Tour of China

Again to China - STRADALLI-BIKE AID receives invitation to tour of China (UCI 2.1)

Just back from China, it is time to prepare the bags again. STRADALLI – BIKE AID Procycling team receives invitation to this year's Tour of China in September.

After the team achieved many good results at this year's Tour of Qinghai Lake (UCI 2.HC) in last month, the guys can look forward to travel again to China. The organizing committee of Tour of China send an invitation to the 14 stage Tour of China that leads through that huge country in far east. The race is categorized in UCI class 2.1 and contains many sprint stages but as well couple of very hard mountain stages.

„We are very happy to receive this invitation to another high ranked and well organized stage race in Asia. This invitation shows also a kind of proof of our latest results and progress we did with this team. We are also sure that we will play again a good role especially in the sprint stages with our Sprinter Meron Teshome from Eritrea“ Yves Beau (one of the sporting directors) explained. 

The race takes part from September 09 to September 25. Grand Start is in Tianjin near Beijing.  

Team Stradalli-Safetti Pro Cyclist Jose’ Frank Rodriguez

Team Stradalli-Safetti Pro Cyclist Jose’ Frank Rodriguez (Rep. Dominican

Republic) has been on one amazing ride. A Journey which began 2 years ago where he placed 3rd at the UCI Paralympics World Championship held in Greenville, SC. But the story doesn’t start there. Back In 2002 Jose’ was involved in a near death life changing car accident where his leg was badly crushed from the knee down.

A difficult decision, left Doctors almost having to amputate his Left leg from the knee; but with amazing medical technology they were able to save his leg while although still badly scarred and with limited movement; he still and has learned to be a top level pro cyclist with this handicap and still capture countless podium finishes with Non-handicapped riders all over the world and country. A testament to his hard work and a positive attitude; by not letting this otherwise life changing accident keep him from achieving his dream of bringing home a Gold medal for Team Stradalli-Safetti and his country at the Rio’ Paralympics Games in 2016.
Competing in roadrace , track and Time Trial , maybe its 3 podiums. He still has one big race left on his calendar which he considers“training”. The Clasico Cayey in Puerto Rico, August 17th-22nd   after

that it’s back to the D.R for some Intense Mountain Training and other local races from August 22nd to September 3rd. Then he will travel over to Brazil, September 7th-18th for the Rio’ Paralympics Games; which will be his final challenge to bring home the Gold Medal.

We will keep you updated on his success as we follow this travels.

On everyone's desk this morning bicycling magazine

Stradalli – Bike Aid pro team’s new full page was released in Bicycling Magazine this month. The photo was taken in Mallorca when the team was preparing for the Mallorca Challenge earlier this year.

The team started early in 2016 in Gabon, Africa at La Tropicale Amissa Bongo taking multiple top 10 and podium finishes. From Africa the team flew straight to Mallorca for the Challenge Mallorca for four days of racing with top World Tour teams from all over Europe. The team met with Stradalli Cycle management for product testing, photo shoots and training rides around beautiful Mallorca.

The photo features 9 of the top riders from Stradalli – Bike Aid Continental Professional Cycling Team and title and official bike sponsor Tom Stradalli. Bike Aid and Stradalli joined forces this year on a 3-year multi-million dollar deal.

Stradalli - Bike Aid Gears Up For La Tropicale Amissa Bongo

The beginning of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo is closing in. January 18, 2016 the UCI 2.1 status race features some of the best teams in the world. More importantly it is the most prestigious race in Africa and it is the first race on the calendar for Stradalli-Bike Aid.

         For the 10th straight year the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo will be held in Gabon, Africa.  This race consists of 7 stages. 3 stages that will take the riders on a tour through the hillier parts of Eastern Gabon. 1 stage is an individual time trial and the rest of the stages will be held near the flat coastline of West Gabon.

          Competing with Stradalli-Bike Aid for the race are teams representing countries from each region of Africa as well as Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling Team.

          La Tropicale Amissa Bongo is one of the few races during the season that amateur African cycling teams have the chance to race with professional teams who race a full UCI calendar. The race focuses on developing African cycling, which makes it a large target for Stradalli-Bike Aid.

          Timo Schafer, team leader for Stradalli-Bike Aid, said La Tropicale Amissa Bongo is the perfect place to begin the season and debut the new racing team.

          “This was the most successful and exciting off season in team history between training in the United States and all around Europe, the new racers we have added to the team and the new sponsorship with Stradalli Cycle. Having the support of a great sponsor makes you even more optimistic about the upcoming season and we are excited to see what the new members of the team can do as well. Now we get to go to Gabon, Africa to show how serious we are about our mission to develop African cycling.” Schafer said.

          Stradalli - Bike Aid has had several success stories including Mekseb Debesay, a Eritrean professional cyclist. Dimension Data, UCI World Tour Professional Team, bought Debesay from Stradalli-Bike Aid because of his performances over the course of 2015. Debesay is just one success story of the Stradalli-Bike Aid team and Dimension Data are not the only major players who have noticed.

          Matthias Schnapka, professional rider for Stradalli-Bike Aid, feels that the new sponsorship which includes Aversa full carbon road bikes, is going to make a big difference for the upcoming season.

          “We have been training with our new bikes for a couple of months and they are fantastic. Every pro cyclist in the world will tell you about the importance of having reliable equipment when competing at such a high level. I know I speak for the whole team when I say the support from FSA - Full Speed Ahead has been outstanding. I can say the same for Prologo Seats. Having these big companies like those go out of their way to support us is very special.” Schnapka said.