Australian finds a new team after the Pegasus racing debacle
Ben Day has apparently found himself a new team after the collapse of the proposed Pegasus Racing Team. The 32-year-old Australian winner of last year’s San Dimas Stage race is listed as a confirmed rider with US Continental team Kenda p/b Gear Grinder in this year’s event.
Day has ridden the last two years for the Fly V Australia team, around much of which the new Pegasus team was to be built, and was due to become part of what was hoped to become the first ever ProTeam from Australia.
Pegasus was first denied a ProTeam license, then a Professional Continental license, and last week was finally denied a Continental license, effectively putting an end to the team for 2011 at least. The Fly V Australia team has also downsized for this year, with the previously Professional Continental team dropping to Continental level; it’s roster has halved from 16 riders to just eight, and the team name has also dropped the word “Fly”, simply becoming V Australia.
Many of the riders signed to Pegasus have been able to find berths elsewhere, like Robbie McEwen and Robbie Hunter who both signed for RadioShack, but until now Day has not been linked with any others. The San Dimas Stage Race, set to run between March 25th and 27th, has released its start lists for this year’s race, with Day included though, indicating that the Australian has found a new home.
So far there has been no official announcement made by either Day or the team, and he is not yet listed with the International Cycling Union (UCI). With the team receiving an invitation to this year’s Tour of California the recruitment of a rider who has ridden the last four editions of the race, finishing eighth in 2007, makes a lot of sense.
Day also proved in 2010 that he is far from past his best by not only winning the San Dimas Stage Race, but also the Chrono de Gatineau, the Tour de Beauce, and the Redlands Classic.
Kenda p/b Gear Grinder team for San Dimas Stage Race:
Luca Damiani
Ben Day
Phil Gaimon
Chad Hartley
Isaac Howe
Roman Kilun
Shawn Milne
James Stemper