2004 Team rostersMoritz ChevroletMoritz Chevrolet Cycling Team presented by Legg-Mason Financial, enters its fourth season of racing with a roster of 19 riders. Moritz Chevrolet of Fort Worth has generously signed on as title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Focusing on road racing, cyclocross, and track events, the team will compete in Texas and the Southwest region. Moritz team goals include competing in the TXBRA Cup Series in addition to participating in charity fund raising bicycle rallies and rides. The core roster of riders from the 2003 racing season remains, with several key transfers occuring late in the season. With the addition of four masters racers, the team has bolstered its 2004 Masters racing effort. The team hopes to be a formidable force on the Masters racing scene with the addition of perennial sprinter Mike Reade and his faithful leadout man, Scott Helm. The team also added climber Luca Zamboni, who has returned from training in the Provence (Mt. Ventoux) region of France. Criterium specialist and all-rounder Brad Fisk transferred during mid-season 2003 and complements the masters contingent. In addition, Dr. Jeff Murray, a Category 2 and Masters 35+ racer, who is a cancer specialist, has come out of retirement, rejoining the fray. Masters 45+ racer Aron Seiken has made a remarkable return to racing from a severe life-threatening femur fracture sustained in a training accident in late 2002. After an extended stay in hospital, his return to form and competition in 2003 enhanced team morale greatly. Cyclocross specialist, Art Exum, is also on the mend, after fracturing his neck in a horrific shunt at a regional cross race in Austin, Texas. His return to racing is planned for March 2004. Currently recovering from sinus surgery, the rouleur Ajai Cadambi, plans on contributing in 2004 to the masters effort. Junior racer Russell Walther, who will attend university in the fall, returns for his final season with Moritz. Russell, the team's chrono specialist, finished on the podium (5th) at the U.S. National Championships Junior's (17 and 18) Individual Time Trial in 2003. He also moved up from Category 4 to 2, making remarkable strides in 2003. He also was a member of a U.S. team competing in the Tour de L'Abitibi, in Quebec, Canada. Through class, character and sportsmanship, on and off the bike, MCC has promoted cycling and charity fundraising on the Texas cycling scene for 4 years. The premier project for 2004 will be the team's promotion and sponsorship of the Cowtown Criterium, which will serve as the Texas State Criterium Championship. Held in the Cultural Museum District of Fort Worth, the race will have over $5000 in prize money and primes. The proceeds from the Cowtown Criterium will, once again, benefit the Citizen's Support Group for the Fort Worth Police Bicycle Patrol. MCC will also continue its efforts to raise funds for Cook Children's Medical Center's Life After Cancer Program (LACP, www.cookchildrens.org). This program was founded by team member, Jeffrey C. Murray, M.D., and is generously endowed by grants from the Lance Armstrong Foundation (www.laf.org). The program helps childhood cancer survivors deal with post-treatment medical and psycho-social issues. The team will once again help sponsor and headline two fundraising bicycle rides in 2004: The Aledo Ride for the Heroes (4/3/04, www.aledobikeride.com) and the Kiwanis Club Cowtown Classic Bike Ride (9/11/04, www.cowtownclassicbikeride.org). The Kiwanis Club of Worth recently presented Dr. Murray and the LACP with a check for $8,500 with proceeds from the 2003 event. Team Roster Rene Anzaldua, 54, Cat 5, Masters Team Staff Directeur Sportif: Jack Richards Sponsors Moritz Chevrolet of Fort Worth, www.moritzdirect.com |