December 23/08 1:11 am - Gillis and Rathwell Join Touchstone Cycling for 2009

Posted by Editoress on 12/23/08
 

Top Northern California Women's Team, Touchstone Cycling, Announces 2009 Roster
Press release

Touchstone Cycling enters the 2009 season with an expanded roster and additional sponsorship. After an impressive 2008 season, Touchstone looks to increase their presence and podium appearances.

Kelly McDonald, 6th in the Mogollon Road Race at Tour of the Gila and 9th overall at Cascades, returns to the team and looks to add to her impressive NRC results. The 2008 Irish National Time Trial Champion, Olivia Dillon, also looks to build on a successful 2008 season, which culminated in her participation in the World Championships in Varese, Italy. Other returning riders include Holly Borowski, Jill McLaughlin, Maria Monica, Pat Ross, and Janeen Thorpe.

Touchstone picked up several highly talented new riders including Sarah Bamberger, who spent the last three years racing for Cheerwine and Beverley Harper, who spent the last two years racing for Webcor. Sarah's contributions to the Cheerwine team amounted to over 75 podiums and 25 wins, along with the NRC team win for 2008. Sarah won five races in 2008, including the prestigious Nevada City Classic and the inaugural Tour de Nez circuit race. Beverley's career highlights include top ten NRC GC finishes and top three NRC Time Trial results. She was 7th in the US Elite Time Trial in 2006 and 2nd at the Masters World Time Trail Championships in 2007. Touchstone expects to benefit greatly from Beverley and Sarah's racing experiences. Other new riders include Kristina Seley, Carol Irving, and fellow Canadians Cara Gillis and Megan Rathwell. This mixture of talented, powerful, and intelligent riders will make for a successful 2009 season.

Touchstone Climbing and Fitness remains the title sponsor, and Wrench Science continues its support of the larger roster. Additional sponsors include Velo Vie, Lezyne, Voler, Clif Bar, Williams Cycling, Fluid, Rudy Project and Psoas Massage + Bodywork.

Touchstone is also proud to continue their support of the National Ataxia Foundation and Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP). In 2008, team contributions from race winnings and personal donations totaled over $3,500 for the National Ataxia Foundation, and the Touchstone women raised over $3,000 for BORP's cycling program, which supports athletes with physical disabilities. Team Roster: Sarah Bamberger, Holly Borowski, Olivia Dillon, Cara Gillis, Beverley Harper, Carol Irving, Megan Rathwell, Kelly McDonald, Jill McLaughlin, Maria Monica, Pat Ross, Kristina Seley, and Janeen Thorpe.