December 20, 2007 – Vanderkitten, a new U.S.-based elite women’s road team announced their roster, which includes three Canadians: Leah Guloien, Jenny Trew and Moriah MacGregor. Other team members include Americans Jane Despas, Liz Hatch, Melissa Sanborn, Leigh Ann Valletti, Flavia Oliveira and Heather Sborz.

Scott Gross, Vanderkitten’s Director Sportif, commented on the team’s large Canadian contingent: “I’m very excited to have the Canadian girls.” He cited Canadian riders’ good reputation in terms of work ethic and ability to perform in adverse conditions. “If you can get your ass up and down those mountains [in Canada],” then you can do anything, he said.

“It’s really exciting to have two other Canadians on the team,” said Canada’s Trew, adding that not only are fellow Canucks Guloien and MacGregor strong riders, but they are also good friends.

The team’s title sponsor is a women’s lifestyle clothing company with the slogan: “For women who kick ass.” The kittens will be riding BH bicycles outfitted with the new Sunrace component group, Driven. “All of the sponsors, much to their credit, have gotten on board based on the reputation of the riders,” commented Gross. “They’re offering a tremendous amount of support, which speaks very highly of the sport and of women’s cycling in general.”

Trew commented on the new team’s management: “We have a great, supportive and enthusiastic director, manager and general manager. I’m excited to see what our teammmates and I can put together.”

“We’re super impressed with how things seem to be coming along,” she added.

The entire team will be heading to Napa, California at the end of January for a training camp. “By the time they leave the training camp, these girls are gonna be hand in glove,” said Gross. “They’ll know exactly what to do.”

Gross added that there will not be a clear-cut team captain for the entire season. “There will always be a captain on the road, but that will change depending on the race, but we will always protect the leader on the NRC circuit.”

“We’ll capitalize on everybody’s strengths. We’re not gonna be a one-dimensional team.”

The team is not just about winning, but also about cohesiveness, friendship and working together, allowing them to do the best they can do, elaborated Gross. “Don’t get me wrong, I expect them to win races.”

The team calendar will include the entire NRC circuit and North American UCI races, including the Tour of Montreal and the Tour of PEI. The team’s participation in the Montreal Women’s World Cup is not yet confirmed. “I would love to get into that World Cup,” said Gross, commenting that there are rumours the field will be limited in 2008.

The Vanderkittens are in it for the long haul. “This is a couple-year deal,” said Gross. “You can pretty much say the 2009 roster is set. We hope to go even more international next year.”

“We not only want to win races, but we want to set a very positive role in the cycling community, to set a standard in excellence. We want to make it so our current riders want to stay and other riders want to get on the team next year.”

www.vanderkitten.com

2008 Roster
– Leah Guloien (Can)
– Jenny Trew (Can)
– Moriah MacGregor (Can)
– Jane Despas (USA)
– Liz Hatch (USA)
– Melissa Sanborn (USA)
– Leigh Ann Valletti (USA)
– Flavia Oliveira (USA)
– Heather Sborz (USA)