Raleigh-Clement Cyclocross Team sets roster for the 2014 Season

KENT, Wash. (July 26, 2013) — Raleigh Bicycles and Clement Cycling have joined together once again for their third year as partners to announce their 2014 Raleigh-Clement cyclocross team roster. Returning athletes Ben Berden, Caroline Mani, Craig Etheridge and Allen Krughoff are poised to sweep the nation again this CX season. Rebecca Gross and Jared Nieters will be joining the team.

The team kicked off their 2013 American cyclocross season at Raleigh’s third annual Midsummer Nights CX Race at DealerCamp last night with three podium finishes. Mani took first place in the elite women’s category and Berden took third place in the men’s elite behind Carl Decker and Johnathan Page. Craig Etheridge took first place in the singlespeed 3/4 division. Although finishing in fourth place and sixth place overall, Raleigh-Clement newcomers Gross and Nieters were the first women’s and men’s elite riders, without a contract, to cross the finish line last night, earning them each a spot on the team for the 2013-2014 season.

With their contracts, Gross and Nieters will receive Raleigh’s top-end cyclocross race bike, the RXC Pro Disc and backup frameset, two Raleigh team kits and $1,500 for entry fees and travel for a total sponsorship package valued at $10,950.

“Last season the team had some great results and went head to head with the worlds best cross racers, coming out on top,” said Donn Kellogg, team director of Raleigh-Clement. “I’m excited to what these athletes have in store for the coming season and excited to Welcome Rebecca and Jared to the team.”

This 2014 season, the Raleigh-Clement team will be traveling coast-to- coast, competing in more than 35 races including Cross Vegas, the U.S. Gran Prix series, the Cross After Dark series, and many other top events.

With more than 15 years of experience, Berden is back for his second year of cross racing in the United States. Last season Berden performed with excellent results including, nearly a dozen top-five finishes, a first place finish at the Cross After Dark Series and ended his season with a fourth-place overall standing in the U.S. Prix of Cyclocross.

Mani is back for her third seasons with the Raleigh-Clement Cyclocross Team. She kicked off the season last night at the Midsummer Nights race with a 1st place finish in the women’s elite race, claiming a cash purse of $1500. The Frenchwoman emerged onto the U.S. scene in 2011 and quickly became a favorite with many top place finishes. Last season Mani’s season started slowly, but as the season progressed, Mani gained traction with a pair of third-place finishes at the U.S. Gran Prix finals and a fourth-place finish at the French National Championships. These accomplishments were all done while completing her university degree and interning in the marketing department at Crank Brothers.

Single-speed specialist and viral sensation, Etheridge is back for another year of racing and another season of “Hot Laps With Craig”. With an impressive season last year, Etheridge won 17 races, which crowned him the overall leader of the U.S. Gran Prix. While not on the cross circuit, Etheridge is also a professional bike messenger and two- time winner of the coveted Messenger World Championships.

Krughoff, who initially earned his post on the team by finishing as the top privateer at the Raleigh Midsummer Nights CX last July, is back for his second year of racing. The 30-year old from Boulder Colo. produced steady results last year with eight, top-10 finishes and a career-best national ranking.

Just like Krughoff, Gross and Nieters are both privateer winners from Raleigh’s Midsummer Nights CX from this past DealerCamp event. This will be their first season with Raleigh-Clement. Both are very excited to join the team, as is everyone from Raleigh and the Raleigh-Clement team.

Midsummer Nights Race Results:
Elite Women’s
1. Caroline Mani, Raleigh-Clement 2. Amanda Carey, Stan’s NoTubes 3. Erica Zaveta, Redline
4. Rebecca Gross, Raleigh-Clement
Elite Men’s
1. Carl Decker, Giant Bicycles 2. Jonathan Page, Fuji/Competitive Cyclist 3. Ben Berden, Raleigh-Clement 4. Allen Krughoff, Raleigh-Clement 5. Justin Lindine, Redline 6. Jared Nieter, Raleigh-Clement
For more about Raleigh Bicycles, visit: www.RaleighUSA.com.

About Raleigh Bicycles:
Raleigh Bicycles offers a broad spectrum of bicycles including road, mountain, cyclocross, and commuter for all ages and abilities. Raleigh focuses on supporting the commuter, the family and local cycling, and partners with numerous non-profits around the U.S. each year to help grow the sport, including Ride2Recovery. Raleigh also sponsors Raleigh UK and Raleigh/Clement competitive cycling teams.

Media Contact:
Lauren Fallert
Verde PR
lfallert@verdepr.com
970-259-3555 x3