American carbon frame manufacturer, Allied Cycle Works, has announced a multi-year partnership with two-time Olympian and eight-time US National Champion Lea Davison.
Davison joins Payson McElveen and Colin Strickland to ride Allied Cycle Works’ bikes and its GRAX drivetrain lube.
Through a career that has spanned two decades, two Olympics, Cross-Country, Short Track and Super D National Championships, and multiple world championship podium finishes, Lea Davison has built a strong following.
Although she announced ‘retirement’ from World Cup competition this year, she is one of 30 women selected for the inaugural Life Time Grand Prix and will be competing in a more diverse race calendar and mix of events this year.
“We are huge fans of Lea and what she’s accomplished as an athlete, but we are even more inspired by her energy and passion,” said Allied CEO Drew Medlock. “She will play an important role in the direction of our future product and athlete talent development.”
Lea Davison said “I’ve ridden for some great brands over my career, and I’m so excited to add Allied Cycle Works to that list.
“I am thrilled at the opportunity to ride Allied Bikes because they prioritize equality and equitable sponsorship for male and female athletes. Equality is something I am passionate about and have been advocating about over the course of my career.
“We also align on my goals for the next phase of my career as a competitor and a mentor, and I’m thrilled to be able to race a great bike that is made right here in the United States.”
Davison is looking forward to racing on home soil, connecting with more people, and having more time to pursue her passions. One of the most prominent of these is a project she’s working on with long-time sponsor Garneau.
At each of the six Grand Prix events this, Davison will debut a new riding kit that highlights non-profit organizations that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, women’s empowerment, and the environment.
Another of Davison’s passions is getting the next generation riding mountain bikes. She is the co-founder of Little Bellas, a mentoring-on-mountain-bikes program for girls.
Davison is looking forward to riding custom painted Allied’s ABLE and ECHO bikes. Davison called the paint concept ‘Darkness to Light’ and says they’re “the most beautiful bikes that I’ve ever owned.”
She continued, “This bike represents living in the light and proving that you can be an Olympian, you can be a professional bike racer with sponsor support, and you can be gay.
“This is an important thing to show the next generation to hopefully reduce fear. Hopefully, if some people see me wholeheartedly living my life, they can also come out of the darkness and into their light.”
