Cycling Illustrated

Watch Out for BISSELL at Redlands

April 3, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Watch Out for BISSELL at Redlands

BISSELL brings a stocked roster to this year’s Redlands Classic. Even with the loss of last year’s GC winner Phil Gaimon due to an injury, the team brings back Paddy Bevin who finished 2nd overall in 2012 and had three stage wins. In addition to Bevin, Frank Pipp, Chris Baldwin, Michael Torckler, Jeremy Vennell, Carter Jones, Pat McCarty and Jason McCartney will take the start.

New for this year, the opening stage will be a mile-high time trial along the north shore of Big Bear Lake. The lung searing race against the clock will be at 6,800 feet. Friday’s 120 mile circuit race includes 5 laps of twenty four miles. If past years are any indication, the peloton will not let a significant break develop and a large group will come to the finish. Last year, Bevin took the uphill sprint finish. The third stage is a 90 minute crit in downtown Redlands, and BISSELL’s Pipp and Bevin will be focused. The final stage is the Sunset Road Race with a course set up for breakaways. The BISSELL Team will come out in force and look to reclaim their title as 2012 winners of the team classification.

Filed Under: BISSELL Pro Cycling, News, Redlands Bicycle Classic Tagged With: Bissell, Redlands Bicycle Classic

Young Michigan Cyclist Called up to the Pros

January 17, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 17, 2013 – The BISSELL Pro Cycling Team is proud to announce that it has signed Mac Brennan for the 2013 season. Brennan raced in 2012 for the BISSELL U25 development team, BISSELL-ABG-NUVO, and was brought up to the BISSELL pro squad as a stagiare in July 2012.

Brennan, a twenty-two year old resident of East Jordan, Mich., has experienced a steady rise in the sport where he’s netted top results at races throughout the Midwest including sixth at the 2012 USA U23 Elite Road National Championships. Brennan’s first race for the BISSELL Pro Cycling Team was the 2012 USA National Criterium Championship in Grand Rapids, Mich. and then the Tour of Elk Grove.

“I was impressed with Mac’s skill set as a bike racer right away”, said BISSELL Director Omer Kem. “He was eager to do whatever the team asked and took direction very well. It was a very easy transition for him into the pro team.”

The BISSELL U25 development team was established to develop young Midwestern cyclists into professional bicycle racers, and Brennan is a great success story. Kem speaks of the U25 team: “They have built a team structure that cultivates talent by providing valuable NRC race experience, as well as, teaching the young riders how to behave as professionals. This is hugely valuable to the pro team as we know that we have a great pool of young riders to draw from.”

For 2013, BISSELL will look to Mac to support the overall team effort, as well as, give him opportunities to shine at events that suit his strengths. “Helping with the development of young Michigan riders is an important goal for the team,” said Kem.

Founding sponsor, Bob Hughes of Advantage Benefits, adds, “When Mark Bissell and I started the pro team, our number one priority was to give talented and dedicated young Michigan riders the chance to climb the cycling ranks which we’ve seen with Brent Bookwalter whose gone on to compete on an international level. Adding the Elite/Development team last year has doubled those efforts and it’s exciting to see Mac work up to the Pro Team. He is a perfect example of what we are lending our support to. It’s Exciting. Go Mac!”

For updates on BISSELL Pro Cycling year round, visit www.Bissellprocycling.com.

Filed Under: BISSELL Pro Cycling, News Tagged With: BISSELL Pro Cycling Team, Mac Brennan

2013 Roster Announced for BISSELL Pro Cycling

December 10, 2012 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 6, 2012 – The BISSELL Pro Cycling Team is again poised to dominate racing in North America with the announcement of the outstanding roster of twelve riders: Frank Pipp, Chris Baldwin, Jeremy Vennell, Jason McCartney, Patrick McCarty, Phil Gaimon, Patrick Bevin, Carter Jones, Julian Kyer, Tommy Nankervis, Andrew Dahlheim and Michael Torckler.

As the winningest team in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) in 2012, BISSELL will again look for invitations to the major UCI tours, as well as compete in NRC stage races. McCartney, a long time pro tour rider and two-time member of the U.S. Olympic road team, will add strength and proficiency. His long list of results includes a third place overall at the 2007 Tour of California, mountain classification wins at both the Tour of California and Tour of Georgia, and a stage win at the Vuelta Espana. Patrick McCarty with three years of race experience in the pro tour including twice at the Giro de Italia will be a great asset to the team while Gaimon brings his strength in the NRC where he was ranked fifth in the 2012 individual standings.

“BISSELL Pro Cycling has continued to strengthen its roster in 2013 by adding depth,” saidDirector Omer Kem. “Riders like Phil Gaimon, Patrick McCarty and Jason McCartney will add serious horsepower and results potential to what was arguably the best BISSELL line up ever in 2012. Returning riders Frank Pipp, Chris Baldwin and Jeremy Vennell will continue their roles as team captains and allowing Carter Jones and Paddy Bevin to add to their 2012 successes. Julian Kyer, Andrew Dahlheim, Michael Torckler and Tommy Nankervis will drive BISSELL Pro Cycling’s progress towards being the best North American Continental team.”

Complementing this outstanding roster will be the finest equipment racing in North America. The BISSELL team will again be on Pinarello and for 2013 will be racing on the newest Dogma 65.1 Think 2. The bikes will be outfitted with Campagnolo Record groupsets and select riders will be on Record EPS. The BISSELL Team is proud to be on the full range of Campagnolo Bora wheels and Hyperon climbing wheels for 2013. The team welcomes new sponsors including Spidertech, Giro, Chamois Butt’r, Esoles, and GoSoap Sports Detergent, as well as, returning sponsors Giordana, First Endurance, Speedplay, Vredestein, SRM, MOst, DMT, Blackburn, Merrell, K Edge, Finishline, Feedback Sports, and Stuffitts.

The team is honored to announce the continuing support of title sponsor, BISSELL Homecare, and primary sponsors including Advantage Benefits, EmploymentGroup and Emerald Spas.

For updates on BISSELL Pro Cycling year round, visit www.Bissellprocycling.com.

Filed Under: BISSELL Pro Cycling Tagged With: *Bissell Pro Cycling (USA), Bissell