Cheerwine Women’s Professional Cycling Team 2008
The "ladies in red" return with a strong roster adding six new riders to a the successful core of 2007. Jame Carney joins the team as performance director.

Cheerwine Women’s Professional Cycling Team returns to racing in 2008 with a strong lineup and a full calendar.

Leigh Hobson - (Time Trial Nature Valley GP) and Laura Van Gilder sprint diva return to the Cheerwine team for 2008. Photo © Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

Returning riders include Laura Van Gilder, the 2008 Women’s NRC Champion & USA Crits Series Champion. Kelly Benjamin, winner of SuperWeek in 2006 & 2007, Catherine Cheatley of New Zealand, the 2007 Bronze Medalist in the Worlds Points Race, Leigh Hobson of Canada, 2nd Overall and QOM in the 2007 New Zealand UCI Trust House Tour and Sarah Bamberger of San Francisco, a member of Cheerwine’s winning 2007 USA Crits Series team.

New 2008 members are Anne Samplonius of Canada, the current Canadian National & Pam American Time Trial Champion, Stacy Marple, winner of the 2006 Bermuda Grand Prix, Marisa Asplund-Owens, stage winner in the 2007 Tour of Gila, Robin Farina, winner of the 2007 Mengoni Grand Prix, Allyson Brandt, winner of Most Laps Led in the 2007 USA Crits Series and Tashony Noplos, a young rider that is set to surprise many in 2008.

“ I am very pleased with the quality of our roster for 2008 both on athletic ability and on the outstanding character of each athlete” Comments Team Owner and founder Anne Bolyea. “Along with our management, staff & sponsors I feel we have great balance going into the 2008 season.”

2007 Manhattan Beach GP: Kelly Benjamin on the attack softening the field for Laura Van Gilders victory. ©2007 Thien Dinh

In 2007 the team had 22 wins in either NRC single day events or stages in NRC stage race events. The team also recorded another 34 podium placing in such events. Add to that 11 wins in non NRC events such as The Indio Grad Prix, The Bermuda Grand Prix and the Overall Team win USA Crits Series, Cheerwine had a solid 2007 season.

Van Gilder started the season with victory at Bike Jam.
Photo © Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

“ I would like to say thank you to all of the girls that made up our 2007 roster as well as to our staff and sponsors for making it a special year.” “Each one of our athletes made solid contributions to our success.” “ Our goal is to win races while conducting ourselves in a professional and friendly manner.”

Jame Carney Joins Team as Competition Director
“Cycling is a special sport. It and our sponsors deserve nothing less.” Says Team Director Thad Fischer. “We have structured our 2008 program with that in mind and I am very pleased to announce that Jame Carney will be joining us in 2007 as Competition Director. We welcome him to the program.”

Cheerwine Women’s Professional Cycling Team will contest the entire 2008 NRC Calendar. The team has 3 weeks of training camps and starts the race season in Santa Rosa, CA on February 18th.

Van Gilder leads in the team time trial at Toona. Photo © Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

Returning Team Members:
Laura Van Gilder
Sarah Bamberger
Leigh Hobson
Kelly Benjamin
Catherine Cheatley

New Team Members:
Anne Samplonius
Tashony Noplos
Robin Farina
Allyson Brandt
Marisa Asplund-Owens
Stacy Marple

Sarah Bamberger    Photo © Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

Management and Staff
Anne Bolyea, Team Owner
Thad Fischer, Team Director
Jame Carney, Competition Director
Dan Reymann, Team Mechanic
Rich Faigle, Team Soigneur

Laura takes her second win at Toona by a decisive margin.
Photo © Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

Team Sponsors/Partners:
Cheerwine: Title Sponsor: Makers of “The Original Cherry Flavored Soft Drink”
Orbea: Frame Sets
Reynolds Cycling: Wheel Sets
Champion Systems: Clothing
Vittoria: Tires and Tubes
TRP: Brake Sets
Shimano: Shifters, Derailleurs, Cassettes, Chains & Pedals
LH Thomson: Stems and Seat Posts
FSA: Crank Sets and Bottom Brackets
Ritchey Logic: Road Handle Bars
Terry Cycling: Saddles
Profile-Design: Time Trial Bars and Bottle Cages
Rudy Project: Helmets and Luggage.
Nature’s Path: Bars and Cereals
Motor Tabs: Energy Drink and Bottles
Tifosi Eyewear: Sport and Casual Glasses.
Park Tool: Maintenance and Repair Tools
Midland: Radio Communications

More info on the team and their sponsors can be found at www.cheerwinecycling.com
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