08.01.13

Avanti powers Huon Salmon Genesys Wealth advisers Pro Cycling Team for 2013 - Avanti will be the bike of choice when the new-look Huon Salmon Genesys Wealth Advisers team shoots for its fourth consecutive National Road Series (NRS) team classification title in 2013.

Avanti Genesys

Avanti will be the bike of choice when the new-look Huon Salmon Genesys Wealth Advisers team shoots for its fourth consecutive National Road Series (NRS) team classification title in 2013.

Australia’s newest pro cycling team was unveiled today in Melbourne with the team roster comprising some of the most talented riders from Australia and New Zealand. Pat Shaw will captain the team backed by Anthony Giacoppo, Jai Crawford, Nathan Earle, Aaron Donnelly, Jack Haig, Alex Clements, Ben Dyball, Brenton Jones, Campbell Flakemore, Jack Beckinsale, Joseph Cooper, Jonathan Lovelock, Kane Walker, Sam Davis and Tom Robinson.

The team acts as a ‘feeder’ to the top Tour De France and Pro Continental teams and helped launch the careers of leading international riders Richie Porte, Will Clarke, Nathan Haas and Steele Von Hoff.

After taking out the coveted Teams competition in the NRS for the third time in a row last year, the organisation is looking to extend its winning streak in 2013 when the Huon Salmon Genesys Wealth Advisers team competes in the NRS, a series of races hosted by Cycling Australia as a platform to showcase the nation’s best road cyclists and their teams. The 2013 series will cover 14 events across Australia starting with the Tour De Perth from 11-14 April.

Long time major sponsor Genesys Wealth Advisers will share naming rights with Huon Salmon for 2013. “We are thrilled to have Genesys back for another year”, said team manager Steve Price. “They are more than just a sponsor to us, they are part of the family, and we enjoy working with them.  Mr Price also welcomed a non-industry sponsor whose meticulous approach to everything they do he said would benefit the team. “Huon are a Tasmanian success story and are world leaders in Salmon farming and production. They have grown to become a real force in sustainable aquaculture”, said Mr Price.

 The team will also see a change in bike brand sponsors for 2013 from Sheppard Industries Limited, with their Avanti brand to take over from Malvern Star. The Quantum and Corsa DR will be used for road races and the Chrono Evo 2 for time trials. “These new Avanti models represent cutting edge technology and innovation with exclusively designed frames and forks”, said Bob Boniface, Managing Director of Sheppard Industries. “With an investment of more than A$1m in research and development for these models, we’re delighted to bring the benefits of this work to the team as it looks for the edge that delivers a fourth consecutive Teams title”,  he said.

Another new sponsor to the team is Torq Nutrition which will provide race and recovery products, while long-standing sponsors Champion System, Adidas Eyewear, Sram, Zipp, Praties, Perth Integrated Health, Aussie Butt Cream, Park Tools, Kenda, Zero, Giro and Blackburn remain an integral part of the team for 2013.

The 2013 Herald Sun Tour marked the first official appearance of the Huon Salmon-Genesys Wealth Advisors team equipped with new Avanti Corsa DR and Quantum bikes. The team finished first on the overall teams General Classification (GC) led by Aaron Donnelly who wore the yellow jersey into the last stage and finishing a gallant second in the individual overall GC and taking out the Green Jersey.

Teammate Nathan Earle took out the final stage to give the team an impressive two stage wins and claim the overall team prize.

Meanwhile, Anthony Giacoppo has been selected to ride in the Tour Down Under for the UniSA team which traditionally selects a mix of elite and U23 Australian riders not currently riding with any Pro Tour teams to give them the opportunity to compete in a UCI event.

In 2006, the race classification was elevated to Hors Categorie and Team UniSA became the official Australian national team in the event, becoming Team UniSA-Australia. Team UniSA-Australia is now the exclusive Australian national team in the event, giving Australia’s up-and-coming cyclists an opportunity to ride with the world’s best, many of whom secure a Pro cycling contract afterwards.

AVANTI RIDERS