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PRESS RELEASE - Team Ford-Basis Comes to a Close

By Press Release
Published: Oct. 20, 2005

Team Ford-Basis Comes to a CloseAfter three successful seasons sponsoring the Ford-Basis Women’s cyclingteam, Ford and Basis will be leaving women’s cycling.The team was founded in 2002 as a developmental team aimed at helpingup-and-coming riders progress towards the 2008 Olympics. The team recruitedprimarily top collegiate cyclists. Each season, as the riders adjustedto the professional ranks, the team saw increasing success.  2005saw the team's achievements reach new heights, with the squad earning eightprofessional victories and over 20 podium placings.Said founder Nicole Freedman, “The highlight of the past three yearswas  watching these riders develop from top collegiate riders to someof the brightest prospects on the American cycling scene. It was an amazinggroup of racers and outstanding women."In 2005 alone, the team competed in over 100 UCI and National RacingCalendar races. Two members of the team placed within the top fifteen ofthe individual women's NRC rankings, with Freedman in eighth and ChrissyRuiter 11th. In the NRC team ranking, Ford-Basis ranked fourth out of morethan 90 teams, a truly admirable result considering the youth of the squad."I am sad to see the team come to a close," continued Freedman, "Andyet I know the racers are all poised for exceptional racing careers."Next year, look for Katharine Carroll and Chrissy Ruiter riding in thecolors of team Victory Brewing. Alisha Lion moved to Germany and is lookingto race full-time in Europe, while Freedman and Kele Hulser are still seekingteams in the U.S. Meanwhile, Kristin Johnson will focus on mountain bikingand finishing school, while Lauren Gaffney will be working to start a careerin the law.Ford-Basis riders logged roughly 14,000 miles of racing in their finalyear. Even more dramatically, they traveled nearly seven times that distancewhile criss-crossing the country between events. And they got to know manyoutstanding individuals on their journeys."The true gift was meeting and sharing the team with innumerable generousspirits," Freedman concluded. "This team was made possible by a communityof supporters; volunteers, host famililes,  sponsors, promoters… theyare what this team was always about.“Thank you to all of you that shared in the teams success.Our title sponsors, Ford and Basis (Source Marketing) for seeing the opportunities in and taking a chance on women’s cycling.The myriad host families who put up with our quirky habits.The countless volunteers who not infrequently found themselves using vacationtime to scoop drink mix into bottles so we could have five minutes morerest.Every one of our 31 sponsors who provided us with the highest quality equipment and product and also constant encouragement and guidance.Each one of our donors who provided the extra financial support we needed so that we could attend one more race.The majority of race promoters, whose egalitarianism is unparalleled in most sports.All the racers who always raced with heart and who helped build this team: Heather Albert, Katharine Carroll, Kristin Danielson, Lauren Gaffney, Stephanie Hannos, Kele Hulser, Sarah Konrad, Alisha Lion, Kate Maher, Chrissy Ruiter, Nicki Wangsgaard.Our hundreds (if not billions) of loyal fans who diligently scoured our race reports for a morsel of real news. You all made racing fun and you always provided a great laugh.All the staff who “donated” their time to the team.And the many fans and spectators at the races.Thank you to everyone who has made this team possible.