January 20, 2005
January 20, 2005 - Fiordifrutta Team Announcement – 2005
Fiordifrutta Team Announcement – 2005
Fiordifrutta, an Italian producer of organic jams and honeys, is proud to announce the roster of one of the highest ranked US amateur cycling teams. The team has spent the last five years near the top of the National Racing Calendar points classification and held the #1 amateur team ranking in July of 2004. The squad consists entirely of riders from New England and it racked up twenty-seven wins in 2004.
The team will start its season with a training camp in Tucson, AZ from February 15-28th. The schedule for 2005 includes NRC and National Championship events as well as regional races on the East coast.
The squad has always focused on the development of younger riders, and continues as the nation’s premier program to help riders step up to the next level of cycling. The team is happy to lose Shawn Milne for 2005as he moves on to ride for the Navigators Professional Cycling Team. Other team riders who have moved onto careers in professional cycling include: Justin Spinelli (Saeco, Navigators), Jonathan Page (Prime Alliance, Guerciotti), Mike Jones (West Virginia, Healthnet), and Matt Svatek (Sportsbook.com). Team riders who have ridden for the US National Team in Europe include: Oliver Stiler-Cote, Shawn Milne, Darby Thomas, Robbie Dapice, and Donny Lopez. Team members have held more than twelve National Championship titles.
The team in 2004 is the largest to date at fourteen riders, consisting of nine returning veterans and five new additions. The veterans are highlighted by team leaders Jon Hamblen and Mike Dietrich. Hamblen was the rider of the 2003 squad with the most victories (14), and looks to improve on his fourth place finish from the 2004 Elite National Road Race Championships. Dietrich finished 6th in the same race, and is confident that he can return to form after a broken collarbone brought a premature end to his 2004 season. Phil Wong and Peter Hult return for their second season with Fiordifrutta, and both riders topped off their 2004 seasons with top finishes. Wong was 2nd place at the Mt. Washington Hillclimb and Hult finished in 4th place as the top amateur in the Green Mountain Stage Race.
Other returning riders include cyclocross superstar Johs Huseby who was 2nd at the 2004 National Cyclocross Championships for 30-34 Men, and Don Mills and Josh Gewirtz whose combined tactics and strength make them a part of every team win. Rider managers Chris Peck and Curt Davis continue with the team, and the nine wins between them in 2003 and 2004 prove that they are as strong as ever.
New additions for 2005 include Matt White, who after a fourth place finish at the National Cyclocross Championships in the Under 23’s will represent the US at the World Cyclocross Championships. Larry Perera comes to the squad with the strength and experience from having spent two years in the professional ranks for Sportsbook.com and Sharper Image/Mathis Brothers. Michael Cody and Dan Timmerman also signed on after showing tremendous progress rising through the USCF ranks in the last year. After a podium finish at the Tour of Ohio last year, Chris Rozdilsky will bring his all-around power to the team.
Complete rider bios can be found below and the team is also happy to announce the following supporting sponsors:
Albabici (Material sponsor)
Cannondale (Frames and SI Cranks)
Circolo Ristorante (Fine Italian Food)
Clif Bar (Nutritional Products)
Dr. Dan O’Neill – NH Knee Center (Healthcare)
Headsweats (Headgear)
Kool Stop (Brake Pads)
Mavic (Wheels)
Michelin (Tires and tubes)
Northwave (Shoes)
Pedros (Bike care products)
Redbones (New England’s Best BBQ)
Rudy Project (Helmets and Eyewear)
Sci Con (Technical bags)
Selle Italia (Saddles)
Sock Guy (Socks)
Time (Pedals)
Trialtir (Material sponsor)
Michael Cody, Age 23, Category 1, Burlington, VT
Michael is a senior at UVM who has already seen success at the national level. He looks forward to joining the team this year and is an all-around rider with few moments of weakness.
2nd 2004 Great Falls Criterium, ME
3rd 2004 Tour of Ohio Stage 4
4th 2004 National Collegiate Championships Criterium, Div. 1
12th 2004 National Criterium Championships, Under 23
13th 2004 National Road Race Championships, Under 23
Mike Dietrich, Age 24, Category 1, Norwood, MA
Mike was the nation’s fourth ranked amateur for 2003, and can climb and sprint with the pros. He broke his collarbone in 2004 after posting two stage wins in the Tour of Ohio and a 6th place at Elite National Road Race Championships. He looks to return to top form in 2005.
6th 2004 Elite National Road Race Championships, CA
1st 2004 Tour of Ohio, Stage 3
1st 2004 Tour of Ohio, Stage 5
5th 2003 Univest Grand Prix, PA
8th 2003 Elite National Championships Road Race, PA
1st 2003 Marblehead Circuit Race, MA
1st 2003 Tufts Criterium, MA
Josh Gewirtz, Age 21, Category 1, Bethany CT
The 2005 season will be Josh’s third year in senior ranks, but he has already had a stellar career as a junior rider with one National Championship title on the track, and many wins in road events. He has raced internationally in Brazil, Cuba, and Germany, and had a very successful first year with Fiordifrutta in 2003. Josh is a student at Colorado College but will spend most of the racing season at home in Connecticut.
