Cannondale to co-sponsor Team Sho-Air, combine with CFR
Originally posted on November 7, 2012 at 11:38 am
By Mike Cushionbury, photos by J. Andres Vargas.
Cannondale is taking over as sponsor for California-based Team Sho-Air, replacing long-time co-sponsor Specialized, effective immediately. Sho-Air rider Pua Mata (above) and current Cannondale Factory Racing pilot Alex Grant (below) were both competing in Costa Rica’s three-day La Ruta de Los Conquistadores in new, matching Sho-Air/Cannondale team kits last week. Mata rode a Cannondale Scalpel 29 to an Elite women’s class win while Grant rode his F29 hardtail to a solid second overall placing.
This move will combine both Sho-Air and the American arm of CFR under one umbrella, meaning Grant, Tinker Juarez, and Jeremiah Bishop will be joining Mata, Eric Bostrom and team manager/ride Ty Kady, among others, on Sho-Air/Cannondale. Cannondale will also likely replace Specialized as sponsor of the Sho-Air supported US Cup series for 2013.
Bishop, who has been focusing on endurance racing the last few years told Dirt Rag he will be shifting to US Cup and Pro XCT series cross-country racing next year and filling in his schedule with marathon and stage races when he can.
The official team introduction is scheduled for mid November.