April 05, 2019 (Toronto, ON) – Bateman’s Bicycle Company 2019 Race Team p/b Cloud 9 Audio Visual announced today! After a fantastic 2018 10th Anniversary season Bateman’s forms it’s largest team of 100+ for 2019. Going from one rider in 2012 to more than 100 this year reveals the soaring popularity of this Toronto Annex-based team.

Company President Robert Bateman said “We love the interest in our team, it’s obvious that we are helping cyclists fulfill their racing dreams. We’ve tried to create a supportive and relaxed atmosphere where competitive cyclists can race hard and have fun doing it. We’ve built something that resonates with the racing community and sponsors”.

New for 2019 will be an increased foray into Enduro racing adding yet another racing format to the team. A significant increase in the Team’s Road racing squad makes it the second largest portion of the team behind the huge Mountain Bike group. It’s likely that 75+ will participate in this year’s Paris to Ancaster Race in late April, seen as a “monument of a race” in the racing community.

The 2019 team will have 32 new racers joining 69 returning. The team ranges in age from nine to 70+ with 20 women and 80 Men. 2019 returnees include Sunneva Bernhardsdottir (2018 Billy Haw Recipient – team’s highest award) and veteran Ryan Rutherford (current Ontario Cyclocross Provincial Series Champion)

Team veteran, Sunneva Bernhardsdottir said, “I’m so glad I joined Bateman’s – they’ve opened a whole new world of racing opportunities and I’ve created a fantastic likeminded circle of friends. I did 10 races last year and couldn’t have without team support, including the mechanics that keep us on the road. We get access to the best new bikes and we ride in gear covered in sponsor logos… how cool is that!”

The team will race on mountain, road, enduro, cyclocross and fat 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 2019.

Cloud 9 Audio Visual (@C9AV) is the presenting sponsor for the 3rd 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, Kula Yoga Studio, Sandbanks Vacations, New Belgium Fat Tire Ale, Miura Cold Brew, MJMA, Ryders, WJ Properties, Contra Cafe, El Pocho, Your Car 4 Cash, Caesar Ramirez Royal Lepage, Joyride 150, POC gear.

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 neighbourhood 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 it’s athletes and others train. Bateman’s Cycling Club (formerly Shack Pack) 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.

For more information contact: Robert Bateman 647-238-8020 or info@batemansbikeco.com