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Media Contact: Susan Gilbert Cohen; Susan@KendalValley.com; 973.763.9197
Alejandro Borrajo of the Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team to Represent Argentina in Olympic Road Race
Alejandro BorrajoLinden, NJ (August 4, 2008) Alejandro Borrajo of the Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light will represent his native Argentina in the road race at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
“Every athlete dreams about going to the Olympic Games,” said Borrajo. “It’s the greatest sporting event in the world.” He continued, “It’s very exciting for me and my family. Only a few people ever get this chance.”
Recognized as one of the most versatile cyclists, Borrajo’s strength and endurance for climbing coupled with a powerful sprint will serve him well for the event. Scheduled for August 9th, the 245.4-kilometer race, considered to be among the most difficult in Olympic history, begins at the Yongdingmen Gate and incorporates many of Beijing’s most historic landmarks, including the Temple of Heaven, Tian’anmen Square, and the Lama Temple. The race concludes with a hilly 23.8km circuit between Badaling and Juyong Pass.
Borrajo finished 2nd in the Argentinean National Road Race Championships in 2007 and has represented his home country in numerous international events, including the South American Championships, which he won in 2006, the Pan American Championships, and Road World Championships in Italy and Spain. His #2 standing in the 2007 UCI America ranking earned him a spot on Argentina’s 2008 Olympic squad.
Borrajo arrived in the US after six years of racing in Europe, where he achieved seven top 10 finishes at the Giro D’Italia and other world-class events racing with Italian pro teams Miche and Panaria. Currently in his first year racing with the Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team, Borrajo is enjoying his most successful season since making his debut on the pro circuit in 2003. He started the year with a 3rd place finish in the prologue of the UCI 2.2 Tour de San Luis in Argentina and has gone on to capture seven victories, including the prestigious Redlands Bicycle Classic and US cycling’s biggest prize purse at the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium, three additional podium appearances, and more than 10 top 10 finishes.
Unlike other professional athletes who leave friends and family behind to train and compete, Borrajo believes childhood bonds and the motivation to continue the cycling legacy of his family have been important factors in his success. Borrajo, 28, has been riding competitively since he was 16 when he left home to train with his older brother. After racing for a season with Rite-Aid, Borrajo signed with Colavita/Sutter Home where his childhood friend Sebastian Alexandre is Director Sportif. Borrajo, in turn, recruited his younger brother Anibal to join the team after racing successfully in Spain. Both Borrajo brothers have re-signed with Colavita/Sutter Home for the 2009 racing season. In Beijing, Borrajo will race with another childhood friend, Juan Jose Haedo, who made his North American debut in Colavita colors back in 2002 and now races for Team CSC.
About the sponsors of the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light
Cycling is more than a sport for the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light. It’s a heritage, passed down from generation to generation. Colavita/Sutter Home champions cycling’s future through support of pro men’s and women’s teams; the Colavita New Jersey U19 Racing Team, the largest junior cycling team on the East Coast; as well as recreational cycling clubs in 9 states, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas. Visit www.ColavitaSutterHome.com to learn more.
Colavita USA imports and distributes the #1 brand of Italian extra-virgin olive oil in the U.S. as well as durum wheat semolina pasta, a full selection of balsamic and wine vinegars, and many other fine Italian products. A family-owned business headquartered in Linden, NJ, Colavita has championed the sport of cycling throughout its 25+-year history. Through its charitable arm, the Colavita Foundation for Children, the company provides bicycles and helmets to children in need. To learn more about Colavita USA, please visit www.Colavita.com.
Sutter Home Winery is wholly owned and operated by the Trinchero family, Napa Valley vintners since 1948. The company produces the wines of Sutter Home, Trinchero, Montevina, Wild Bunch, Trinity Oaks, Folie à Deux, Ménage à Trois, Napa Cellars, the number one alcohol-removed wine, Fre, and imports Angove’s, Reynolds Vineyards and Little Boomey wines of Australia. For more information, visit www.tfewines.com.
Founded in 1987, Cooking Light (www.cookinglight.com/cooking) is the world’s largest food magazine. Each month, more than 11 million consumers turn to Cooking Light to “eat smart, be fit and live well.” CookingLight.com provides daily food and fitness updates, healthy recipes and nutrition advice to millions of unique visitors every year.
For the 2008 season, the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light will be riding Jamis super-light Xenith SL road frames and the revolutionary Xenith T2 time trial bikes supplied by Jamis Bicycles, designed and marketed by the G. Joannou Cycle Company (GJC) of Northvale, NJ. Established in 1937 by the father of CEO and President Carine Joannou, GJC ranks among the largest bicycle companies under private ownership in the US. For more information about Jamis and to view the complete line of bicycles, please visit www.JamisBikes.com.
The bikes are fully equipped with Shimano components, wheels, shoes, and pedals, Easton handlebars, stems, and seat posts, Fizik saddles, Vittoria tires, and TRP Brake levers for time trial bikes. Team jerseys are provided by Giordana; helmets, glasses, and bags are supplied by Rudy Project. Additional sponsors of the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light include American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Dominator Clothing, GU Sports, and Headsweats.
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