March 30, 2005 – The Navigators Insurance Cycling Team announced its event roster for the third edition of the Dodge Tour of Georgia, April 19-24, 2005.

Columbian climbing specialist, and winner of last year’s Brasstown Bald stage, Cesar Grajales, will spearhead the team’s mountain assault for the 2005 tour. Grajales will be joined by current and 6 time Australian National Time Trial Champion Nathan O’Neill whose expertise against the clock should make him an ideal General Classification threat. O’Neill’s GC and chrono riding will be augmented by 2003 US National Time Trial Champion Chris Baldwin and 2004 Irish National Road and former National Time Trial Champ, David O’Loughlin, who both represent a threat in the Individual Time Trial as well as the mountains and overall classifications. The Russian Rocket, Vassili Davidenko, a former Russian National Road Champion will represent the team’s speed weapon for the finishing sprints, while Phil Zajicek and Jeff Louder will bring their strong all around abilities to the team’s attack. Former Canadian National Champion Mark Walters will round out the 8-man squad. Walters is coming of a strong 5th place finish in the Belgian semi classic, Nokere-Koerse, and is showing signs of the form that enabled him to win the US Pro Championships in Philadelphia in 2002.

The Tour de Georgia will be the Navigators Insurance squad’s first team event in the USA in 2005, after spending most of the early season in Western Europe. “This is the first significant event on the domestic race calendar in the U.S.”, said team Director Sportif, Ed Beamon, “and it is a very important event for us. I think we are sending a very strong and capable team, and we will be looking for results. The team has been racing since January, and should have very good condition, and we are looking forward to representing Navigators Insurance, Colnago bicycles, and all of our sponsors on home soil.”