Fuji to supply new pro team • Garmin buys South American distributor • USAC allows electronic signatures
PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRAIN)— Fuji will provide the official bikes for the first-ever Pro Continental-registered team based in Asia: Champion System.
The Champion System squad will race across the globe in 2012 aboard Fuji Altamira and SST road bikes.
The Altamira is Fuji's top-of-the-line all-carbon race bike with a tapered head tube, oversized down tube and full-carbon dropouts. It's the bike that carried Juan Jose Cobo to victory at the 2011 Vuelta a España.
The SST is Fuji's sprinter's bike, designed with asymmetrical chainstays, aero-shaped tubes, and Fuji's R.I.B. carbon membrane technology.
"We're thrilled to be a part of this historic project," said Karen Bliss, Fuji's vice president of marketing. "In partnership with title sponsor Champion System Sport, it is our mutual hope to grow the market and sport in a region with huge potential, as well as put Asia's rising stars on some of the best bikes in the world."
The squad will feature riders from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Estonia, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. Top signees include the former Chinese national champion Xu Gang, Estonia's 4-time Tour de France stage winner Jaan Kirsipuu, and 7-time Asian BMX Champion Steven Wong.
Champion System will kick off its season at the Tour of Qatar and Tour of Oman in early February.
Garmin buys Chilean distributor
OLATHE, KS (BRAIN)—Garmin has bought Centro GPS, which had been the company's distributor in Chile. The business, which distributes Garmin's automotive, outdoor recreation, fitness and marine products, will be renamed Garmin Chile.
The company will continue operations at its current facilities in Santiago, which employs approximately 25.
“We are happy to welcome the Chilean team into the Garmin family,” said Dr. Min Kao, chairman and CEO of Garmin Ltd. “Garmin is investing heavily in the emerging South American market, and this is a key acquisition that will allow us to maintain a leadership role in this important region.”
Garmin's first move into the South American market was when it opened a Brazilian office in 2006.
USA Cycling to allow electronic signatures for race registration
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (BRAIN)—Another cycling tradition may be going the way of leather hairnets: Next year USA Cycling will allow racers to complete their event registration online with an electronic signature. That means the long lines of nervous racers waiting to sign waivers on a fold-up table may diminish.
The change should save a few trees, toner cartridges and Bic pens as race organizers have less paperwork to deal with.
“We are very pleased to offer this service, which will further streamline the registration process and enhance the race experience for everyone involved," said USA Cycling president and CEO Steve Johnson.
The electronic signature is optional; racers can choose to put pen to paper at the race. If a racer is registered by another person (such as a team manager), USA Cycling will send the racer an email with a link to an electronic signature page.
Only events that use USA Cycling's online registration system will have the option.
