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.