VP of Science and Technology Robert Kunz and VP of Sales and Marketing Mike Fogarty are now on twitter.   Follow the First Endurance founders as they interact with the worlds best cyclists, triathletes and runners.  The founders will post insider ‘tweets’ and ‘twitpics’ while attending the Columbia Pro Cycling Teams training camp in Mallorca Spain next week, then Tour of California, Giro D’Italia, Tour de France and all North American Ironman races.

Mike Fogarty: http://twitter.com/MichaelFogarty

Robert Kunz: http://twitter.com/RobertKunz

We welcome all your questions or comments.

1st Endurance is heading to  the Team Colombia training camp in Mallorca, Spain from January 6-15 to work (and ride) with the team for ten days.  We’ll be posting frequent updates, photos, daily riding details, interviews, etc… here.  If you have questions for any of the guys/girls on the team, post them on the blog and we’ll do our best to get them answered for you.

About Team Columbia

Team Columbia is the number one ranked professional cycling team in the world. They won more races in 2008 than any other team, with 29 different riders winning at least one race - a stunning demonstration of true team work that is a unique attainment in pro cycling. The men’s team won 85 races including six stages in the Tour de France, four stages of the Giro d’Italia and multiple overall tour wins. Team Columbia Women won 69 races and the overall World Cup Series.  

Happy Holidays,

Lance Armstrong announced Monday that he intends to compete in the 2009 Tour de France. Armstrong is currently at the team Astana training camp on Tenerife in the Canary Islands.  More information will be posted shortly.

Price: $21.95
Web site: www.firstendurance.com

First Endurance, the makers of Ultragen and Optygen, also make an unbeatable electrolyte mix. Electrolyte Fuel System (EFS) is packed with all of the right ingredients to provide lasting energy during endurance events.

The bottom line: EFS provides 1,000mg per serving of all five of the essential electrolytes, eliminating the need for additional electrolyte supplements. It is a high glycemic mix of three carbohydrate sources, including glucose and sucrose. It is loaded with 2,000mg of amino acids per serving, including glutamine, leucine, iso-leucine, and valine. And finally, 200 percent RDA of vitamin C. Perhaps best of all, it is available in four delicious flavors that are not so sweet that they leave you craving water. Gluten free too.

Two years in development, the EFS Liquid Shot represents the latest collaboration between First Endurance, consumers like you and the most demanding cyclists in the world. From the state-of-the-art formula down to the eco-friendly packaging, the EFS Liquid Shot is packed with the latest and greatest from First Endurance. Called a liquid shot because it doesn’t contain gelling agents that can slow down absorption and digestion, the EFS features a 400 calorie, 1500mg electrolytes supercharged endurance formula, 1000mg amino acids and 100 grams of simple & complex carbohydrates, all in clinically effective doses. Its easy-to-use packaging is resealable, refillable, and fully recyclable.  Also available in a 32-ounce (6flask) refill container.  First Endurance proudly sponsors: Colombia, Gerolsteiner, Bissell and Astana Pro Teams.

Yaroslav Popovych, a top ten Tour de France and Giro d’Italia finisher, has signed a two-year agreement with the Astana Cycling Team. Starting in January 2009, the Ukrainian cyclist will join Johan Bruyneel’s team, which already includes top Grand Tour riders Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Klöden.

Popovych (Drogobych - January 4th, 1980), a professional since 2002, has spent his career racing for Landbouwkrediet (2002-2004), Discovery Channel (2005-2007) and most recently, Silence-Lotto (2008). During this time, the Ukrainian rider has established himself as one of the most consistent riders in the Grand Tours and stage races.  In his first year at Discovery Channel, Popovych secured the Tour de France’s Best Young Rider jersey, while successfully assisting Armstrong’s quest for a record-setting seventh Tour title.  His Tour de France success continued with a stage win in 2006 and a personal best eighth place overall finish in 2007, while also helping teammate Alberto Contador secure the top honor. Other notable results include two top ten overall finishes in the Giro d’Italia (3rd in 2003, 5th in 2004) and a 1st place finish in the Tour of Catalunya (2005).  Prior to turning professional, Popovych captured the U23 Paris-Roubaix title and the World Road Championship in 2001.

