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Team Aviawest-Vega Poised for Cycling Success in 2006

March 31, 2006 (Victoria, BC) – Seven of BC’s top young riders hit the road this season with the province’s newest road cycling and mountain bike trade team, Team Aviawest-Vega. The riders will strive for success at provincial, national and international events with the generous support of the Aviawest Cycling Club, Vega Nutrition, Schwalbe Tires, Oak Bay Bikes, Rudy Project Eyewear, Hed Wheels and International Cycling Coaches (ICC).

ICC’s Steve Lund, one of Canada’s top cycling coaches, will help team members prepare for the leap to the professional ranks. Lund has extensive experience coaching both developing athletes and champions, such as Olympic Triathlon Gold Medalist Simon Whitfield, 2004 Masters World Mountain Bike Champion Sue Reid and 2004 US Pro Tour Cycling Champion Gina Grain.

“I’m excited about this partnership with Aviawest and Vega,” said Lund. “I’ve always been devoted to helping young and developing racers reach their full potential. Dedicated sponsors that supply equipment, financial and technical support to the top riders will be a huge help to them as they set their sights on the highest level.”

Team Aviawest-Vega will compete primarily in BC, western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, but also in select races across Canada at major events such as the Canada Cup Mountain Bike Series, TransRockies, National Championships and World Championships. Top road riders, Fraser Hayes and Ryan Anderson, started their seasons racing in the Volta Ciclistica do Porto Alegre a UCI 2.2 stage race in the south of Brazil, March 8-12, with Ryan wearing the U-23 leader’s jersey during the opening three stages.
“With Team Aviawest-Vega, our mission is to help some of Canada’s up and coming racers compete at their best,” said Jim Pearson, of Aviawest Resorts. “Many of us at Aviawest have athletic backgrounds, and we are very fortunate to now be in a position to give something back to the sport we love. We are very excited for the coming seasons and look forward to developing the team from our partnership with Mr. Lund”

Brendan Brazier, Professional triathlete and founder of co-title-sponsor Vega Nutrition, is equally excited about the new partnership. “This is a great opportunity for me to help young athletes compete at their best. Vega products are formulated with the best ingredients and no compromises. I’m excited to have a great team with some of Canada’s top young athletes using and endorsing my products.”

Although the team has a competitive focus, Team Aviawest-Vega will continue to be a leader in sport development. Support of new riders, local race organization, grassroots instruction and encouragement of new riders through an enhanced version of Lund’s successful TeenSpeed program will continue under the Team Aviawest-Vega umbrella. Team Aviawest-Vega TeenSpeed offers new racers the best coaching and support to start their cycling careers. The existing Aviawest-Vega Cycling Club will continue to provide veteran racers and enthusiastic recreational racers with a great club and a wider range of support from new sponsors.

Aviawest Resorts, was founded by the Pearson family of Vancouver Island.

Current Aviawest destinations include:
– The Rosewood Victoria Inn, a 17 suite English-style B&B Inn in Victoria, BC.
– Aviawest at the Pacific Rim, a waterfront resort on the west coast of Vancouver.
– Suites at the Rosedale on Robson in downtown Vancouver, BC.
Pacific Shores Resort & Spa, an oceanfront luxury resort & spa in Parksville, BC.
– Aviawest’s latest project, Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa, will be Victoria’s first urban fractional real estate project and is slated for completion Spring of 2007.

Vega Nutrition produces premium meal replacement bars and shakes for those unwilling to compromise between healthy whole food and convenient fast food. Not just for vegetarians, Vega is an ideal choice for anyone looking to add more plant-based whole foods to their diet. Vega is the first and only whole- foods- based, 100% vegetarian meal replacement on the market.

Team Roster (www.team-aviawest-vega.com for bios)
– Ryan Anderson
– Fraser Hayes
– Robin White
– Andrew Greydanus
– Jeff Clarkson
– Emily Sandwith
– JP Dunlop
– Steve Lund, Team Director

Sponsors
– Aviawest Resorts
– Vega Nutrition
– Schwalbe Tires
– Oak Bay Bikes
– Rudy Project
– Victoria Hyundai
– International Cycling Coaches
– Hed Wheels

Contact:
Steve Lund
Team Director
250-883-1949
steve.lund@aviawest.com
www.team-aviawest-vega.com






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