Cycling News | Verizon U-25 Cycling Team

Verizon Wireless, America’s largest wireless service provider, has thrown their support behind a new Midwest-based under 25 Men’s team for 2010, the Verizon u25 Team powered by ABD. The ABD Cycle Club stepped in as the team’s presenting sponsor, bringing along their proven track record of developing young talent. The team is based out of the Chicago area and in 2010 features an 8-man roster: Ryan Freund, Waylon Janowiak, Luca Lenzi, John Meyers, Will Nowak, Danny Robertson, Mike Sherer and Hogan Sills. Mike Ebert comes on from ABD to direct the team.

In addition to their financial support, Verizon brings their extensive wireless data network to the table. Team members have been equipped with Motorola Droids to stay connected and document their season, and the team will also have Verizon’s MiFi devices to create a wireless data hotspot at races they attend— providing access for riders, spectators and race officials.

Verizon has supported a successful Master’s team for the past two seasons and continues to do so in 2010. Master’s team captain Mark Swartzendruber is excited for the addition of the young talent, “It’s been a goal of mine along with [team founder] Billy Dwyer to use the backing Verizon has given us to develop talented young riders and give them the support they need to reach their best potential in this beautiful sport. Partnering with ABD and Mike Ebert is the ideal situation for us in this endeavor as they bring a great deal of experience and quality into the fold.”

The ABD Cycle Club helped to send 12 riders to the pro ranks over the past seven years, including current Kelly Benefit Strategies riders Reid Mumford and Bissel captain Frank Pipp, and young ABD standout Jessica Prinner represented the U.S. at the Junior World Championships in Moscow last year.

The Verizon u25 p/b ABD is also proud to give back to the community through their support of the XXI Century Kids First Foundation. XXI Century Kids First is dedicated to developing and implementing kids’ self-esteem and nutritional programs. The team plans to assist at after school programs in the Chicago area.

Team sponsors include Prairie Path Cycles, Trek, VIO-POV cameras, Button Hole chamois cream, Serfas, Pactimo Clothing, EJ’s Place and Podium Financial Services.

Stay tuned to the team’s Twitter feed @vzwU25cycling for the latest updates, including details on race-day MiFi access, and become a fan of the team at Facebook.com/VerizonU25Cycling.

The Verizon Cycling Team powered by ABD is a team established to support athletes with the potential to succeed at the local, national, and international level and promote a healthy, active lifestyle to children and young adults through a partnership with the 21st Century Kids First Foundation.

After multiple state championships, numerous podium finishes, and a season worth of wins weʼre looking to take our experience in running successful Pro Development, Women & Masters teams to begin supporting a development program for “U25” riders: aspiring athletes aged 17 to 25 with the potential to make the jump to the professional and Olympic ranks.

We are confident that not only will we develop the United States’ premier athletes of the future, but a team of this caliber competing in the Midwest will provide our sponsors with over 65 million impressions in 2010. Furthermore, a team built upon a young demographic presents Verizon with an unparalleled athlete partnership as our young riders will be constantly promoting their sponsors along with their own success through Verizonʼs phones, netbooks, MiFiʼs and of course, the nationʼs largest and most reliable wireless network.