March 4, 2007 – Pedal was recently invited to a press conference in Drummondville, Quebec (halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, on the South shore of the St. Lawrence River) to witness the launch of the new Team Bluberi/Martin Swiss/Specialized. A well-known Drummondville figure, Gérald Duhamel, is the man behind the team’s creation. His company, Bluberi Technologies, creates devices for video games and casino management systems. He teamed up with Gérard Lefebvre and Marc Lapointe, two local athletes to establish the new team. Lefebvre will act as Sports Director, and Lapointe will serve as Head Coach as well as being one of the 10 riders on the team.

Drummondville cyclist Hugues Lapointe a former Quebec team member, was put in charge of talent scouting, and did a good job. “Our ambitions are modest in our first year,” said Lapointe. “We’d like to become a stepping stone for talented riders, but in our first year we simply want to learn to ride together as a team. Right now, nobody has been identified as the sprinter, or the climber. This will come in time.”

Lapointe hopes the team will become a continental squad in three to four years. “We have a good blend of talent and experience,” Lapointe said and smiling added, “And we will be well coached.”

The Bluberi/Martin Swiss/Specialized team is holding its first training camp in North Carolina (March 2-18). Two junior riders from their farm team, Les Dynaiks de Contrecoeur, will be on hand. Their season opens in mid-April and will include participation at the Canadian National Road Championships in Beauce, and the Tour of Ohio. “The Tour de Beauce is out of the question for the moment,” Lapointe said, “first we have to know where we stand.”

Team Roster
– Mathieu Beaulieu
– David Bergeron
– Carl Desroches
РBenǫt Duhamel
РFran̤ois Duhamel
– Hugues Lapointe
– Marc Lapointe
– Nicolas Perpere
– Martin Picard
РBenǫt Simard

Sponsors

Gold
– Bluberi

Silver
– Martin Swiss cycle
– Specialized Canada

Bronze
– Edge
– Verge
РCentre Peak Performance de Montr̩a
– Carciofo Sport — Marché Atwater