Jazz™ Apple Cycling Team Gears Up For NA Tour

For immediate release

14 May 2008

Jazz™ Apple Cycling Team Gears Up For Third Annual North America Tour

The ENZA Jazz™ Apple Cycling team’s third annual racing tour kicks off this week in Oregon, marking the start of a three month campaign across the United States and Canada.

The team, involving a combination of BikeNZ's elite and developing riders, will face some of the world’s best riders during the tour which begins with the Mt Hood Cycling Classic on 13-18 May and concludes on 3 August with the Hanes Park Classic in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Susy Pryde, two-time Commonwealth Games medalist and two-time Olympian, will again co-direct and race in the team.

Team mates include New Zealand national time trial and road race champion Alison Shanks from Dunedin, who will also represent New Zealand in the individual pursuit at the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

Malindi Maclean from Clevedon returns to the Jazz™ Apple team for the second consecutive year. The 19 year old was the team’s breakthrough rider from 2007 and recently named national criterium champion.

Newcomers to the team include 18 year old Lauren Ellis from Christchurch, who won the senior points race title at the 2008 national track championships, and 30 year old Ruth Corset from Townsville who has had breakout performances at the Australia road nationals. Emma Peterson, 18, also joins the team this year as the current under 19 Oceania road and time trial champion, and New Zealand under 19 road and time trial champion. Emma is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science at Massey University.

A late addition to the team is Australian rider Belinda Goss from Tasmania who will meet the team in Oregon after being based in Italy for the European spring racing circuit.

While not an official team member in this year’s tour, Commonwealth Games silver medalist Rosara Joseph will also join the team for the first race in Oregon.

“The Jazz™ team is excited at the prospect of racing at high profile events throughout the US and Canada. This year’s team represents an extremely talented line up of riders, including Olympian Ali Shanks and we’re looking forward to some great competition in the months ahead,” says Susy Pryde.

In addition to racing and training, the team members will make public appearances to promote the benefits of enjoying Jazz™ apples as part of a healthy diet, in conjunction with ENZA’s North American marketing partner, Oppenheimer.

Jazz™, the Royal Gala-Braeburn cross grown under license to ENZA in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, is a distinctive sweet-tart apple taking international markets by storm. The apples are among the most sought after produce items in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.

“We’re proud to have this talented team of professional riders and future stars of tomorrow carrying the Jazz™ name across the US and Canada. We’re looking forward to watching an exciting tour unfold,” says Campbell Naish, ENZA International Brand Manager.

Visit www.jazzapplecycling.com to view team bios and the tour schedule.

ENDS