1st 2003 Tour of Southeast Ohio, Stage 4
1st 2002 Fitchburg/Longsjo Circuit Race, Junior, MA
7th 2002 Junior National Criterium Championships
12th 2002 Tour L’Abitibi, Stage 4 time trial, Canada
2nd 2001 Tour of Havana Del Este, Cuba
1st 2000 Junior National Championships, 15-16 Scratch Race
15th 2000 Junior Pan-American Championships, Brazil
Jon Hamblen, Age 29, Category 1, Carlisle, MA
Jon has immense experience as a bike racer, he began racing at age 14 and has spent three years as a professional, two of those on the Navigators team. Jon was 1998's Velonews Amateur of the Year and has posted top results at National Calendar races around the country. Jon is the Fiordifrutta rider with the most wins, with fourteen in 2004, six in 2003 and eight in 2002. He is one of the best amateurs in the country and finished 2nd at the 2002 National Road Race Championships in Tennessee.
4th 2004 Elite National Championships, Road Race, CA
1st 2004 Cox Charities Cycling Classic, RI
2nd 2002 Elite National Championships, Road Race, TN
1st 2001 Tour of Southeast Ohio, Individual G.C.
3rd 1998 Elite National Championships, Road Race
Peter Hult, Age 24, Category 1, Harvard, MA
Peter brings well rounded skills that propelled him to a top-20 finish overall at the 2004 Tour de Toona against the nation’s best professionals. Peter can sprint and climb with the best, making him a threat in any event.
1st 2004 Mt Greylock Hillclimb
1st 2004 Whitcomb Hill Road Race
4th 2004 Green Mountain Stage Race, Overall GC, VT
1st 2003 Monson Road Race, MA
1st 2003 Jamestown Road Race, RI
Johannes Huseby, Age 30, Category 2, Somerville, MA
Johs was a member of the 2003 US Cyclocross World's Team in Monopoli, Italy. He spent 2004 as one of the team's chief support riders, and his goal is to bring his incredible power to road events. Johs is also a former National Collegiate Cyclocross Champion.
2nd 2004 National Cyclocross Championships, 30-34 Men, OR
1st 2004 BRC/Slick Willy Cyclocross, MA
1st 2003 Palmer Cyclocross, MA
3rd 2002 Verge New England Cyclocross Series, Overall
Don Mills, Age 35, Category 1, Exeter, NH
Donny is the longest standing member of the team, dating back to his team debut in 1992. His tactical skill and ability to sacrifice himself for the team makes him an important part of every result. Donny is an instructor in physical education and dorm parent at Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. Although he never quite reached the professional ranks as a hockey player, he coaches the JV hockey team as well as waterpolo and cycling at Exeter.
1st 2004 Cyclonauts Road Race, MA
1st 2001 Yarmouth Clam Fest, ME
1st 2000 Falmouth Road Race, ME
2nd 2001 Marblehead Circuit Race, MA
3rd 2000 National Cyclocross Championships (30-34 Men)
Larry Perera, Age 28, Category 1, Cape Cod, MA
Larry comes to the team after two years in the pro ranks racing for upstart teams Sportsbook.com and Sharper Image/Mathis Brothers. He is a proven race winner who will be a huge asset to the squad.
1st 2004 Massachusetts Road Race Championships
1st Unionvale Road Race, NY
1st Fall River Criterium, MA
Chris Rozdilsky, Age 30, Category 1, Bethel, CT
Chris is also a new rider for Fiordifrutta in 2005 and comes off a solid 2004 that saw him post top results at some big National Racing Calendar events. Chris is a personal trainer and coach who works with many clients and athletes in the Connecticut area.
2nd 2004 Unionvale Road Race, NY
2nd 2004 Tour of Ohio Stage 1
10th 2004 Tour de Toona Stage 3, PA
Dan Timmerman, Age 24, Category 1, Clay, NY
Dan is a new addition to the squad for 2005 having spent 2004 rapidly upgrading through the USCF ranks. Dan spends the winter months in Tucson, AZ and hopes to have a fast start in 2005.
1st 2004 Tour of the Hilltowns, MA
3rd 2004 Tour de Toona Road Race, Category 2, PA
9th 2004 Green Mountain Stage Race, Overall GC
Matt White, Age 21, Category 2, Longmeadow, MA
Matt is one of the nation’s top cyclocross riders and will be representing the US at the 2005 World Championships. Although in the past he considered himself a cross specialist, he is excited to have a full squad to work with on the road in 2005. Matt runs a high-end bike shop in Longmeadow, MA when he is not racing and training. www.fittoride.com
4th 2004 National Cyclocross Championships, Under 23, OR
2nd 2004 Crank Brothers Cyclocross Series, Under 23
1st 2004 Gloucester Cyclocross, Under 23, MA
Phil Wong, Age 25, Category 1, Gloucester, MA
Phil is an outstanding climber who has twice finished 2nd to top pros at one of the nation’s most prestigious hill climbs, where 600 riders scale New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington. Phil’s 2003 time of 55:23 was good enough to set a new amateur record, despite the high winds and fog that covered the summit.
