To date, Dr. Gross has raised over $265,000 for the multiple sclerosis (MS) cause. He has no family members with the disease, but he has seen its affects in his patients and wants to do what he can to see a cure for MS.

If you would like to learn more or support this great cause, please visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with him and his family during this time.

Send your best wishes to Ryan by clicking here.

The young riders that will join the peloton include the likes of Jackie Kurth (2006 Junior National RR Champion) and Jacquelyn Crowell (5-time Junior National Champion).

Returning team sponsors include Kenda USA, Blue Competition Bicycles, Vergesport, Rudy Project, LH Thomson, LifeSport PT, CycleOps, Ferguson and Associates, Full Speed Ahead, Sigma Sport, Zipp Speed Weaponry, Timbuk2, Elete, SportCrafters, Terry Precision Cycling, Richard Weiss Company, Inc., Headsweats, Deen-Gross Eye Centers, and Purple Extreme.

New team sponsors for the 2008 racing season include The Allen Group and their Dallas Logistics Hub in addition to Plant Solutions. All 2008 NRC Elite Team bicycles will be SRAM Force equipped.

Team Kenda Tire will continue grooming riders in 2008 with a brawny contingent of developmental and regional riders which will represent the brand at the local levels.

Team Kenda Tire 2008
Kat Clark, Savannah, GA
Jacquelyn Crowell, Gainesville, FL
Debbie Dust, Chicago, IL (*)
Lee Farabaugh, Birmingham, AL
Anne Guzman, Carlisle, Ontario, CAN (*)
Kristin Keim, Athens, GA
Jackie Kurth, Palm City, FL
Amy McGuire, Somerville, MA
Andrea Myers, Westport, CT (**)
Yukie Nakamura, Los Altos, CA
Catherine Walberg, Topeka, KS (**)
Kristin Wentworth, Madison, WI (*)
(* Returning)
(**Team members in 2006)

This sponsorship agreement signals the strong commitment that Sigma Sport USA has for the sport of cycling and specifically reaches out to the women’s segment of the market. Team Kenda Tire will endorse Sigma Sport USA in all their marketing materials and team uniforms during the sponsorship term.

The women were excited about the sponsorship renewal and look forward to the continued alliance. Allison Carter welcomed the announcement adding that she’s been using Sigma Sport for years and has never had any complications. “It’s a very reliable product and easy to use. I use Sigma on all of my bikes-Road, TT, and Mountain Bike!”

Alissa Cover, stated – “I love my Sigma Sport wireless cyclometer! It was easy to install, is easy to use, and makes cleaning the bike after a salty ride really easy with no pesky wires.”

Kristen Meshberg says that she loves her Sigma lighting system because “It provides clarity and security for night riding.”

The team’s extensive National Racing Calendar (NRC), as well as regional and off-road racing schedule, warrants a product with four-season performance and reliability. As the product name implies, we have found Purple Extreme unrivaled in extreme conditions.

Corie Berrigan, a winner of multiple road races and current Illinois State Cyclocross Champion, added that “Purple Extreme keeps my drive train quiet, clean & protected on the road or trails in any season.”

Paul Forsythe, Team Director, equally excited about the sponsorship, stated that, “It is a godsend product for race mechanics. I have supported entire stage races without any concern for cleaning or lubing chains.”

Compared to other products used in the past, team member Melissa Cover summarized it nicely by saying “Purple Extreme works great and smells good too!”