Team Colavita Sports, LLC
UCI     USCF

Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team Presented by Cooking Light to Race Inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium

Linden, NJ  (February 15, 2008) Iona Wynter-Parks, Shontell Gauthier, and Nichole Wangsgard will represent the Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light at the inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women's Criterium presented by the Redwood Regional Breast Center during Stage 1 of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California on February 18, 2008.  Joining the trio to race in Colavita/Sutter Home colors will be Kori Kelly Seehafer of Louisville, CO.

Now in her third season with the Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team, Iona represented her native Jamaica in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and is a formidable competitor on the track, where she has raced to numerous top five finishes in World Cup competition and is currently ranked 9th in women’s scratch.  

A strong all-around cyclist with a powerful sprint, Nichole achieved numerous top five finishes in NRC criteriums last year.  She took first place in the Green Mountain Stage Race Criterium and was named Sprint Jersey Champion for the overall event.  Shontell made the transition to road racing from BMX in 2006.  Last year, she finished in the top 10 in many of the major races on the NRC calendar. 

Kori Kelly Seehafer is among the most versatile cyclists in the North American women’s peloton.  Despite injuries early in the season, Kori achieved over 15 podium appearances for road races, time trials, and criteriums in 2007.  Kori was recently named to the Long Team of athletes eligible to represent the United States at the 2008 Olympics Games in women’s road cycling, along with Colavita/Sutter Home cyclists Alison Powers and five-time U.S. National Champion Tina Pic.

Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light roster for the Amgen Tour of California Women's Criterium presented by the Redwood Regional Breast Center:

  • Shontell Gautheir (USA)
  • Kori Kelly Seehafer (USA)
  • Nichole Wangsgard (USA)
  • Iona Wynter-Parks (JAM)

 

About the sponsors of the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light

Colavita USA imports and distributes the #1 brand of Italian extra-virgin olive oil in the U.S. as well as durum wheat semolina pasta, a full selection of balsamic and wine vinegars, and many other fine Italian products.  A family-owned business headquartered in Linden, NJ, Colavita has championed the sport of cycling throughout its 25+-year history.   The company supports the Colavita New Jersey U19 Racing Team, the largest junior cycling team on the East Coast, as well as recreational cycling clubs in 9 states, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas.  Through its charitable arm, the Colavita Foundation for Children, the company provides bicycles and helmets to children in need.  To learn more about Colavita USA, please visit www.Colavita.com.

Sutter Home Winery is wholly owned and operated by the Trinchero family, Napa Valley vintners since 1948.  The company produces the wines of Sutter Home, Trinchero, Montevina, Wild Bunch, Trinity Oaks, Folie à Deux, Ménage à Trois, Napa Cellars, the number one alcohol-removed wine, Fre, and imports Angove’s, Reynolds Vineyards and Little Boomey wines of Australia.  For more information, visit www.tfewines.com.

Founded in 1987, Cooking Light (www.cookinglight.com/cooking) is the world’s largest food magazine. Each month, more than 11 million consumers turn to Cooking Light to “eat smart, be fit and live well.” CookingLight.com provides daily food and fitness updates, healthy recipes and nutrition advice to millions of unique visitors every year.

For the 2008 season, the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light will be riding Jamis super-light Xenith SL road frames and the revolutionary Xenith T2 time trial bikes supplied by Jamis Bicycles, designed and marketed by the G. Joannou Cycle Company (GJC) of Northvale, NJ. Established in 1937 by the father of CEO and President Carine Joannou, GJC ranks among the largest bicycle companies under private ownership in the US.  For more information about Jamis and to view the complete line of bicycles, please visit www.JamisBikes.com.

The bikes are fully equipped with Shimano components, wheels, shoes, and pedals, Easton handlebars, stems, and seat posts, Fizik saddles, Vittoria tires, and TRP Brake levers for time trial bikes.  Team jerseys are provided by Giordana; helmets, glasses, and bags are supplied by Rudy Project.  Additional sponsors of the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light include American Suzuki Motor Corporation, GU Sports, and Headsweats.

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