2006 Team rosters

California Giant Strawberries/Village Peddler for 2006

Coming off a successful cyclocross season that saw Justin Robinson defend his national title and Andy Jacques-Maynes finish in the top 10 at three of the U.S. Grand Prix races, White Jersey Sports, Inc. has announced announce its roster for the 2006 California Giant Strawberries/Village Peddler elite cycling team.

In 2005 the California Giant Strawberries/Village Peddler elite cycling team won its first U.S. National Race Calendar event at the Cascade Classic, scored third place finishes overall at both the Redlands Classic and the Mt. Hood Stage Race, and had an additional twelve victories.

Along with the return of 2005 team members Patrick Briggs and John Hunt, the team has expanded with a number of extremely experienced riders from the professional ranks. They include James Mattis, Ben Haldeman and Andy Jacques-Maynes who rode for Webcor in 2005, Patrick Dunaway who was with McGuire-Langdale last season and former professional and two-time Olympian Dirk Copeland. Rounding out the 2006 squad are Kevin Rowe (Washington State Champion), Justin Robinson (2-time Cyclocross National Champion), Chris Leito, Matt Willinger, Mike Talega, and Max Sprin.

The team plans to compete in all the west coast National Race Calendar/UCI events as well as select NRC/UCI events in other parts of the United States. Financial support for the team comes from California Giant Berry Farms, the Village Peddler bicycle shop, Weyerhaeuser Paper Company, The Meyer Group, Capitola Carpets and agriculture companies, Soil Fume, Trical and Trans Fresh.

California Giant is one of the nation's largest grower-shippers of fresh strawberries. The company has sponsored the team for over five years to contribute to the health of American consumers by providing an abundant, healthy & delicious product. They are committed to supporting cycling and other organizations that send positive messages about the importance of combining diet and exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. In addition to the elite team California Giant also sponsors a grass roots master's team and a junior development team.

For 2006 the elite team will be supported by Specialized for bicycles, components, shoes, helmets and glasses, Squadra Team Gear for clothing, FRS Plus nutritional products, PureFit nutrition bars, Crank Brothers pedals, Showers Pass technical rain gear, DeFeet socks and base layers, and Red Bull energy drink.

On January 20th through January 22nd 2006, team members and sponsors will gather in Watsonville California for a short training camp and to finalize the race programs for the individual riders.

Team roster

Patrick Briggs, Mountain View, CA
Dirk Copeland, San Luis Obispo CA
Patrick Dunaway, Oakland, CA
Ben Haldeman, Goleta, CA
John Hunt, Fairfax, CA
Andy Jacques-Maynes, Capitola, CA
Chris Leito, Danville, CA
James Mattis, Mountain View, CA
Justin Robinson, Bonny Doon, CA
Kevin Rowe, Bellingham, WA
Max Sprin, Walnut Creek, CA
Mike Talega, Dana Point, CA
Matt Willinger, Walnut Creek, CA

Support Staff

Anthony Gallino, Team Director, Watsonville, CA
Joe Pettinger, Assistant Team Director and Press Manager, Bend, OR
Chris Gardner, Assistant Team Director, Santa Cruz, CA

2006 team rosters