PHILADELPHIA (November 24, 2010) - Kestrel Bicycles is pleased to announce its sponsorship of professional triathlete, Andy Potts, an Ironman 70.3 Champion and 2004 Olympian. Having won everything from sprints to Ironman distance tris, Potts brings a world of experience to Kestrel.
Potts began his competitive career as a swimmer at the University of Michigan where he was a 6-time NCAA All-American. In his first season as a pro, Potts was awarded USAT Rookie of the Year - he still holds the record as the only athlete to break into the Top 100 World rankings as a rookie.
In 2004, Potts earned a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team; in 2005, he won his first World Cup; and in 2006, he was ranked 6th in the ITU World Cup rankings. In 2007, he became the 70.3 Ironman Champion.
Potts, 34, is best known as a first-out-of-the-water competitor. He is a powerhouse on the bike in part due to his 6'2" stature. A strong, consistent athlete, Potts aims to again make the Olympic team as well as win the Hawaii Ironman.
Currently residing and training in Colorado Springs, Potts is married to Lisa Simes, a Cirque du Soleil performer, and has a son, Boston, and daughter, Sloane.
"I'm extremely excited to start riding my new Kestrel," Potts explained. "Kestrel's expertise and passion for bikes, aerodynamics and speed are invaluable to me as an athlete. I am more motivated than ever."
"I'm really excited to have Andy race for Kestrel," said Steven Harad, Kestrel Brand Manager. "Andy has an incredible drive to succeed that mirrors Kestrel's goal to produce the best bike in the world."
"I fully expect to see Andy and his Kestrel 4000 on many podiums this year and look forward to working with him for years to come. And after that, I'm signing his son," Harad joked.
Potts' first race on his Kestrel 4000 will be the 2010 Ironman Cozumel on November 28th where he will join other Kestrel athletes Dede Greisbauer and Michael Lovato, who are also racing.
About Kestrel / Advanced Sports, Inc.:
Operating since 1987, Kestrel Bicycles is a brand of high-end carbon road and triathlon bikes, owned and operated by Advanced Sports International (ASI). ASI is a privately held corporation located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with distributors in more than 50 countries. Operating in the U.S. through the specialty bicycle retailer network (SBR), ASI markets a full line of high performance and recreational bicycles under four distinct brands - Fuji, SE, Kestrel and Breezer. ASI also owns the Oval Concepts brand of bicycle components. For more information, visit: fujibikes.com, sebikes.com, kestrelbicycles.com, breezerbikes.com, ovalconcepts.com.