April 29, 2006 – Louis Garneau Sports is proud to introduce Garneau Optik. This cycling team has six talented racers from Quebec and New Brunswick. This new senior team was created to encourage young cyclists who want to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games and become pros.

David Veilleux is among these cyclists. David, an athlete from Quebec, has been sponsored by Louis Garneau since the beginning of his cycling career. He won the Tour de l’Abitibi in 2005 while racing with the Élicycle Sports-Experts Louis-Garneau Team. For his first year as a senior, David will be in good company with the other members of the Garneau Optik Team.

The Garneau Optik Team could not have been established without the active support of Alexandre Lavallée who manages the team, as well as being its captain. Together with Alexandre and David, Phil Cortes, Jamie Lamb, Mathieu Roy and Jean-Michel Lachance will contribute to the team’s chances of winning in the great races like the Canadian Championships, the Tour de Beauce and the Classique Louis-Garneau Montreal-Quebec.

The name of Garneau Optik was chosen to promote the new Louis Garneau sunglasses collection. With more than 20 models designed for sports and urban activities, this collection is sold in IBD boutiques (Independent Bicycle Dealer). “As much as the head needs protection from impacts, the eyes also have to be protected from UV rays and high-speed impacts such as pebbles, etc. That’s why I decided to develop “wrap-around” sunglasses that serve this purpose very well”, explains Louis Garneau.

Very important to mention the essential contributions of the team’s sponsors : Ogilvy Renault, Chatel Automobiles/Mercedes-Benz, Info 800, Aquafina, Shimano, Edge, FSA, Vittoria and Soprema. This great project aimed at supporting the future of cycling in Canada could not have come to fruition without their outstanding help.

The Garneau Optik Team has a full schedule, and two of its members have already won medals, the first and third places at the first provincial race of 2006: the Classique Chlorophylle.

www.louisgarneausports.com