US registered domestic elite cycling team Hagens Berman Cycling has received increased support from its title sponsor, law firm Hagens Berman LLP for the 2012 season. “I couldn’t be happier with the trajectory of this program,” commented Steve Berman, Managing Partner of Hagens Berman LLP. “I’m proud to offer these guys the opportunity to experience racing at a professional level and look forward to this coming season and more.”
This increased support will be instrumental in the team’s effort to continue its vision of being one of the premier development teams in US cycling. “We’re very proud of our long running record of developing professional riders,” Alan Schmitz, General Manager of the team stated. “With this increased commitment to our program, we will be able to offer our riders a first class environment in which to succeed.”
In 2012, the team will once again be racing on Blue Competition bicycles and rolling on Cole Wheels and Vittoria Tires. Riders will be outfitted by Castelli and fuelled by Hammer Nutrition. Supporting sponsors include Shimano, Connex, DeFeet, Gravitec Systems, Smith Optics, Lazer Helmets, Rocky Mounts and Black Diamond Equipment.
The Hagens Berman Cycling Team is a Northwest based team headquartered in Seattle. The team has over a decade of experience developing riders, many of whom have graduated to the professional ranks. Alumni include riders such as Tyler Farrar, Svein Tuft, Tom Peterson, Morgan Schmitt, Jennifer Wheeler, Sam Johnson, Adrian Hedgyvary and its latest graduate Chris Parrish who has signed for a US Continental Squad in 2012.
“Hagens Berman is one of a select few elite amateur teams in North America from which we look to recruit,” said Jonas Carney, Director of the Kelly Benefit Strategies-Optum Health Pro Cycling Team. “Their program has been around for a very long time and consistently graduates riders into the pro ranks. The riders who make that jump are ready because they have been given the time and resources to develop fully in a positive environment with good guidance. The Hagen Berman program is an integral part of the development pipeline here in America.”
“The Hagens Berman Cycling Team crucially fills a need in the competitive cycling community. They are consistently the best amateur team at the open races and the riders race with an accountability and responsibility lacking in even some professional teams,” said Gord Fraser, Director at RealCyclist.com Pro Cycling Team. “It’s no wonder this program graduates more riders to the professional ranks than any other.”
