May 06, 2012 (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC) – The 2012 Specialized-Mazda-SGC women’s road team was presented at a press conference Friday at Specialized’s Canadian head office. While team has fewer riders than previous years the squad consists of younger riders with bright futures such Alizee Brien, who only turns 19 in September.

Brien distinguished herself with a podium at Battenkill in mid-April and a victory last weekend in Ste-Martine. Allison Beveridge, who turns 19 in June, holds multiple Canadian records and 10 Pan-American Games medals. Nicole Vogler was also on the podium at Washington State’s Tour of Walla Walla in April.

A head table consisting of Randy Ferguson, Marc-Wayne Addison, Michael des Ilets, Gerard Penarroya, and Frederic Perman spoke about how the girls will race across North America and even compete twice in Europe this season, at the Le Tour du Limousin and at the Tour de Bretagne (Tour of Brittany). Team co-manager Michael des Ilets said that the team is aiming for the 2016 Olympics.

Specialized-Mazda-SGC will compete at the GP Cycliste de Gatineau on May 21 where Beveridge will see special competition from her older sister, and former Canadian TT Champ, Julie Beveridge (Vienne Futuroscope). “And I don’t like losing,” the younger Beveridge told Pedal.

Véronique Drapeau-Zgoralski arrived late at the team launch, having had to first write an exam in medicine at l’Université de Montréal where she studies. The girls have only been riding together for a few days and are based in Quebec this summer. Some of them are learning French and Vogler, who is from Victoria, is already speaking it quite well.

Team sponsors include Specialized, Mazda, Samson Groupe Conseil (SGC), Ekoi, Stephtotri, and Thule. Catering at the conference was provided by Penarroya who recently sold his Pen Castel restaurant, but kept the name for a catering service. The team thanked Specialized, represented by Hannah Parish, for the use of company facilities.

Specialized-Mazda-SGC 2012

– Alizée Brien
– Allison Beveridge
– Anne-Marie Morin
– Karlee Gendron
– Nicole Vogler
– Véronique Drapeau-Zgoralski
– Virginie Gauthier
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– Team management:
– Gérard Penarroya
– Michael Des Ilets
– Maxence Fumière
– Frederic Perman
– Marc-Wayne Addison

www.specializedmazdasgc.com/