General Manager Johan Bruyneel is quite pleased to have finalized the 2009 roster with another strong rider.  “Over the past few months, we have worked hard to assemble a roster that will build upon the success of the 2008 season.  When I heard that Yaroslav was free, I was immediately interested. He is another cyclist that has proven himself not only as a reliable teammate, but also as a rider that can achieve his personal ambitions.  Though we will discuss his season’s race schedule next month at training camp, we will most likely count on him to support our leaders in the Giro and the Tour.”

Popovych, who recently finished his season at the Six Days of Milan, is looking to 2009 with renewed passion.   “It may have surprised people that I would go to a team that has a number of leaders, however Johan’s organization is the perfect fit for me.  He is one of the few people I know that has successfully been able to manage both individual and team goals. There may be a couple more months till 2009, but I am already looking forward to putting on the Astana Team jersey and racing.”

The members of the 2009 squad:

Lance Armstrong, Assan Bazayev, Jani Brajkovic, Alberto Contador, Valeriy Dmitriyev, Aleksandr Dyachenko, Jesús Hernández, Chris Horner, Maxim Iglinskiy, Roman Kireyev, Andreas Klöden, Berik Kupeshov, Levi Leipheimer, Steve Morabito, Dmitriy Muravyev, Daniel Navarro, Benjamín Noval, Sérgio Paulinho, Yaroslav Popovych, Bolat Raimbekov, Gregory Rast, Sergey Renev, José Luis Rubiera, Michael Schär, Tomas Vaitkus, Andrey Zeits, Haimar Zubeldia.

During the 2008 racing season Contador made changes in his position and saw improvement in his results. “We found a position more evenly spread over the bike and we also changed my handlebar position last time,” commented Contador.  “I noticed the improvement a lot and for that reason I want to continue working on this.”

The work in the wind tunnel will be focused on improving the bike positions as well as provide information for the design a new time trial helmet.

“I go back into the tunnel with a lot of motivation,” continued Contador.  “The race results are usually very close and I think I still have a good margin of improvement available on the time trial bike.”

“This is a different shot.  This puppy delivers a potent 400 calories including 1500mg of electrolytes, 1000mg of amino acids all delivered from a 100% recyclable, resealable flask.  Unlike most gels on the market, this one has no gel agents so your digestion will stay normal and absorption will be fairly rapid.  On top of this, the vanilla flavor is pleasing to the tongue!  Not Available in grocery stores or mass-market retailers.”

Here’s the new EFS Liquid Shot multi-serving container.  It’s 32-ounces and will refill the EFS Liquid Shot flask six (6) times. The container is re-sealable and recycleable. We’re interested in hearing any comments you may have.  Refrigerate after opening.

Thanks,

For the second straight year, Greg Bennett won the Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon and in doing so claimed his second consecutive Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series Toyota Cup.

Bennett’s top time of 1:46:52 earned him a $120,000 payday, $60,000 for the Toyota U.S. Open, and $60,000 for winning the LTF series. Bennett used a race best 55:49 bike and 30:29 run to fend off a tough challenge from early leader American Andy Potts and take a 47-second margin of victory Sunday.  Andy Potts had a strong day as well, taking home second in the Open and the LTF Series with a time of 1:47:29. Stuart Hayes was just 30 seconds back finishing third in the day’s race and in the series.

Bennett’s win also earned him a $60,000 bonus for winning the third annual Life Time Fitness Series Championship comprised of races in Minneapolis, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas. Last year, Bennett ran the table by winning all five events and took home over $500,000 in series wins and bonus money. 

In the Women’s race sponsored Triathletes Sarah Haskins and Laura Bennett took 2nd and 5th respectively. 

Greg Bennett,  Sarah Haskins and Laura Bennett rely on the First Endurance System of products to train and race at the highest level in sports.  ”First Endurance makes the highest quality best products on the market.” explains Greg Bennett.  

1. Greg Bennett (AUS) 1:46:52 
2. Andy Potts (USA) 1:47:29 
3. Stuart Hayes (GBR) 1:47:59 
4. Michael Raelert (GER) 1:48:15 
5. Courtney Atkinson (AUS) 1:48:53 

1. Lisa Norden (SWE) 1:57:30 
2. Sarah Haskins (USA) 1:58:40 
3. Nicola Spirig (SWI) 1:59:31 
4. Sarah Groff (USA) 1:59:49 
5. Laura Bennett (USA) 2:00:01