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Team Airgas-Safeway Signs Chris Horner and Canada’s Emmanuel Gagne for 2015 + Knight Composites on Board

by pedalmag.com

January 27, 2015 – Canada’s Emmanuel Gagne is on the 2015 roster of the UCI-registered California-based Airgas-Safeway Cycling Team led by Chris Horner, winner of the 2013 Vuleta a Espana. “I am very excited to be joining Airgas-Safeway for 2015,” said Horner.

“I have achieved a huge amount of success in my career and I’m incredibly proud of that. For me, the next chapter isn’t just about what I can do as an individual, but what I can give back to cycling as a sport. I had a number of options for this year and what really struck me about Airgas-Safeway was their utter commitment to giving the next generation of young riders the opportunity for success.”

Horner wins the 2013 Vuleta a Espana - the biggest win of this career  ©  Cor Vos

The program is focused on developing young riders, which Horner is looking forward to: “Racing with excited young athletes fits well with my love of the sport, and it will be a great partnership to build for the future. I look forward to sharing my racing and tactical experience to help the team race for the win at Tour of California, Tour of Utah, and many other races throughout the season.”

Airgas, one of the nation’s leading suppliers of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, has sponsored the team since its inception in 2013 and is excited about the continued growth of the program.

“It has been thrilling to see how its riders have developed and excelled throughout the last two years,” said Airgas President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Molinini. “We are excited to partner with co-sponsor Safeway to continue to support these young athletes and look forward to next season with champion cyclist Chris Horner.”time at home with my family, including the new baby we have on the way in January,” Horner concluded. “I can’t wait to race with a group of excited young pros — their enthusiasm will make the season fun and exciting.”

Marc-Antoine Soucy (QC) is leading with Emmanuel Gagne in third at the 2013 Canadian Criterium Championships  ©  Ivan Rupes

The squad recently announced a new partnership with Bend, Oregon based Knight Composites. Team Director, Bart Bowen, was enthused about the partnership and working with Knight CEO Beverly Lucas. “Having the team partner with Knight is great! Not only do they make the fastest wheels in the world, but they’re a local Bend company and are really committed to helping the team,” said Bowen. “I tested the wheels with Aivee and CeramicSpeed for the first time in August and was instantly impressed. Having the support from these awesome global innovators is a big asset and we’re really excited about the partnership.” Read the full release here.

The Airgas-Safeway Cycling Team consists of 16 riders from the United States, Canada and Mexico and will start the season in January with a training camp in California.

Team Airgas-Safeway’s 2015 team presentation takes place at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts on February 12, and the squad’s first race of the season will be the NRC Redlands Bicycle Classic on April 2-6.

Find out more about the squad at d3devo.com

2015 Roster

  • Chris Horner (USA)
  • Luis Lemus (MEX)
  • Griffin Easter (USA)
  • Matthew Rodrigues (USA)
  • Connor McCutcheon (USA)
  • Alex Darville (USA)
  • Kevin Gottlieb (USA)
  • Tim Aiken (USA)
  • Justin Mauch (USA)
  • Cullen Easter (USA)
  • Matt Lyons (USA)
  • Gera Medina (MEX)
  • Austin Vincent (USA)
  • Emmanuel Gagne (CAN)
  • Chris Meacham (USA)




2 Comments For This Post

  1. A.Gagnon, Québec, Canada says:

    The guy on the picture isn’t Emmanuel, it’s Marc-Antoine Soucy. If you look at the full picture by Ivan Rupes (http://www.ivanrupes.com/media/353d9ab4-fc8f-11e2-a575-b9a8f94cb265-2013-canadian-road-championships-junior-criterium-challenge?hit_num=25&hits=62&page=2&per_page=24&search=%22Marc-Antoine%22+Soucy), Manu is the third guy, with the black and red jersey. (Team Espoirs Quillicot). Manu rode the national champ with team Québec in 2013, but not in 2012.

  2. Editor, , says:

    Thanks for your help – we have made the adjustments accordingly. All the best.

    Cheers,
    Benjamin

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