JAN 19TEAM JUST-ROCK N ROAD CYCLERY
JAN 19TEAM JUST-ROCK N ROAD CYCLERY
Specialized and Rock N Road Cyclery will support a MTB team of two men for the 2005 season. The Specialized-Rock N Road Team-Sonance already has one of the best master road teams in America and decided to support Johnny OMara, a road team member, and Ty Kady, a new signee for 2005. Rock N Road Cyclery has two locations in Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel that are both involved in the road and mountain biking team efforts. Rock N Roads will run the MTB and road teams as separate entities. This allows each team to focus on their individual racing disciplines.
Johnny OMara is no stranger to winning. He has been at both the top of motocross as well as mountain bike racing. OMara, a current Masters National XC Champion aged 40-44, has been dominating the mountain bike scene for the past few years. He often posted times that were competitive with semipro and pro divisions. OMara splits his time between mountain and road this year, so he will be a major factor whenever he takes a ride on a bike.
Ty Kady, a somewhat unknown X-factor has made a lot of people’s heads since he entered the XC racing scene a few year ago. The former AMA 250 motocross privateer caught the attention of OMaras after he won the California Am Cup and Sea Otter Classic XC titles. Kady and OMaras have teamed up for 2005.
THE POWERS THAT BE
This is a fascinating twist of fate, how these two met and ended up riding together for the Specialized Rock N Road MTB team. Canyon Cycles, OMaras long-time frame sponsor, had some commitment issues and the Oshow was left looking for a ride. Kady, on the other side, was finishing his Trek-Jax Bicycle Center Contract and was looking for a new start. Ernie Martin, Trek VWs’ marketing head, made a verbal commitment to the pair through OMaras industry contacts, and race palmares. The two were to ride in 2005 for the Trek west coast regional team. After the pair had settled in to order their bike and clothing for the season, Martin informed them that Kady would be out of the loop due to budget constraints. OMara was firm in his commitment to Ty being on the Trek team, and he refused the Trek regional deal. After negotiations fell apart, OMara was true to his word and Kady began looking for other options.
Johnny has used Rock N Road Cyclery for his cycling needs since childhood. After talks with Mark Hoffenberg, Sonance’s road team captain, and Rock N Road owners, the platform was created for them to start their own satellite XC club. OMara brings a list of top industry companies to the table and will support him and Kady in 2005. Manitou will supply Specialized-RNR with forks, while Oakley will provide eyewear. Cytomax will take care of nutritional needs, and Shimano will handle all components. Serfas will provide saddles, pumps and grips for the two of them. To complete a powerful lineup, negotiations are ongoing with key sponsors.
SPECIALIZED RNR WINS FIRST RACE IN THE SEASON
The Southridge Winter Series got off to a quick start with Ty Kady and Johnny OMara winning the first round. Complete dominance was displayed by OMara, who not only won the Masters 40-44.2 division but also posted the fastest time out of all classes. He beat a number of semipro riders by more than 10 minutes. Teammate Ty Kady won Expert 27-34 and posted the second fastest time overall. This is a sign of the 2005 season. The two seem to have found the right combination of industry support and training to be a significant factor.
Rock N Road Cyclery can be reached at 859-5076. The number to Johnny Os Laguna Niguel’s hometown is 360-8045.
*Ty Kady is the proud owner of his first Southridge Trophy. Since 2003, Kady has been a dominant force in Southridge.
