mike.m-@obra.org

Portland, Oregon (February 7, 2002) - For Immediate Release



Team Oregon & River City Bicycles announce partnership.



River City Bicycles, Oregon's premiere bicycle retailer, has agreed to

sponsor Team Oregon, the Pacific Northwest's largest amateur Cycling team.

Since 1986, the Portland based club has dedicated itself to introducing

new cyclists to competitive racing.    



Team Oregon spokesperson Scott Powell says the partnership is a perfect

blend. "Team Oregon is dedicated to the development of amateur cyclists,

particularly junior and women cyclists. River City is committed to

providing the highest quality equipment and service to the cycling

community. We are very excited to be affiliated with such a top-notch

shop."



River City owner Dave Guettler is excited about the partnership as well.

"River City's primary objective is supporting cyclists and expanding

people's knowledge of cycling in general. I feel the partnership will be

a great benefit to both Team Oregon and River City. The stores' employees

and myself look forward to supporting Team Oregon members in reaching

their goals."



Team Oregon currently has over 100 members actively racing. Coaching

Director Bill Cass explains, "Our focus is not on winning the local

Category 1 races. Team Oregon is more interested in developing young

junior racers, inspired women cyclists, or 30+ master's racers. We have

riders in all categories and of all abilities."



Athletes who have developed to a national level through Team Oregon

include 16-year-old Larssyn Staley (now with the renowned Saturn Cycling

Development program) holder of numerous national junior titles and

reigning Women's under age 23 national champion. Hood River's Luke

Pennington, a multiple junior national champion, will continue to develop

at the highest competitive levels in a Team Oregon/River City jersey.

David Johnson's 8th place finish at the 2001 under 23 men's national

championship was the best performance by an Oregon rider in over a decade.

Now competing for a national caliber amateur club, David has trained under

the advice of Team Oregon's volunteer coaches since 1995.



Continuing to develop with Team Oregon is 17-year old Mikkel Bosen. State

Champion in the Junior Individual Time Trial, Mikkel is the 2001 winner of

Oregon's season long Best All around Rider competition.



In conjunction with developing cyclists, Team Oregon members promote

weekly races and introductory classes at the Alpenrose Velodrome in SW

Portland, Women's and Masters racing at Portland International Raceway and

the Eugene Celebration Cycling Classic. Team Oregon President, Mike

Murray, sums up the new partnership with River City Bicycles best by

pointing out, "With Team Oregon and River City Bicycles working together,

the uninitiated cyclist can find the proper equipment at River City's

centrally located store as well as guidance from the members of Team

Oregon without having to search all over town."



For more information about Team Oregon or River City Bicycles go to

<http://www.teamoregon.org or <http://www.rivercitybicycles.com