O'Neill Signs With
Navigators Insurance For 2005
Courtesy Navigators
Insurance Cycling Team
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, October 5, 2004
— Nathan O'Neill, current and five-time Australian National Time Trial
Champion, has signed with the Navigators Insurance Cycling Team for the
2005 season, Director Sportif Ed Beamon announced today.
"We are excited to add Nathan to
our roster of champions," said Beamon. "Nathan brings tremendous experience
and depth to our team. With his intimate knowledge of European races, and
his obvious success here in North America, Nathan will be a great asset
for us as we expand our presence in a Global arena." |
| The Navigators Insurance
Cycling Team, the only U.S.-based team to register as a Professional Team
under the new UCI rules for the 2005 season, plans a program that includes
races in Europe, the United States, Australia and Asia.
..."I am keen to race in Italy, Belgium
and my homeland of Australia again and especially keen to race on a Colnago,"
O'Neill said, who speaks fluent Italian.
Beamon added, "Nathan's commitment
to professionalism and dedication to his fellow teammates make him an ideal
fit with our program. I am confident he will be able to lead the team in
many situations, as well as provide strong support for his teammates. He
is an excellent ambassador for our sport and will be a great representative
for Navigators Insurance, Colnago and our many industry sponsors."
Nathan O'Neill is a native of Toowoomba,
Queensland, Australia. He began racing at age 14 and twice won the Junior
National Australian Time Trial Championships. O'Neill has served on the
Australian National Team since 1992 and hasrepresented his country in the
2000 Sydney Olympics, the 2002 Commonwealth Games, where he won the Bronze
Medal in the Time Trial, and four World Championships, including 2001 when
he placed eighth in the Time Trial. O'Neill is the current Australian National
Time Trial Champion and has held the title five times. He turned professional
in 2000 with the Italian team Panaria. The year 2003 was his first in the
United States where he made 25 podium appearances, including ninerace victories
and 16 race leader's jerseys, as a cyclist for the Saturn Team. For the
2004 season, Nathan raced with the Colavita Olive Oil Pro Cycling Team,
placing second overall at the Grand Prix de Beauce and winning every Time
Trial in which he competed.
O'Neill lives in North Georgia with
his wife, Karen, who is the Director of Special Programs for the Tour de
Georgia.
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