Craig Upton were former CC team members as well.“In addition, we are going to have three riders that we have been workingwith since they were juniors now join the CC program as part of our interestin helping them get to the next level.”Cycling Center’s Bernard Moerman offered “this is an opportunity thatwe have been waiting several years for. We have strong ties to the Belgiancycling community, but our real mission is and has been to work with Americanathletes, and provide a comfortable yet competitive environment for themto grow as cyclists, and hopefully professionals. We offer the structureand the support to allow them to rapidly learn what is required to becomea professional in this very demanding sport. Now, in working with the Navigators,we have an opportunity to see exactly what a top professional team is lookingfor in a developing amateur, and we will be able to feed their staff informationregarding our top guys.”“I think it is an important step for the team” continued Beamon. “Wehave always been very passionate about helping develop and grow the sportin the United States, and this is the next step we feel we need to take.To have the chance to work closely with the young, ambitious guys, andhave access to the data that should help us determine who has the stuffto get to the next level. I think another really important aspect of thisis the Cycling Center’s commitment and passion for ‘Clean Sport’. We wantto be working in an environment where these young guys are learning howto win and be competitive based on their hard work, focus, and determination,and that’s a message they are going to get in this program”The Navigators will add four new Americans to their 18 man professionalroster for 2007. USA Amateur Road Champion Matt Cooke, joins former U-23National team member Michael Wolf, and former Georgetown University CrossCountry running star David Rodriguez as first year professionals. KyleWamsley brings his winning ways from the Colavita team, and Phil Zajicekand Bernard Van Ulden continue their pro careers with the 07 squad. Theteam’s final signing for 2007 is the UK’s Kristian House, a former GreatBritain national team member and member of their World renowned track program.2000 Olympic Champion Marty Nothstein retires from the sport this year,as does the Russian Rocket, Vassili Davidenko. Davidenko will take on arole in management, as he continues to be an integral part of the teamfor 2007, and Nothstein continues to have close ties to the team organization.The 2007 team Roster:Ben Brooks (AUS)Glen Chadwick (NZL)Hilton Clarke (AUS)Matt Cooke (USA)Benjamin Day (AUS)Oleg Grishkin (RUS)Kristian House (GBR)Valeriy Kobzarenko (UKR)Sergey Lagutin (UZB)Darren Lill (RSA)David O’Loughlin (IRL)