Press Release: 2011 Trakkers—Revolution3 Racing Team

(Boulder, CO) January 25, 2011 – The 2011 Trakkers—REV3 Racing Team returns
with new athletes, new sponsors, and a new mission.

After a successful first season, Team Trakkers begins the New Year by revitalizing its relationship with the Revolution3 Triathlon Series, which now supports the team as its co-Title sponsor. Presenting sponsors include both Kestrel Bicycles and First Endurance, who return this year to support the 11-person professional team and 39-member amateur squad.

New partners for 2011 are industry-leading companies, AVIA (footwear), TYR (wetsuits, speedsuits), and Canari (apparel).

“The Revolution3 Team is overjoyed at the opportunity to be a sponsor of such high-class professional athletes. Their determination and drive to succeed motivate each and every one of us at Rev3. Our goal is to push the sport of Triathlon forward and we hope our commitment to this group of athletes shows that we take this growth seriously. We cannot wait to see them at the Rev3 races this year,” said Charlie Patten, Head Honcho of the Revolution3 Triathlon Series

“Kestrel is excited to be part of the Trakkers—REV3 Triathlon Team,” said Steven Harad, Kestrel Brand Manager. “This is our second year with the Trakkers team and with the addition of many top level athletes, we are looking forward to a successful season.”

“First Endurance is pleased and honored to be associated with this high caliber team of athletes and sponsors,” stated Robert Kunz, the VP of Science and Technology at FE. “All of the athletes will be using the entire system of First Endurance products, and more importantly they will have influence and input on our new product development, allowing us to keep producing and upgrading our line so it remain the best on the market.”

In addition to the changes in sponsorship, the team roster has grown and evolved. Returning members—Richie Cunningham, Brian Fleischmann, Jacqui Gordon, Amanda Lovato, and Michael Lovato—welcome new athletes, Hillary Biscay, Courtenay Brown, Kathleen Calkins, Chris McDonald, Jessica Meyers, and Matt Sheeks.

With a refreshed athlete roster and its committed sponsors, Team Trakkers—REV3 begins the 2011 race season with an evolved mission: to promote and help grow the Revolution3 Triathlon brand; to gain exposure for the world’s first real-time GPS tracking devices; to represent triathlon’s strongest brands; and to compete at a world-class level over varied distances, at multiple triathlon series worldwide.

“We had a great year in 2010, but our aim is to improve across the board, as we go forward,” stated Michael Lovato. “To evolve in a positive direction, we have partnered with key sponsors who are committed to the sport of triathlon, to its growth, and to its athletes. We could not be happier with our group of sponsors, or with our recharged roster of athletes.”

The full professional team includes:

• Hillary Biscay: 2008 Ironman Wisconsin Champion; 15-time top-three Ironman finisher
• Courtenay Brown: Danskin Tri & Silverman Half winner; Inside Tri columnist
• Kathleen Calkins: 2010 REV3 Cedar Point 3rd place; Top Amateur Kona 2009
• Richie Cunningham: 2x 70.3 Champion; 4x Top-Five 70.3 World Championships
• Brian Fleischmann: 1st World Team Champs; 2x 2nd place USAT National Champs
• Jacqui Gordon: Multiple Ironman and 70.3 Top-Ten finisher
• Amanda Lovato: 2010 Pucón 70.3 Champ; Multiple Half Iron Winner; Multiple IM Top-5
• Michael Lovato: 2x Ironman Champion; 3x Top-Ten Kona; 3x National Champion
• Chris McDonald: 3x Ironman Champion
• Jessica Meyers: 2010 Augusta 70.3 Champ; US National Team; Armed Services Champion
• Matt Sheeks: 2010 Duathlon Pro National Champion; 2009 Duathlon AG World Champion

Trakkers, the world’s first real-time GPS racing device, announces the inception of its Elite and Age Group Triathlon Team for the 2010 season.

“It is with great pleasure that I present the brand new Trakkers Triathlon Team,” says Trakkers head honcho, Charlie Patten. “In order to enhance the way family and friends track their athletes on race day, we created the Trakkers GPS devices. And in order to better promote the product we have created, we are now establishing a top-notch team of individuals racing in the Trakkers colors.”

To coincide with the highly anticipated spring release of the Trakkers athlete-tracking device, a group of world-class professionals has been assembled. The 2010 pro roster is as follows:

• Richie Cunningham: 2x 70.3 Champion; 3x Top-Five at 70.3 World Championships
• Dede Griesbsauer: 2x Ironman Champion; 3x Top-Ten Ironman World Champs
• Mary Beth Ellis: 2009 Escape from Alcatraz Champion; 2x 2nd place at 70.3 World Champs
• Amanda Lovato: 2010 Pucón 70.3 Champion; Multiple Half Ironman Champion
• Michael Lovato: 2x Ironman Champion; 3x Top-Ten Kona; 3x National Champion
• Brian Fleischmann: 1st World Team Champs; 2x 2nd place at USAT National Champs
• Jacqui Gordon: Multiple Ironman and 70.3 Top-Ten finisher
• Carole Sharpless: 2006 IM Florida 2nd place; 2007, broken back; 2010, comeback year.

To complement the Elite Team, a squad of 36 Age Group athletes is also on board for 2010. Headlining the amateurs is Kathleen Calkins, the top AG athlete at the 2009 Hawaii Ironman World Championships. Additionally, the Trakkers Team is broadly represented in the tri ranks, from the pointy end of the races proudly to the back of the pack.

Partnering with this unique and cutting edge Team, are three triathlon industry powerhouses: Saucony shoes and apparel, First Endurance nutrition, and Kestrel bicycles.

Robert Kunz from First Endurance stated: “This is a perfect partnership for us, not only because of the high caliber of athletes, but also because of the management and philosophy of the team.”

Carrie Bartlett of Saucony added: “This partnership allows Saucony the opportunity to connect with more triathletes and build the Saucony brand within the sport. We are excited to be the official footwear and apparel of the team in 2010.”

Steven Harad of Kestrel commented, “I look forward to a successful season; to have the entire team riding Kestrels and providing feedback will help us continue to grow.”

Team member Michael Lovato added, “I’m so proud to be a part of this innovative team. What really makes the Trakkers Team unique is that our partners are three of the strongest players within our industry. For decades Saucony has been a loyal sponsor of triathlon, and over the years they have remained committed to creating the best running shoes around. Kestrel has such a rich history within our sport as well: it introduced triathletes to carbon fiber bikes, and it is returning to the forefront of the bicycle world with its cutting edge developments. And in First Endurance, we have aligned with a company who cares first and foremost about creating clean, safe and effective nutritional products that work for elites as well as beginners. While each sponsor is very powerful independently, under the banner of a bold company like Trakkers, our team has the ability to truly set trends and change the way we participate in and view our sport.”

The 2010 season started out with a victory for the Trakkers Team, with Amanda Lovato’s win at Ironman 70.3 Pucón on January 24th. The Elite Team continues its racing next at the Miami International Triathlon on March 14th, where Richie Cunningham, Mary Beth Ellis, and Brian Fleischmann will be competing.

Keep up with the progress of the pro squad by tuning into www.twitter.com/TrakkersElite, and checking www.trakkersgps.com for regular BLOG updates.