2006 Team rosters

Ford Cycling

The Ford Cycling mountain bike team has announced its roster of riders and sponsors for the 2006 season. Seasoned professionals Kelli Emmett and Sara Bresnick-Zocchi will both be returning to ride for the Ford Team in 2006. Joining the team this season will be fourth year pro, Kathy Sherwin. Additionally, the Ford team continues its mission to develop talented female riders by welcoming U-23 rider Melanie Meyers to the squad for 2006.

Kelli Emmett, of Colorado Springs, CO, returns as the reigning US Super D champion. Kelli also had the distinction of being an automatic qualifier for the US World Mountain Bike Team and represented the US at Pan Am Championships where she earned a silver medal. Kelli also made 3 podium visits at the 2005 Sea Otter finishing that event 5th overall. For 2006, Kelli will compete in both World Cup and NORBA races as she builds a foundation for the 2008 Olympic team. In addition to her racing, Kelli works as a senior coach for Carmichael Training Systems. She manages the training programs of her 20 athletes, day or night, from anywhere in the world. Kelli is also regular visitor to Michigan where she participates in many activities that support the growth of mountain biking in her home state.

Sara Bresnick-Zocchi from Boston, MA, returns for her 3rd season with Ford. The high point for Sara came at the Snowmass Nationals where Sara had a break through performance in the cross country event finishing 9th, and went on to place a career best 7th in the short track in Brian Head Utah. She went on to post several more top 10's proving that living on the East Coast is no barrier to a top performance. Look for Sara to have another break through in 2006 as she reaches for a podium spot on the National circuit. In addition to racing mountain bikes, look for Sara on the road at events like the First Liberty and Fitchburg Longsjo Classic events. When not racing, Sara continues to work as a physical therapist and is active in local bicycle advocacy groups like the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition.

Kathy Sherwin, of Heber City, UT finished 2005 ranked 10th Overall in the Short Track standings and 11th in Cross Country. She also finished 9th in both events at the 2005 National Championships. As a consistent top 10 finisher, Kathy is ready for a spot on the podium this season. In addition to the NORBA schedule, Kathy is a regular on the cyclocross circuit and a crowd favorite at her local Intermountain Cup series where she has won every race for the past two seasons. While Kathy loves the sport of mountain biking, in the winter she is an avid participant of other outdoor activities such as Alpine Skiing and Cross Country Skiing. Kathy has a history of giving back to the cycling community by participating in trail maintenance meetings and group rides whenever she can and has been a member of IMBA for many years. Kathy dedicates as much time as possible to promote mountain biking and racing. She particularly enjoys serving as an ambassador to the sport as she is regularly asked for advice. She also enjoys bringing new members into the sport and promotes awareness of healthy lifestyle associated with cycling. Her previous experience with increasing MS awareness and its treatments will carry to Quick Release Racing's involvement with Muscular Dystrophy and Breast Cancer awareness.

Melanie Meyers, Flagstaff, AZ will join the team as she makes the jump from Expert to Pro this season. She finished 2005 as the top ranked Expert woman in the country. In addition to racing, Melanie is very active in her hometown of Tucson. She regularly involves herself with community events, charity rides, trail maintenance/ building, leading group rides for high school students, and participating in activities with local charity cycling organizations in Tucson. Off the bike, Melanie is completing her undergraduate degree in geography and creative writing from the University of Arizona.

The team is also pleased to announce the addition of Chris Davidson and Chris Magerl, both of Salt Lake City, UT, to serve as mechanic and logistics managers for the team. Chris Davidson is a familiar face for the athletes having worked as a Shimano factory, professional team and national team mechanic for several years. Chris Davidson is also a regular contributor to the Cyclingnews.com web site where his columns are widely read. Chris Magerl is joining the team full-time after working on selected events in 2005. Underneath his easy going, lighthearted demeanor is a person who will leave no details to question for the athletes in 2006.

Ford Cycling has an impressive list of equipment sponsors for 2006. Scott USA will supply the team with mountain and road bikes as well as shoes and clothing. Kenda tires and DT Swiss wheels both join the team as the tire and wheel sponsors. Returning sponsor, SRAM Corporation will equip the bikes with SRAM drive train, RockShox suspension, Avid brakes and Truvativ cranks. Crank Brothers will again supply the team with pedals. Ritchey will supply the posts, stems and bars. Bell Sweep helmets will crown our team kits provided by Squadra US. Support from Inno car racks, Pedros mechanic supplies, Ultimate Support stands and racks and Victory Circle Graphix round out our sponsors for the year.

In addition to racing, the team will align with the Ford sponsorship of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. As a team, they will help to raise awareness for breast cancer detection, treatment and recovery. This message will be added at the already successful series of clinics the team has hosted for the past several years. In addition to breast cancer awareness, the clinics provide an opportunity for beginning to advanced women riders to meet the team and ask questions regarding nutrition, tactics, warm-up, and visualization, and get some tech tips from the team mechanic. Look for the team to continue their other extra-curricular activities such as school safety programs, mentoring young athletes, coaching, and appearances at Ford dealerships around the country.

The team will kick off the season in with a training camp and photo shoot. From there, they begin the quest for top rankings on the NORBA National Mountain Bike Series and World Cup races as well as competing at the Sea Otter Classic and other regional mountain and road events around the US.

You can find more information about the Ford Cycling program on the team website: www.fordcycling.com

2006 team rosters