Team Planet Bike 2009

photo by Jamie Young

Planet Bike, a leading manufacturer of innovative, high quality, and practical bicycle accessories, is honored to announce its 2009-2010 Cyclocross Team roster. In its third year of sponsoring a Cross team, Planet Bike is thrilled to have Jonathan Page back for a second year and to welcome Katie Compton to the team. Two of the nation’s top cyclocross stars Page and Compton will both race predominantly in Europe after kicking off their season with Cross Vegas on September 23 during Bike Industry trade show Interbike.

"It is an absolute dream come true for us to have two of the best cyclocrossers in US history in Compton and Page riding for our small company. Besides being outstanding riders, both Katie and JP are quality people who are very representative of the Planet Bike philosophy of hard work and doing things the right way," stated Planet Bike's founder Bob Downs.

Additionally the team will field a talented Midwest based Elite, Juniors, and Masters team. The Elite team is proud to bring back Mark LaLonde, Jesse LaLonde, Tristan Schouten, and Kristin Wentworth. Both Mark and Kristin raced UCI events throughout the country last year scoring numerous top 10 results. After some unfortunate injuries early on last year Jesse and Tristan are healthy and ready to resume their history of strong racing. New additions this year include James Lalonde and Minnesotan Linda Sone. The Elite team will focus on gathering points at UCI events throughout the season.

Wisconsin has a talented cyclocross presence among all ages and Planet Bike is proud to sponsor some of the nation's top young riders. Juniors include 2008 US Cyclocross Champion Sarah Huang (age 13-14), 2008 bronze medalist Kaitie Antonneau (age 17-18), and 2008 bronze medalist Jordan Cullen (age 13-14). The masters team will be headlined by two time US Cross Champ Diane Ostenso (age 55-59).

The first round of the US Grand Prix Cyclocross series will be in the hometown of Planet Bike – Madison, WI – on September 26th and 27th. The entire team will participate in the prestigious event that is set to bring the top North American cyclocross stars to Wisconsin.

Midwestern Elite team members will be sponsored by Ridley Bicycles and will be riding the new 2010 Ridley X-Night and X-Fire. Team Planet Bike is proud to again be riding Edge wheels and Challenge Tires. In addition to these sponsors, Team Planet Bike will also represent TRP brakes, Lazer helmets, CinQo Power meters, and Vermarc clothing. A team presentation will occur on Friday September 11 at 6pm at Chronometro bike shop in Madison, WI.

Planet Bike, founded in 1996, has always believed in the great potential of the bicycle to help improve the world and the lives of the people in it. The company has embraced an alternative corporate purpose which seeks to help get more people on bicycles by making communities friendlier places for the self-propelled. Planet Bike accomplishes this by donating 25% of company profits to causes that promote and facilitate bicycle usage. By the end of 2009, Planet Bike will have donated $1 million to organizations that are dedicated to making America a friendlier place for cyclists.