Santa Rosa, Calif. – Englishman Tom Faiers and American Iggy Silva headline the roster of the Wonderful® Pistachios Pro Cycling Team, which conducted its training camp over the weekend in Santa Rosa.

Faiers comes to Wonderful Pistachios from the ProTeam ranks, having competed with Footon-Servetto last year. Silva was part of the national champion Madison squad last year and raced for the Trek-LIVESTRONG Under 23 Team.

“We want to be an exciting team to watch this year and I chose the riders based on that criteria,” Wonderful Pistachios Team Owner and Director Josh Horowitz said. “These are strong, powerful and aggressive riders who will bring some personality to any race they do. We want spectators to have fun watching us race and then walk away with a story to tell their friends – and a pocket full of pistachios.”

Horowitz said the team’s race calendar was constructed to compete in spectator-friendly races where Wonderful Pistachios can give away plenty of free pistachios. But downtown criteriums and circuit races aren’t the only events where fans can cheer on the black-and-green team.

“We’re suited to do well in multiple types of races,” Horowitz said. “The Redlands Bicycle Classic should showcase the talent of our riders right out of the gate. We are also focused on the Dana Point and Manhattan Beach Grand Prix races, as well as the TD Bank Philadelphia International Championship.”

Wonderful Pistachios’ roster of 11 includes seven riders who live in California, where the team is headquartered. During training camp this weekend in Santa Rosa, Calif., the team rode the route of Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge GranFondo. Riders and staff also enjoyed an afternoon of wine tasting at the D’Argenzio Winery in Sonoma County.

“Santa Rosa was bracing for one of the worst winter storms in more than 35 years, but we got nothing but sunshine,” Horowitz said. “The sun broke through despite the dreary outlook. It kind of reflects the journey of this team. Pro cycling is going through tough times right now. But despite that, and the bad economy, we’ve managed to forge ahead with a great roster, a dedicated staff and a dream sponsor in Wonderful Pistachios.”

The team will race on Orbea bicycles and Edge Design Wheels while competing on the National Racing Calendar circuit this season. Horowitz said he is excited to partner with such well-established brands.

“We are proud to have the support of world leaders in cycling technology such as Orbea and Edge,” he said. “Forging these partnerships is another important step as I continue to grow this team.”

Tony Karklins, Managing Director of Orbea USA, said the Orbea Orca will be the team’s bicycle of choice.

“We’re very excited to be working with the guys on the Wonderful Pistachio team and look forward to their successes on the new Orca this season,” Karklins said.

The team’s wheel sponsor, Edge Design, is based in Sebastopol, Calif., and produces high-end performance carbon and aluminum wheel sets, handle bars, stems, seat posts and saddles. Founded in 2007, the company currently has distribution in California and throughout North America via its online store, www.EdgeDesignUSA.com.

Fans can follow the Wonderful Pistachios Pro Cycling Team on the official team website, www.WonderfulPistachiosProCycling.com, or by “liking” the squad’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WonderfulPistachiosProCycling.

About Wonderful® Pistachios
The Wonderful Pistachios brand features upscale, premium packaging and a bold contemporary look, appealing to a sophisticated, health-conscious consumer. Wonderful Pistachios are grown in Lost Hills, California, part of the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural heartland of California. Grown, processed and packaged by Paramount Farms, Wonderful Pistachios are available at retail outlets and grocery stores nationwide including Albertsons, Giant Eagle, Kroger, Safeway, Vons and Wegmans, and are available in a variety of sizes. For more information about Wonderful Pistachios, visit www.wonderfulpistachios.com, www.facebook.com/wonderfulpistachiosand www.twitter.com/getcrackin.

Roster (Residence):
Eric Bennett (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Tayor Bertrade-Barrett (Sonoma, Calif.)
Neil Coleman (Durango, Colo.)
Menso de Jong (Cupertino, Calif.)
Tom Faiers (Sacramento, Calif.)
Tim Farnham (San Francisco)
Sterling Magnell (Occidental, Calif.)
Alexi Martinez (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
Victor Riquelme (Middlebury, Vt.)
Collin Samaan (Fair Oaks, Calif.)
Iggy Silver (San Diego, Calif.)

Attached photos courtesy: Colleen M. Brown