November 2, 2006 – The Total Restoration Cycling team is heading into the 2007 cycling season with new found motivation and a dramatically expanded team. Building on the proven success of the 2006 senior men’s squad, it has recently signed 3 junior elite men, 3 senior elite women and added one more local rider to its men’s elite team.

“While the focus of the team has always been to raise the profile of cycling in the Okanagan and creating an opportunity for junior cyclists, it will work towards sending more riders to races out of the province that serve as qualifying events for the Provincial and National Team said Cory Forrest, Co-Director of the Total Restoration Cycling Team. “We have always stated that this team was formed to bridge the gap between cycling in the Okanagan and racing in the lower Mainland.”

“However, we learned very quickly last year that this team has the potential to become one of the premier cycling teams in Western Canada.” “We have generated a lot of interest in the cycling community, both locally and provincially and people want to be part of it.” It’s been fantastic!”

The team and its supporters are getting ready for what will be a very big year. The 2007 calendar looks extremely busy with the racing starting in early March and going through early September. The team will participate in 11 races in the lower mainland, one race on Vancouver Island, one race in Oregon and Washington State while sending a few riders to the National Championships in Quebec.

In addition, they will all compete in the local weekly criterium and time trial series that run from May until August. Forrest says “Most riders will compete in about 50 different races throughout the season, ranging from 16km to 160 km, so you have to be well rounded”

New members to the team include junior cyclists Jesse Van Oene, Owen Harrison and Alex Van Popellen, all hoping to qualify for Tour of L’Abitibi in Quebec, North America’s largest junior cycling race. Spear heading the woman’s squad is local 2006 national triathlon team member Gillian Kornell, and local strong girls Monica Nelson and Jennifer Schultz.

While racing a full road specific schedule is new for most of them, they will have the support and experience of the men’s squad to draw from. The men’s team is similar to last year with Trevor Haaheim, Tim Sherstobitoff, Dan Skinner, Gary Wade, Ryan Smith, Cory Forrest and Sean Williams all returning, and Kelowna local Carlos Capela as the lone new rider for the men’s squad.

The team is pleased to announce that Total Restoration Services is back on board as title sponsor for another year, with a substantial financial contribution that helps the team meet its travel goals.

Other returning sponsors include Kelowna Physiotherapy Associates, Kelowna Toyota, Okaped, Ecotrend Ecologics and Image One MRI all helping the team with financial commitment and background support. New sponsors for 2007 include Okanagan Health and Performance, Kal Tire and Zen Matcha Tea.

The team is in the process of finalizing a bicycle and gear contract for the 2007 season and will announce the details on our website when they are available.

Also new for 2007 is a partnership between the Total Restoration Cycling Team and the Kelowna Food Bank. Co-Director Ryan Smith notes: “It takes a lot of resources from the community to help run our team from season to season and we feel that it’s important to find a way to give something back.

We are excited to be able to support such a valuable community organization in any way possible.” The team will organize several local events during the year as designated food-drive events and will endeavor to provide volunteer support to the Food Bank whenever possible.

To learn more about the team, go to their website: www.totalrestorationcycling.com. Also check back for information about the official team presentation and fundraiser night to be held in February 2007.