FOCUS Izalco Team Katusha: the Official Team Bike.

FOCUS and Katusha are starting into the season 2011 New year Рnew bike: From now on the ProTour team Katusha is on the move with its new bike from FOCUS. The professionals in the team around top cyclist Filippo Pozzato and Joaquin Rodriguez have already completed several training miles with the new Focus Izalco Team Katusha. Now it is time for a first wrap up by Liaison Manager Martin B̦ckelmann, who is the responsible person at FOCUS for material and technical issues for team Katusha.

“The riders already experienced first handling impressions during the training camp in Calpe (Spain) in December”

said Böckelmann and describes the reactions of the riders,

“Sergei Ivanov and our Russian champion Alex Kolobnev, to name only two, are very satisfied and enthusiastic about the great quality. The Sprinters enjoy the fantastic power transmission and surely after the first long races the riders will appreciate the balanced and comfortable seating position.”

The first major joint appearance of the Russian ProTour team and the German bicycle manufacturer took place on January, 16th 2011 in Australia at the Santos Tour Down Under where first UCI points can be gained. Furthermore FOCUS will be represented at Joaquin Rodriguez, Sergey Ivanov and Filippo the Santos Tour Down Under as a corporate sponsor.

“The Santos Tour Down Under is the first race of the season, where traditionally sprinters impressed with their skills. The first highlight of the season will be the spring classics”

said Böckelmann and then counts on strengths of the spring-specialists and all-rounder among the Katusha riders like Filippo Pozzato, Leif Hoste, Sergey Ivanov and Luca Paolini. As further strong riders within the team highlights Böckelmann Daniel Moreno (mountain specialist) and obviously Joaquin Rodriguez (UCI world rankings number one in 2010) from the 30-member squad of Katusha.

The official team presentation took place on January, 26th in Moscow. The official team bike has already been presented by the cyclists at the photo shoot and will be available from spring, both, as the original team bicycle and as a replica version (specifications and prices coming soon).

Components partners of FOCUS and Team Katusha:
3T Fork
Continental Tubes
Garmin Training computer
FSA Handlebar, stem and seat post
Look Pedals
Prologo Saddle
SRAM Shifting system, bottom bracket and brakes
Vision Wheelset

For further information about FOCUS sponsoring engagement at the ‘Santos Tour Down Under’ please click ‘news’ at www.focus-bikes.com