2nd 2004 Mt. Washington Hillclimb, NH
2nd 2003 Mt. Washington Hillclimb, NH
12th 2004 Tour de Toona, Overall GC, PA
9th 2003 Fitchburg-Longsjo Stage Race, Stage 3, MA
Curt Davis, Age 33, Category 1, Sandy Hook, CT
Curt has been one the nation’s strongest amateurs for many years, with one of his top results being a 3rd place at the Elite National Road Race Championships. Curt is a threat to win any event that he enters and uses his considerable power to help the team to many victories. Curt is an engineer at Cannondale, as well as co-manager of the team.
1st 2004 Wachusett Circuit Race, MA
3rd 2002 National Cyclocross Championships, 30-34 Men, CA
1st 2001 Housatonic Valley Classic, Points Competition, CT
2nd 2003 Capital Region Road Race, NY
Chris Peck, Age 34, Category 1, Southbury, CT
Chris brings a wealth of experience to the team, which he puts to use both on the race course and as team director. The national level is where Chris excels, with many top twenty finishes in the Elite Road National Championships. Chris is an engineer at Cannondale, and designed the frames that the team competes on.
1st 2003 Capital Region Road Race, NY
1st 2003 Vermont 50 Mile Mountain Bike Race
1st 2003 Fox Hill Cyclocross, CT
2nd 2003 Unionvale Road Race, NY
3rd 2004 Tour of the Hilltowns, MA
2004 Fiordifrutta Team Highlights
1st Tour of Connecticut, Amateur Points Competition
1st Tour of Ohio, Stage 3
1st Tour of Ohio, Stage 5
1st Cox Charities Cycling Classic, RI
1st Exeter Criterium, NH
1st Sterling Road Race, MA
1st Lime Rock Circuit Race, CT
1st Lime Rock Team Time Trial, CT
1st Whitcomb Hill Road Race, MA
1st Yarmouth Clam Festival, ME
1st NH International Speedway Criterium
1st Rock Hill Criterium, SC
1st, 2nd Wachusett Circuit Race, MA
1st Lake Auburn Road Race, ME
1st Ninigret Criterium, RI
1st Cyclonauts Road Race, MA
1st Land Mine Classic Mountain Bike Short Track, MA
1st Winston Salem Criterium, NC
1st Mt Greylock Hill Climb, MA
1st Salisbury Cyclocross, NC
1st Cary Cyclocross, NC
1st Crossing the Creek Burlington Cyclocross, NC
1st BRC/Slick Willy Cyclocross, MA
1st Winter Cup Series Cyclocross #1, NC
1st Winter Cup Series Cyclocross #2, NC
1st Winter Cup Series Cyclocross #3, NC
1st Winter Cup Series Cyclocross #4, NC
2nd Cyclocross National Championships, 30-34 Men, OR
2nd Tour of Connecticut, Stage 1
2nd Mt. Washington Hillclimb
2nd Tour of Ohio, Overall GC
2nd,3rd Bio Wheels UCI Cyclocross, OH
2nd North Jersey Classic
2nd Monson Road Race, MA
2nd Mt Humboldt Road Race, AZ
2nd Collosal Cave Road Race, AZ
2nd Tufts Criterium, MA
2nd Canton Cyclocross, MA
2nd Greensboro Cyclocross, NC
3rd Tour of Connecticut, Overall GC
3rd Tour de Toona, Sprint Classification, PA
3rd Tucson Bike Classic Stage 2
3rd Whitmore Landscaping UCI Cyclocross, NY
3rd Downtown Claremont Criterium, NH
3rd Adelphia Grand Prix, MA
3rd La Vuelta de Bisbee Stage 2 TT, AZ
3rd Superior Criterium, AZ
3rd Hartford Criterium, CT
3rd Tour of the Hilltowns, MA
3rd Competitive Edge Cyclocross, MA
4th, 6th Elite National Road Race Championships, CA
4th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, Stage 3, MA
4th Tour de Toona, Stage 4, PA
4th Tour de Toona, Stage 6, PA
4th Tour de Toona, Team GC (top amateur team)
4th, 8th Green Mountain Stage Race, Overall GC, VT
4th, 7th Green Mountain Stage 3, VT
4th Veryfine Grand Prix, MA
4th Perry Roubaix Time Trial, GA
4th West Hill Putney Cyclocross, VT
5th Tour of Connecticut, Stage 5
5th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, Overall GC, MA
5th Tour de Toona, Stage 2, PA
6th Superior Road Race, AZ
6th La Vuelta de Bisbee GC, AZ
7th Tour de Toona, Stage 5, PA
7th Marblehead Circuit Race, MA
7th Green Mountain Stage 4, VT
8th WE Stedman Cyclocross, RI
9th NYC Amateur Cycling Championships
12th Bank of America Invitational Criterium, NC – 1st amateur
17th Cyclocross Elite Men National Championships, OR