After a couple of dry years amongst the pro ranks, SRAM and their RED eTap technology are starting to see more adoption with a host of professional international teams.
For 2016 SRAM will support a diverse group of international athletes including top riders such as Alexander Kristoff (NOR), Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP), Lizzie Armitstead (GBR), Lisa Brennauer (GER), Megan Guarnier (USA), Romain Bardet (FRA), Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA), Alexis Vuillermoz (FRA), and many more.
Pro teams supported by SRAM for 2016 are: Team KATUSHA (RUS), AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA), CANYON//SRAM Racing Team (GER), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team (NED), Drapac Professional Cycling (AUS), Team Wiggins (GBR), Team Roompot Oranje Peloton (NED), Axeon Haegens Berman Cycling Team (USA), Cylance Pro Cycling (NOR), Rally Pro Cycling (USA) women’s and men’s teams, and TWENTY16 RideBiker Pro Cycling (USA).
These outstanding male and female athletes will use SRAM REACHADJUST™ equipped ergonomic shifters, YAW™ front shifting, and optional WIFLI™ wide range cassettes and rear derailleurs to compete in the toughest races in the world including the Grand Tours, the Spring Classics, the Amgen Tour of California, and many other elite races around the world.
TEAM KATUSHA
With teammates Alexander Kristoff and Joaquim Rodriguez, this number two ranked WorldTour team is poised to achieve Grand Tour stage wins and success in the Spring Classics.
Frames: Canyon Ultimate CF SLX, Aeroad CF SLX and Speedmax CF SLX
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Wheels: Zipp Firecrest 202, 303, 404, 808, 808 NSW, and Super 9 Disc
Power: SRAM RED Quarq
Website: teamkatusha.com
AG2R LA MONDIALE
After two mountain stage wins in the 2015 Tour de France, including the first Tour stage win ever on a wireless electronic groupset, AG2R LA MONDIALE is poised to have another great year.
Frames: Focus Izalco Max and Izalco Chrono Max
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Wheels: Zipp Firecrest 202, 303, 404, 808, 808 NSW, and Super 9 Disc
Bars, stems: Zipp Service Course SL bars and stems, and SL Sprint stems
Aerobars: Zipp Vuka Bull, Alumina Clip and Zipp Vuka extensions
Power: SRAM RED Quarq
Website: cyclisme.ag2rlamondiale.fr
CANYON//SRAM Racing Team
This team consists of the winners of the 2015 Team Time Trial World Championship and they are looking to repeat that achievement this season. You can also expect more than a few 2016 classic and road stage race wins from this powerful women’s squad.
Frames: Canyon Ultimate CF SLX, Aeroad CF SLX and Speedmax CF SLX
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Wheels: Zipp Firecrest 202, 303, 404, 808, 808 NSW, and Super 9 Disc
Power: SRAM RED Quarq
Website: wmncycling.com
BOELS-DOLMANS CYCLING TEAM
With reigning Road World Champion Lizzie Armitstead and Road U.S. National Champion Megan Guarnier leading this fast team, Boels-Dolmans Cyling Team is set to make waves in the newly minted UCI Women’s WorldTour.
Frames: Specialized S-Works Amira and S-Works Shiv
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Wheels: Zipp Firecrest 202, 303, 404, 808, 808 NSW, and Super 9 Disc
Bars, stems, seatposts: Zipp Service Course SL bars, stems and seatposts, and Zipp SL Sprint stems
Extensions: Zipp Vuka
Power: Quarq for Specialized
Website: boelsdolmanscyclingteam.com
DRAPAC PROFESSIONAL CYCLING
With Aussie sprinter William Clarke and a powerful lead out team working for him, Drapac is a threat to win any race ending in a bunch sprint.
Frames: SwiftCarbon Ultravox TI and Carbon Neurogen
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Wheels: Zipp Firecrest 202, 303, 404, 808, 808 NSW, and Super 9 Disc
Bars, stems: Zipp Service Course SL bars and stems, and Zipp SL Sprint stems
Power: SRAM RED Quarq
Website: drapaccycling.com
TEAM WIGGINS
Led by Sir Bradley Wiggins, this British development team is built to challenge both the road and the track in races across the UK, but is primarily focused on earning Olympic gold in Rio this summer.
Frames: Pinarello Dogma and Il Bolide
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Wheels: Zipp Firecrest 202, 303, 404, 808, 808 NSW, and Super 9 Disc
Website: teamwiggins.co
TEAM ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON
Based out of the Netherlands, and led by veteran racer Johnny Hoogerland, expect this team to make heroic breakaways as they attack to win.
Frames: Isaac Element SL Disc and Isaac Muon
Components: SRAM RED® HRD
Bars, stems, seatposts: Zipp Service Course SL
Aerobars: Zipp Vuka Bull, Alumina Clip and Zipp Vuka extensions
Power: SRAM RED Quarq
Website: teamroompot.nl
AXEON HAEGENS BERMAN CYCLING TEAM
Led by Team Manager and seasoned former pro Axel Merckx, this U23 development team is one to watch for the next generation of cycling stars including Greg Daniel, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Logan Owen, and Daniel Eaton.
Frames: Specialized S-Works Tarmac, Venge and Shiv
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Wheels: Zipp Firecrest 202, 303, 404, 808, 808 NSW, and Super 9 Disc
Bars, stems, seatposts: Zipp Service Course SL
Aerobars: Zipp Vuka Bull, Alumina Clip and Zipp Vuka extensions
Power: SRAM RED Quarq
Website: 2016.axeoncycling.com
TWENTY16 RIDEBIKER PRO CYCLING
Young phenom and reigning Junior World TT and Road Champion Chloe Dygert and multiple Olympic Gold Medal winner Kristin Armstrong are at the heart of this powerhouse team. Also be sure to keep an eye on Allie Dragoo and Alison Jackson as they prepare with the rest of the TWENTY16 team for the upcoming summer Olympics.
Frames: Felt F & AR series, and DA TT
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Wheels: Zipp Firecrest 202, 303, 404, 808, 808 NSW, and Super 9 Disc
Bars, stems, seatposts: Zipp Service Course SL bars and stems, and Zipp SL Speed seatposts
Aerobars: Zipp Vuka Bull, Alumina Clip and Zipp Vuka extensions
Tires: Zipp Tangente Speed, Zipp Tangente Speed R28
Power: SRAM RED Quarq
Website: teamtwenty16.com
CYLANCE PRO CYCLING
Led by Alison Tetrick and Shelley Olds, this new team has the talent and experience required to bring home road race wins.
Frames: Cannondale EVO, Synapse, and SLICE
Components: SRAM RED®, SRAM RED® eTap
Bars, stems, seatposts: Zipp Service Course SL
Website: cylanceprocycling.com
RALLY PRO CYCLING WOMEN’S AND MEN’S CYCLING TEAMS
This large team not only has power in numbers, it has power in watts from Tom Zirbel, Eric Young, and Jesse Anthony on the men’s side of the team and Jasmin Glaesser, Elle Anderson, and Erica Allar on the women’s side. Expect this team to be a threat for a win in any classic race.
Frames: Diamondback Podium and Serios
Components: SRAM RED®
Power: SRAM RED Quarq
Website: optumprocycling.com
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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