IonLoop Sponsors Michigan Cycling Team and Starts the Season with a Win

April 5, 2012 - PRLog -- Carrollton, TX, April 4, 2012 – The http://www.ionloop.com/ [IonLoop __title__ IonLoop Ion Magnetic Bracelets] team is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of the Andrie/Machine-Star Junior Road Cycling Team, which seeks to develop junior riders in Michigan and prepare them for Junior Road Nationals in 2012. The Ionloop quickly embraced to opportunity to support the team and help 10 teenage riders to develop character, responsibility and confidence through competitive road cycling.

The opportunity to be involved in this project was presented to IonLoop by Brant Hendler, the team coach and 4-time National Road Cycling Champion. Hendler served on the coaching staff at the University of Colorado, worked with several riders who earned individual collegiate National Championships, and helped coach the team to overall National Championships in 1999 and 2000. His credentials and the team’s potential made this a sponsorship opportunity that IonLoop could not pass up!

The team is made up of 10 riders, both male and female, between the ages of 13 and 18. During the 2012 season, the team will compete at major regional races, the Junior Road Nationals and several local races throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. “Our biggest goal, in terms of road cycling, is to make sure these riders understand the basic principles of racing a bicycle. This includes everything from tactics, to safety, to good sportsmanship” said Hendler, “riders who understand these principles will be better prepared to succeed.”

The Lowell 50 Road Race on March 31st marked the start of the 2012 race season for the West Michigan Coast Riders/ Andrie, Inc. Junior Development Cycling Team. Much like the spring classics raced in Europe the Lowell 50 race route featured several dirt sections.  Luke Harvitt, 18, out of Grand Haven, MI was the only entrant this weekend since the majority of the team headed off for warmer riding weather while on spring-break.

Luke rode his bike to near perfection in the 28 mile race as he found himself in the lead group after the field of 128 riders narrowed itself down to a small group of approximately 15-20 riders.  The uphill finish played out perfectly as Luke lead the group through the Historic Fallasburg Covered Bridge and up the final climb to the finish.

IonLoop congratulates the Coach Hendler, Luke, and the Andrie/Machine-Star Junior Road Cycling Team on a great start to the season!