June 16, 2009

 

Scottsdale, AZ - Velo Vie, a market leader and manufacturer of high-end carbon fiber bikes, has announced its Amore e Vita cycling team, sponsored in partnership with Life Time Fitness, a national operator of large and distinctive health and fitness centers, participated in the five-day Nature Valley Grand Prix race series. The team emerged with exciting victories, including the finale in stage 6 at Chilkoot Hill, which has been deemed the most difficult one-day race in the United States.

The Nature Valley Grand Prix is a pro stage bike race held June 10-14, 2009, in the Minnesota cities of St. Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Mankato and Stillwater. The race welcomed 300 pro cyclists and is the top ranked women's pro race and the second ranked men's pro race in the United States. Returning rider Floyd Landis, former Tour de France winner, was among the participants.

 

While Amore e Vita team members exhibited strength and endurance throughout all legs of this international cycling event, the last stage kept everyone holding their collective breaths. The sixth stage marks the most challenging with a climb that is in excess of a 22-percent grade and is repeated 20 times. Undeniably, this leg of the race is not for the inexperienced or the faint at heart.

Rory Sutherland of OUCH-Maxxis and defending Nature Valley Grand Prix champion was considered by many to be the "one to watch" in this race. In fact, with the support of his teammates, he maintained the lead for a large portion of the race.

The consensus opinion, however, did not take into account Amore e Vita rider, Phillip Mamos, who came from behind on his Velo Vie Vitesse 300 R to pass Sutherland and win the final stage by a mere two seconds.

Not to be completely outdone by his teammate, Amore e Vita rider, Chad Gerlach, who is emerging as a formidable competitor after fighting a drug addiction and homelessness, won the 'Jelly Belly Sports Beans King of the Hills Jersey,' which recognizes him as the best climber of the stage 6 race.

"This series of races is a key part of our team's competition in the United States," said Homayoon Farsi, Velo Vie CEO. "We are very excited to see our riders emerge victorious, especially in what has been widely recognized as hardest one-day race in the U.S. The team has been performing very well thus far and we anticipate much the same success as they progress through the race season."

Velo Vie and Life Time Fitness are committed to growing the sport of cycling and supporting cyclists at all skill levels through dedicated facilities, training programs, nationwide cycle clubs and the best equipment available.

In connection with a partnership between the companies, Velo Vie and Life Time Fitness sponsor the Amore e vita racing team, which competes internationally.

About Velo Vie

Arizona-based Velo Vie manufactures and markets high performance and racing bicycles direct to the consumers through its online marketplace. Founded in 2006, Velo Vie offers highly customizable bicycle frames featuring Velo Vie™ Carbon Axis technology. Velo Vie offers consumers top quality components through its relationships with manufacturers such as Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, Fulcrum, Reynolds, Easton, Vision, Profile, Ritchey, FSA, Deda, Rolf, Time, Speedplay and Look.  For more information about Velo Vie visit www.velovie.com . Contact info This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 1-877-VELOVIE.

About Lifetime Fitness, Inc.

Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM) operates distinctive and large, multi-use sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort and spa centers. The Company also provides consumers with personal training consultation, full-service spas and cafes, corporate wellness programs, health and nutrition education, the healthy lifestyle magazine, Experience Life, athletic events and nutritional products. As of February 19, 2009, Life Time Fitness operated 83 centers in 18 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Life Time Fitness is headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and can be located on the Web at lifetimefitness.com. LIFE TIME FITNESS, LIFE TIME ATHLETIC, EXPERIENCE LIFE, and the LIFE TIME FITNESS TRIATHLON SERIES are trademarks of Life Time Fitness, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.