Astellas Pro Cycling at Tour of America's Dairyland

From June 19 through June 29, Astellas Cycling Team had a team of six riders racing their Litespeed bikes in the 11 stages of the Tour of America's Dairyland (TOAD). This was an exciting tour to follow, as Astellas rider Justin Williams was able to score to stage wins, and there were many top-10 finishes for all of the Astellas riders. By the end of the TOAD, Brandon Feehery was sitting in 3rd overall and Justin Williams in 8th. Not a bad showing! 

Stage 1: Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic

The first stage of TOAD, Justin Williams took 5th in the field.

Stage 2: East Troy Cycling Classic

On the second stage of TOAD, Brandon Feehery took 4th and Stephen Hyde took 6th in the field.

Stage 3: Giro d'Grafton

Brandon Feehery took 7th in the field and Max Korus took 12th in the third stage.

Stage 4: Waukesha Carl Zach Cycling Classic

Brandon Feehery was able to hit 7th in the field two days in row, this time in the fifth stage.

Stage 5: Beloit Bike Classic

The fifth stage was Justin Williams first win of TOAD, complemented by Brandon Feehery's 8th place finish.

Stage 6: Schlitz Park Criterium

The sixth stage of TOAD saw Brandon Feehery in 12th and Hogan Sills in 25th in the field.

Stage 7: Elkhart Road Race at Road America

Clay Murfet managed to place 24th in the field on the 7th stage of TOAD.

Stage 8: Oshkosh Criterium de Titan

There was no stopping Justin Williams as he sprinted to yet another stage victory. 

Stage 9: Fond Du Lac Commonwealth Classic

Justin Williams kept his momentum, taking 2nd on this next stage, with Brandon Feehery right behind in 3rd.

Stage 10: ISCorp Downer Classic

After the past two days, could Astellas keep their streak alive? Simply put, yes! Brandon Feehery took 5th in the field, while Justin Williams (who placed 18th for the day) was able to take home a $5500 field prime. Clay Murfet took 24th in the field.

Stage 11: East Tosa Gran Prix

On the final day of TOAD, Brandon Feehery was able to go top-10 one more time, placing 8th in the field. Hogan Sills also took 13th in the field.

2014 US Pro National Championships

Another race has come and gone; for some, it was just another year of the USA Cycling National Championships. For others, it was a Memorial Day weekend extravaganza. For us, though, it was more than that. Not only was the race held right in our own backyard, not only did we support and sponsor the race, but we finally had a pro team riding Litespeed bikes again. And they certainly did us proud.

We've been gone for a while; it feels good to be back. We ride these roads. We know these roads. And we finally had a team riding our bikes, riding our roads. It's exciting. It's fulfilling. Good job, Astellas. Can't wait for more.

Litespeed Returns to the Pro Peloton

Legendary Brand Builds on Sponsorship Heritage with Astellas UCI Pro Team

Chattanooga, Tennessee - January 30, 2014 - Veteran bicycle manufacturer Litespeed has announced that they will sponsor the Astellas Pro Cycling Team for the next three seasons. The Astellas Cycling team was recently appointed to the Pro ranks by USA Cycling as a Continental road team and will be making their professional debut in the 2014 season.

"We're thrilled to be involved with the Astellas team and be part of the excitement surrounding professional American cycling for the future," said Peter Hurley, CEO of American Bicycle Group, parent company of Litespeed. "Our hometown will again host the USA Cycling Pro National Championships with our sponsorship support, and this year we will have the Astellas team representing our brand in that race and dozens of others on the national level."

The Astellas Cycling 2014 lineup will consist of 15 riders riding several different titanium and carbon Litespeed models based on their needs. The roster includes: Ryan Aitcheson (CAN), Andrew Baker (Greenville, S.C.), Cortlan Brown (West Bountiful, UT), Thomas Brown (Athens, GA), Brecht Dhaene (BEL), Brandon Feehery (Homewood, IL), Matthew Green (GBR), Stephen Hyde (Easthampton, MA), Max Korus (Elkins Park, PA), Clay Murfet (AUS), Michael Pincus (Pearland, TX), Jacob Rytlewski (Brownsburg, IN), Hogan Sills (West Lafayette, IN), Chris Uberti (Greenville, SC), Justin Williams (Tustin, CA).

"We are really excited that Litespeed has chosen to partner with Astellas for the next three years,” said Andrew Frey, team owner and director sportif. “Litespeed has a storied history in bike racing – particularly for a U.S. brand that designs and manufactures bikes in this country. We look forward to a long and successful relationship.”

Litespeed has previously sponsored notable pro teams such as Lotto-Adecco, Calyon/Litespeed, DFL/Cyclingnews/Litespeed, Ofoto-Lombardi and the LA Sheriff Pro Cycling teams throughout its history. Additionally, Litespeed bikes have been ridden to stage victories at the Tour de France and pro-level races worldwide.

About Litespeed Founded in 1986 and based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Litespeed is the industry leader in the design and manufacture of elite titanium and carbon bicycles. Litespeed offers a wide array of racing bikes for road, mountain and cyclocross, available through its domestic and worldwide dealer network. For more information on Litespeed, please visit Litespeed.com or @Litespeed_Bike.