Rushlee Mae Buchanan of the Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light Wins
New Zealand National Road Race Championship

Photo: Peter Bruggerman

Linden, NJ  (January 14, 2010) -- Rushlee Mae Buchanan of the Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light captured the New Zealand National Road Race Championship on January 9th with a decisive win in the 123-kilometer race.

Buchanan attacked early on, breaking away from the field in the third of eight laps.  By the fourth lap, Buchanan decided, “It was my opportunity to take the race with so both hands, so I put my head down and went for it!”  Buchanan crossed the line with healthy margin of 3:06 over Linda Villumsen.

Sunday’s win represents Buchanan’s 12th national title.  She is New Zealand’s reigning National Criterium Champion and holds numerous other national titles on the road and track.

Buchanan, who turns 22 later this month, started cycling when she was 10. Watching World Champion and fellow New Zealander Sarah Ulmer race the individual pursuit in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney inspired her to take up cycling.  Entering her fourth season as a pro, Buchanan herself now represents New Zealand as a member of the Women’s National Track Team and is training for the World Track Championships in Denmark in March.   Afterwards, she will join her Colavita/Baci teammates in California for the start of the North American road racing season.

“I’m honored to represent New Zealand in every road race this year,” said Buchanan.  “And I look forward to doing the hard yards in the front for my Colavita/Baci teammates.”

 

About the Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light

The taste of victory will be sweet for the Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light.   Led by six-time US National Criterium Champion Tina Pic and former British Olympian Rachel Heal, the team includes US and international champions representing all forms of road racing.

Title sponsor Colavita USA is among the most enduring supporters of US cycling.   In addition to the Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team, the company is a presenting sponsor of the Jamis/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team and supports 14 elite clubs which include more than 350 recreational cyclists in over 20 states across the country.   Colavita also sponsors the Colavita New Jersey U19 Racing Team, the largest junior program on the East Coast.  Bookmark www.TeamColavita.com for news and information about the pro, regional, and junior teams.

Colavita USA imports and distributes the #1 brand of Italian extra virgin olive oil in the US as well as durum wheat semolina pasta, a full selection of balsamic and wine vinegars, and many other fine Italian products.  Visit www.Colavita.com for product information and recipe ideas.

Baci, which means “kiss” in Italian, have sweetened special occasions for nearly 100 years.  Created in Perugia, Italy, the historic home of St. Valentine, the Baci tradition of silky dark chocolate enveloping a creamy blend of chocolate and chopped hazelnuts, crowned with a whole hazelnut, and hugged with a love note remains to this day.  For a kiss from the heart of Italy and information about how chocolate can be part of a healthy lifestyle, visit www.Perugina.com.

Cooking Light is the world’s largest and most trusted food and lifestyle brand—making healthy food taste great, and making healthy living an enjoyable part of our every day.  With a perfect blend of smart nutrition, the freshest ingredients, and easy-to-follow recipes, Cooking Light gives cooks of all skill levels confidence and inspiration in the kitchen.  With diverse lifestyle coverage of fitness, home, travel, health and beauty, Cooking Light helps readers to embrace a healthier life.   Cooking Light is the industry authority for millions who believe that healthy living is an essential ingredient to a happy, fulfilling life.

For the 2010 season, the Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team 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 of Northvale, NJ.  For more information about Jamis, visit www.JamisBikes.com.

The bikes are equipped with SRAM components and Zipp wheels.  Team jerseys and all technical apparel are provided by Giordana; helmets, glasses, and bags are supplied by Rudy Project.   Riders and staff enjoy genuine Italian dining throughout the racing season, courtesy of Olive Garden restaurants.   Additional support is provided by Sutter Home Winery.

Gear and equipment for the Colavita/Baci Women’s Cycling Team are supplied by Ritchey Logic, Vittoria, Bont Cycling Shoes, Profile Design, Selle San Marco, GU Energy, Park Tool, and AB Promotions.   Product sponsors include Detours, Headsweats, K-edge, Muc off, Paceline Products, Patagonia, Raw Revolution, Thule, and Victory Circle Graphix.

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Media Contact:  Susan Gilbert Cohen, Kendal Valley Associates; 973.763.6744, Susan@KendalValley.com