Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light Finishes #1 in the National Rankings for 2009

Colavita Celebrates Best Season Ever

Linden, NJ (September 15, 2009) — The Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light wraps up the 2009 racing season as the #1 professional men’s cycling team in the US national rankings. All together, the 12-man squad achieved more than 15 individual victories and over 20 podium finishes. Colavita/Sutter Home’s sprinting sensation Sebastian Haedo ranked second overall in the men’s individual rankings classification with teammate Alejandro Borrajo fifth overall.

The Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light concludes the season as the #3 team in the US, with 14 individual victories and over 30 podium finishes. The Colavita/Sutter Home squad celebrated with star sprinter Tina Pic as she claimed the US National Criterium Championship title for a record-setting sixth time in her final year of competitive racing. Pic and teammate Catherine Cheatley finished in the top 5 for the women’s individual standings.

“With top rankings for both teams and a national championship title, 2009 will clearly be remembered as our dream season!” said John A. Profaci, Vice President of Marketing for co-title sponsor Colavita USA, which markets the #1 brand of Italian extra virgin olive oil and other specialty food products, including Perugina chocolates.

“On a personal level, these results are extremely satisfying after the hard work put in by all involved over the years – the cyclists, staff, and management,” added Profaci. “In the men’s program, we were very fortunate from the start to have US cycling legends Frankie and Mark McCormack put their arms around the Colavita program after the Saturn team ended.”

“Sebastian Alexandre, now Directeur Sportif of the Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Team, has been with us from the very start back in 2002,” Profaci continued. “Sebastian has helped deliver the winning magic of his childhood friends, the Haedo and Borrajo brothers.”

“On the women’s side, Tina Pic, Iona Wynter Parks, and Dotsie Bausch have worked hard over the years to establish Colavita/Sutter Home as one of the top squads in the North American peloton,” said Profaci. “Under the leadership of Tina and Rachel Heal, I know the team will remain at this winning level.”

Rosters for the 2010 teams are currently in formation. Signings will be announced later this year.

Photo of the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light is courtesy of Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us