Sprinters Tina Pic and Sebastian Haedo Return to Defend Titles

Linden, NJ (May 15, 2009) — Five-time US National Criterium Champion Tina Pic and Sebastian Haedo of the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light will return to defend their titles at the 2009 Tour of Somerville on Monday, May 25th.

Colavita/Sutter Home made history at last year’s Tour of Somerville, winning both the men’s and women’s pro races. Haedo and teammate Kyle Wamsley of Hatfield, PA delivered a one-two victory punch in the 50-mile Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour of Somerville, finishing first and second, respectively. The pair are racing in top form this season, with a combined total of five victories and numerous podium finishes, including Haedo’s stage win at the Tour of the Gila where he outsprinted the field of world-class cyclists, including seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and three-time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer.

Colavita/Sutter Home is poised to dominate the podium in the 20-mile Kugler Women’s Open as well. Tina Pic, who recently claimed the overall USA Crits Speedweek Series title for the second straight year, aims to extend her victory streak at Somerville with a fourth win. Joining her in Colavita/Sutter Home colors at the start line this year will be sprinter Kelly Benjamin, who finished second in the 2008 edition racing for Team Cheerwine, and Olympians Cath Cheatley and Rachel Heal.

The Tour of Somerville is a highlight on the racing calendar for the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams. “We feel like the home team here,” said Sebastian Alexandre, Directeur Sportif of the Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team. Iona Wynter Parks, Directeur Sportif of the Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team agreed, “Two of our major sponsors, Colavita USA and Jamis Bicycles, are headquartered in New Jersey so we always want to make them proud.” In addition, the criterium format of the Tour of Somerville showcases Colavita/Sutter Home’s flawless execution of racing tactics and the firepower of its sprinters.

Rosters for the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light for the 2009 Tour of Somerville include:

Men’s Team: Women’s Team:

• Luis Amaran (CUB) • Kelly Benjamin (USA)
• Alejandro Borrajo (ARG) • Catherine Cheatley (NZ)
• Anibal Borrajo (ARG) • Andrea Dvorak (USA)
• Luca Damiani (ITA) • Shontell Gauthier (USA)
• Davide Frattini (ITA) • Rachel Heal (UK)
• Sebastian Haedo (ARG) • Tina Pic (USA)
• Kyle Wamsley (USA) • Nichole Wangsgard (USA)
• Tyler Wren (USA)