February 14, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – Bateman’s Bicycle Company 2018 Race Team p/b Cloud 9 Audio Visual announced. What began as a solo effort for Founder Robert Bateman has grown into a team that will collectively ride over one million kilometers during training and racing this year. Going from one rider in 2012 to 75 this year reveals the soaring popularity of this Toronto Annex-based team.

Bateman’s Bicycle Company President Robert Bateman said “We’re extremely pleased by interest in our team. We’ve tried to create a supportive relaxed atmosphere where competitive cyclists can reach for their dreams. Clearly we’ve built something that resonates with both the racing community and sponsors”.

The team has not only grown in size but the number of top finishes earned is impressive for such a relatively new team. Last year members of Bateman’s Racing team stepped onto 80 podiums in over 100 races across a number of cycling disciplines.

The 2018 team will have 25 new racers joining 50 returning. 2017 returnees include Nicola Kidd (2017 Billy Haw Recipient – teams highest award), veteran Ryan Rutherford (former Ontario Cyclocross Provincial Champion) and Gus De Groote (Winner of the 2017 Ontario Cycling Association’s Most Sportsmanlike Junior Cyclist).

Team veteran, Pauline Beaupre said, “Beyond the fast bikes we ride and the great gear we wear, one of the real benefits is the support of the Bateman’s mechanics. Their ability to provide ongoing tech support keeps us riding”.

The team will race on mountain, road and cyclocross bikes and compete in everything from weekly local races to Ontario Cycling Association race series and championships. It is also expected that some members will race Nationally and at International races scheduled for Ontario in 2018. The team ranges in age from eight to 60+ with 40 women and 35 men.

Cloud 9 Audio Visual (@C9AV) is the presenting sponsor for the 2nd year. Cloud 9 AV President and team member Jeff Gosselin said “I’m delighted to partner with Bateman’s Race Team again this year. It’s a great partnership to support aspiring athletes and a local Toronto business.” Based in Midtown Toronto, Cloud 9 AV helps homeowners and businesses design, install and maintain their systems throughout southern Ontario.

The team is additionally sponsored by; Mix My Film, Treetop Trekking, Kula Yoga Studio, Steam Whistle,Tall Boys Pub, MJMA, Ryders, Contra Cafe, Caesar Ramirez Royal Lepage, POC gear.

About Bateman’s Bicycle Company
Bateman’s Bicycle Company is an independent bike shop established in 2008. Now a fixture in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood the business grew from selling city bikes to a full service bike store with three locations. Bateman’s has a number of events that have become neighbour favorites such as its bi-annual “Bike Swap”, where customers sell their used bikes. Bateman’s also has an indoor spinning facility (Spin Shack) where many of its athletes and others train. The Shack Pack Cycling Club was formed in 2016 as a recreational club with weekly mountain bike, cyclocross and road rides for those who want to go on group rides but not race.