Momentum Sports Group Takes Success Off Road with Maxxis-Shimano Pro Cyclocross Team 

Oakland, CA. – Momentum Sports Group, owners and operators of the successful UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, will take their vast experience in team management into the cyclocross arena for the 2015/2016 season with the launch of the Maxxis-Shimano Professional Cyclocross Team. Focusing on a complete schedule of marquee North American races, the team will debut where the cycling industry, media, and retail partners converge each year: Las Vegas, Nevada’s Cross Vegas (UCI World Cup) event, in conjunction with the 2015 Interbike trade show.

Racing for the Maxxis-Shimano Pro Cyclocross Team will be Danny Summerhill, Luke Keough, Erica Zaveta, and Cari Higgins. A selfless teammate on the road for his UnitedHealthcare Blue Train brothers, Danny Summerhill brings tremendous bike handling skills and a long list of impressive results to the new cyclocross program, including a U23 national championship title and multiple UCI victories in 2014 (Derby Cup day 1 & 2, Cincy3 Harbin Park). Perhaps best known as a track racer and lead out specialist for the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, Cari Higgins brings a strong work ethic and a powerful sprint to the Maxxis-Shimano Cyclocross Team. Erica Zaveta joins the squad from BMW p/b Happy Tooth road cycling team and Amy D Foundation cyclocross team, where she turned heads with a breakthrough 2014-2015 season, consistently improving her results throughout her first professional season and taking a major UCI victory at the 2014 Gateway Cross Cup.  

Luke Keough comes from a cyclocross dynasty in the New England states, where he has amassed numerous victories (5x Cyclesmart Intl Winner) and a loyal following within the cyclocross community. Now located in Colorado Springs and known as a dangerous sprinter and tactician for the UnitedHealthcare Blue Train, look for Luke to bring high-speed finesse to the program, thanks to his background in BMX and ten years of cyclocross racing experience. The team will be managed by Rachel Heal, experienced sporting director of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team. 

Momentum Sports Group has assembled category-leading partners to provide the talented roster with the best possible equipment to battle the demanding conditions and courses throughout the season. The riders will train and race on handmade cyclocross-specific frames from world-famous, top-quality frame builder, Parlee Cycles. The Z-Zero XD frames will be outfitted with Shimano Di2 electronic drivetrains, hydraulic disc braking systems and wheel sets, wrapped in various top-notch tire options covering every course and condition from global tire supplier, Maxxis. “Maxxis is very excited to partner with Momentum Sports Group to form this new team and reconfirm our commitment to the exciting sport of Cyclocross. We look forward to working with the team to advance our Cyclocross tire offerings, leading to the development of some exciting new offerings over the course of the next couple of seasons. It will be great to put our tires to the test in the highest level Cyclocross events in the United States” said Duncan McGuire, Sales & Sponsorship Coordinator of Maxxis’ Bicycle Division. Shimano Marketing Manager Dustin Brady commented, “With Momentum Sports Group’s proven development and management capabilities in professional road racing, we are excited to see what the future holds for this team and look forward to being a part of it. More than anything, we are fans of all aspects of cycling and we are excited to see what our support combined with the management of the Momentum Sports Group can do to help Danny, Luke, Cari and Erica realize their goals as individuals and as a team.” 

To keep the bikes running smoothly, Kogel Bearings will supply high-quality bottom brackets built to withstand the abuse of cyclocross. Always focused on performance, the team will track their efforts with the industry’s most accurate and comprehensive on-bike data system: Pioneer Power Meters, Cycle Computers, and CycloSphere software programs. PRO Components will complete the bike with handlebars, stems, saddles, and seat posts.  

Ground-breaking optics and helmet manufacturer SMITH will protect the riders from the elements and injury with Arena optics and the aerodynamic, yet highly protective, Overtake helmet. The rider’s bodies will be outfitted with high-performance clothing from Pearl Izumi and Swiftwick socks. “We are very excited to see Momentum Sports Group take on a new challenge and bring their professionalism to another side of the sport, bringing on a strong squad with a ton of potential,” commented Mallory Burda, Bike Promotions Manager at SMITH. 

Maxxis-Shimano Pro Cyclocross Team Partners:
Maxxis
Shimano
Parlee
Pioneer
SMITH
PRO Components
Pearl Izumi
Swiftwick
Kogel Bearings
UnitedHealthcare

Team owner Thierry Attias commented, “At Momentum Sports Group, we’re always looking for ways to grow within the sport of cycling and create value for our partners. We feel that Cyclocross in the United States is in a place of healthy growth and expansion right now, and we are excited to become a part of that. When we make a forward step, we like to do so with a solid foundation; with the right partners in place, a sound plan, and the right athletes on board to make an impact on the sport and serve as ambassadors for this organization and the partners that stand behind us. We’ve achieved that with the Maxxis-Shimano Pro Cyclocross Team.”