The Team SmartStop ® Pro Cycling is returning this season after successfully completing the transition from a criterium focused team to stage race program. The new 2014 team will focus on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC) and major North American Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) stage races.

Starting 2014 with a bang, Team SmartStop’s Rob Britton placed second on the overall general classification (GC) at February’s Vuelta Independencia Nacional race. After a successful eight days of racing, Team SmartStop headed home with half a dozen podiums including three stage wins, two second places, and top tens on each stage raced. Team SmartStop’s Jure Kocjan, who won two stages, also finished third in the points classification and the team finished third overall in the team classification.

This year, Team SmartStop® management decided to hire a new director Michael Creed, who made his debut as a director for the team at the Tour of Alberta. Creed is one of the most decorated amateur riders in U.S. history, started his pro career in 2000 with 7Up-Colorado Cyclist before moving on to Prime Alliance, US Postal Service, Discovery Channel, Slipstream, Rock Racing, Team Type 1 and finally Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies, where he rode from 2011 until he retired this year.

“We are excited about the new direction for the 2014 season, and are extremely proud of all our past and future riders,” said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc., a publicly registered REIT targeting the self-storage market under the SmartStop® Self Storage brand name. “We feel the 2014 team represents our philanthropic desire to keep our communities healthy and promote an active lifestyle. Cycling also demonstrates teamwork, which incorporates skill and camaraderie similar to the business principles that are practiced everyday by our own SmartStop® Self Storage corporate team.”

The Team SmartStop® Pro Cycling 2014 roster is highlighted by reigning Canadian National Road Champion Zach Bell, the winner of the 2013 Tour of Utah KOM Competition Michael Torckler, and Elite National Criterium Champion Travis McCabe. The team will also be returning 2013 team members Shane Kline, Eric Marcotte, Travis Livermon, Flavio De Luna, and veteran Adam Myerson.

Also joining the team will be Rob Britton, Joshua Berry, Jure Kocjan, Cameron Cogburn, Julian Kyer and neo-pro Shane Haga.

In addition, Team SmartStop recently secured two new sponsors: Mercury Wheels and Giro Helmets.

The team’s current sponsors include: The Happy Tooth Family Dentistry and Orthodontics, Wilier Trestina bicycles, Champion System clothing, SRAM components, Maxxis tires, TRP brakes, Tifosi optics, Mountain Khakis, Ritchey components, Selle San Marco saddles, KMC chains, SAPIM spokes, Enzo’s Embrocation, Polar, ProGold Lubricants, Thule, YPM, Amgraph Group, Maple Reinders, Medallion Construction, Feedback Sports, K3 Holders, and Keen shoes.

“It took a lot of dedication and hard work to get to The Tour of Alberta,” said Jamie Bennett, team owner. “This experience was not only rewarding but a validation that we are ready for the next step.”

Team Smartstop 2014 team roster:

Zach Bell-CAN Michael Torckler-NZL Travis McCabe-USA Eric Marcotte-USA Rob Britton-CAN Julian Kyer-USA Flavio De Luna-MEX Cameron Cogburn-USA Kristofer Dahl-CAN Shane Kline -USA Travis Livermon-USA Jure Kocjan-SLO Joshua Berry-USA Adam Myerson -USA Shane Haga-USA

About SmartStop® Self Storage

SmartStop® Self Storage offers affordable, accessible and secure storage units for residential and commercial customers. SmartStop® Self Storage offers secure interior and exterior storage units as well as outside storage areas for vehicles, RVs and boats. In addition to features such as keypad access, security gates and video surveillance, the self storage facilities also utilize well trained on-site associates to provide customers with the highest standard of service in the industry. To view our self storage locations or to find self storage solutions a nearby storage facility, visit https://SmartStopSelfStorage.com.

About Strategic Storage Trust, Inc.

Strategic Storage Trust, Inc. (SSTI) is a publicly registered REIT targeting the self-storage market under the SmartStop® Self Storage brand name. The SSTI management team is comprised of industry veterans with extensive institutional experience in the acquisition and property management of self-storage properties. Since the launch of SSTI in 2008, the company’s portfolio of wholly-owned properties has expanded to include 122 properties in 17 states and Canada that are being branded as SmartStop® Self Storage. The portfolio includes approximately 77,000 self-storage units and 10.2 million rentable square feet of storage space. For more information about SSTI, please call 949-469-6600 or visit www.StrategicStorageTrust.com

(via MarkerWired)

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