Chicago-based cycling squad to focus on upcoming regional road calendar

Chicago, IL - Clif Bar & Co. is proud to announce the title sponsorship of Team Clif Bar Midwest, a new elite amateur cycling squad based in Chicago, Ill. The program will debut in 2006 with a roster of 10 athletes and will compete in various United States Cycling Federation and American Bicycle Racing sanctioned events throughout the region. Team Clif Bar Midwest will aim to become a dominant presence on the USCF and ABR Category 3 circuit, while advancing its riders to the sport's highest levels.

"Clif Bar is truly excited to be standing behind this endeavor," said Joel Feinberg, Clif Bar's Midwest Field Marketing Manager, who worked to create the program and will also race with the team. "With grass-roots level support in the sport of cycling, we believe we can help athletes reach their full potential. The sustained efforts of racing and training make cycling the ideal arena to take advantage of the performance benefits offered by Clif Bar's energy bars, gels and chews. Also, with events taking place every weekend of the season, Team Clif Bar Midwest will provide our brands with some excellent visibility."

While Team Clif Bar Midwest is new to the region, the squad's roster includes some of the area's most successful competitors. In 2005, the 10 riders on the team's roster combined to post nearly 30 podium results in time trials, road races, criteriums and stage races. The current lineup of Team Clif Bar Midwest includes Managing Director Eric Davis ( Chicago, Ill.); Associate Director Eric Goodwin (Chicago, Ill.); Clif Bar liaison Joel Feinberg (Chicago, Ill.); Julian Baumgartner (Chicago, Ill.); Brian Boyle (Chicago, Ill.); Andy Daley (Chicago, Ill.); Jason Mindeman ( Chicago, Ill.); Matthew Novak (South Holland, Ill.); Alan Rovge (Chicago, Ill.) and Matt Welch (LaGrange, Ill.).

Team Clif Bar Midwest is operated by Freewheel Racing, based in Chicago. In addition to Clif Bar & Co., Freewheel Racing has procured a strong lineup of team sponsors for the upcoming campaign. A unique member of the team's supporting family is 26 brix, a fine dining establishment in Walla Walla, Wash. The restaurant will host Team Clif Bar Midwest riders in April when the squad competes in the 2006 Tour of Walla Walla. Also on board for 2006 are Whole Foods Market and Chicago's On the Route Bicycles. With 180 locations in North America and the United Kingdom, Whole Foods Market is the world's leading retailer of natural and organic foods. On the Route Bicycles, located in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, provides professional bike service while stocking several high-end brands. On the Route's new, expanded storefront includes a road-specific sales room and a high-end spinning studio, stocked with CycleOps training equipment. Team Clif Bar Midwest will also benefit from the product support of Orbea bicycles, Mavic wheelsets and Axley eyewear.

The team's calendar will include high-profile regional events such as the Memorial Day weekend races along the Illinois and Iowa border, the Arlington Heights Criterium in Arlington Heights, Ill., the Sports Grand Prix in Downers Grove, Ill., the Illinois USCF State Criterium Championships in Winfield, Ill. and many of Wisconsin's Superweek events in July. In addition to racing, the squad will be appearing at events around the Midwest to promote Clif Bar's environmental outreach. "Part of our goal in creating this cycling team was to also better serve the community and the global environment through participation in various Clif Bar environmental initiatives, "said Feinberg.

Members of Team Clif Bar Midwest are training under the guidance of Quixote Coaching Programs, based in Des Moines , Iowa. In addition to directing the squad's strength and fitness program, Coach Donny Quixote is working to enhance the team's tactical and strategic background. For additional information on QCP, visit www.quixotecoaching.com.