Tina Pic and Sebastian Haedo Sprint to Consecutive Titles

Linden, NJ (May 26, 2009) — The Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light seized the home-field advantage at the 2009 Tour of Somerville, known as the “Kentucky Derby of Cycling.” With spectators lining every inch of the roughly one-mile course, including representatives from team sponsors Colavita USA and Jamis Bicycles, Tina Pic and Sebastian Haedo sprinted to their second consecutive victories.

Capturing her fourth career win, Tina Pic established herself in the pantheon of Somerville champions. The first winner of the Mildred Kugler Women’s Open to successfully defend her title in over 10 years, Tina also took the top honors in 2000 and 2006. Only two other athletes — former World Champion Karen Strong-Hearth and two-time world sprint champion Sue Novara-Reber – have accumulated as many wins in the 30+-year history of the race.

In the 2009 edition, the Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Team, represented by Kelly Benjamin, Cath Cheatley, Andrea Dvorak, Shontell Gauthier, Rachel Heal, Tina Pic, and Nicky Wangsgard, raced aggressively for 17 laps over the four-corner circuit. The field remained intact until the end, ready to finish in a bunch sprint. Tina launched her sprint from the final corner and crossed the line ahead of Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci-Breakaway) and Laura Van Gilder (C3-Sollay).

“We always race to win,” said Tina. “But the Tour of Somerville is special. Our sponsors are here to support us and we want to do our very best for them.”

In the 50-mile Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour of Somerville, the Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Team timed its lead-out perfectly to launch Argentinean sprinter Sebastian Haedo for his second consecutive victory. Teammates Luis Amaran, Alejandro and Anibal Borrajo, Luca Damiani, Guido Palma, Kyle Wamsley, and Tyler Wren worked relentlessly against repeated attacks to keep Sebastian in position. Just before the last corner, Sebastian jumped and overtook Jake Keogh (Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Aldo Ino Iiesic (Team Type 1) on the final straight.

Celebrating his victory, Sebastian acknowledged the support of co-title sponsor Colavita USA and bike partner Jamis Bicycles and the honor of racing before the extended Team Colavita family, including the U23, junior, and recreational teams.

The Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams continue racing next weekend in Montreal with the Women’s Cycling World Cup and Arlington, VA where the men’s team will line up to support Luca Damiani in his quest for a second consecutive win at the CSC Invitational.

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

The Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light are racing stronger than ever. In 2008, the men’s and women’s teams accumulated more than 50 individual and team victories across all forms of road racing. As one of the few programs that supports both a men’s and women’s team at the highest levels of US cycling, Colavita/Sutter Home is committed to investing in promising young athletes. Colavita/Sutter Home sponsors the Colavita New Jersey U19 Racing Team, the largest junior program on the East Coast, and the Colavita U23 Racing Team.

In addition, Colavita/Sutter Home champions cycling at the local level through support of 10 elite clubs which include more than 350 recreational cyclists in nearly 20 states throughout the US. Bookmark www.ColavitaSutterHome.com for news and information about the pro, regional, and junior teams.

Colavita USA imports and distributes the #1 brand of Italian extra virgin olive oil in the US 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. Visit www.Colavita.com to learn more about Colavita USA.

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 2009 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, Ritchey handlebars, stems, and seat posts, Selle San Marco saddles, Vittoria tires, and Profile Design Aero bars and levers for time trial bikes. Team jerseys and all technical apparel 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 Fila, GU Sports, Headsweats, Skin Care for Athletes, TetraPak, and Thule.

Photo of Sebastian Haedo courtesy of Marco Quezada