The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis is proud to announce that it will contest the 2011 season aboard Boardman Bikes.

“We’ve entered into a partnership with Boardman for the 2011 season, and we hope to make this the beginning of a long-term partnership that will be beneficial both for the Team and for Boardman Bikes,” said Team President Thierry Attias.

The Company’s co-founder and namesake is Chris Boardman, the 1992 Olympic time trial champion, 1994 World time trial champion and winner of three stages of the Tour de France. He also set the Hour Record in 1996. The Company’s other co-founder and CEO, Alan Ingarfield, is a former UK Ironman record holder.

“We’re very excited to enter into this partnership with Momentum Sports Group and the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team,” stated Ingarfield. “From the start, it has been our goal to see our bikes raced at the highest level and it forms a milestone in our evolution as a world-class bicycle brand. We are particularly happy with this union – they share our passion, vision and have demonstrated a real commitment to create a Pro Continental team with ambition, desire and the funding to become one of the world’s foremost cycling teams.”

Throughout his career, Chris Boardman earned a reputation for being meticulous in his preparation and technical knowledge, helping to design time trial bikes for particular competitions. He has carried his obsession, pedigree and experience into work with his own company, which have been fundamental in developing the company’s bikes and helping secure Olympic Gold and multiple World, European and National Championship titles won across the Road, Triathlon and MTB disciplines.

“With Team UnitedHealthcare stepping up to Continental Professional for 2011, they give us a platform here in Europe, but also a fantastic entry into the North American market,” Boardman added. “They’ve been one of the top teams in the U.S. for some time, and they’ve earned a reputation for professionalism both on and off the bike. We’re all looking forward to helping the Team achieve its goals and aspirations as it grows toward the Pro Tour level.”

For 2011, the Team will ride the all-new Elite SLR (Superlight Racing) and Elite AiR (Aerodynamic Racing) road frames and the latest Elite AiR/TT time trial frame.

“The Team will be issued our soon-to-be-released 2011 Elite Series of bikes,” Boardman highlighted. “These frames have been designed and tested using techniques refined over 20 years of involvement in cutting edge bike technology. We have in-depth knowledge, first-hand experience and understanding of frame design – from the selection of the best composites for desired outcome, right down to the choice of high performance resin – these frames are both the result and proof of our expertise in all areas.

“Although, we’re excited about where we are with our 2011 products, if there’s one thing I have learnt, it’s that high performance is a journey not a destination,” Boardman added. “And that’s why we want to be involved with such a leading team, so we can utilise their feedback in our innovation process. That collaboration will start in a wind tunnel in California, where we’ll listen to the guys’ feedback and work together to keep that creative process going, ensuring our bikes are even better and that the Team always have the very best tools for the job.”

“Our focus with this Team was to build it to win on an ever-widening stage, and especially the Amgen Tour of California,” said Team Director Mike Tamayo. “To do that, we’ve not only been looking to sign quality riders, but also to partner with quality sponsors. When we looked at potential bike partners, we immediately saw the advantage in a company like Boardman Bikes.

“They build super-light carbon bikes and technologically advanced time trial machines,” Tamayo continued. “Just as important, we could see how, for instance, Chris Boardman could help our riders get back time in the time trials of the Amgen Tour, or help new signing Scott Zwizanski reach the top step of the U.S. Time Trial Championships. Just having his expertise will prove invaluable for our riders.”