It’s a case of too many initials. Or perhaps it’s a perfect match of initials. Technical sports and compression apparel brand 2XU was awarded the title of exclusive Official Compression Partner for the pro cycling team BMC.
Category: Pro Sports
Trek RadioShack Nissan Bikes Now Available
Even if you can’t ride like the pros, and probably won’t ever ride with the pros, you can still ride on what the pros ride. Trek Bicycle has announced that this season’s Trek Madone 6.9 SSL and Speed Concept 9.9 are available to order with RadioShack Nissan Trek paint scheme from the company’s Project One custom bike program, and at all authorized Trek Project One retailers. Press Release after the jump
Bontrager Goes to the Races With Trek
Trek won’t be a stick in the mud, or rather stuck in the mud, but the 2012 Trek World Racing gravity squad will instead pin its hopes to get through the mud – and much more – with the Bontrager G-Mud and G4 tires it was announced last week. The world’s top-ranked downhill team will race on the newly developed models. Press Release after the jump
Converse ConTain Fit New Line
While the lockout may be keeping the pros off the court, Converse is still in the game with a new line of basketball shoes. The Converse DEFCON and Pro Leather 2K11 shoes feature ConTain Fit Technology in the upper, unique to Converse, which first appeared in the Star Player Evo shoe. These form a lightweight brace around the foot and providing breathable structural support and cushioning. ConTain Fit further contours the foot and transfers all physical force directly to the traction system for increased on-court mobility.
The Converse DEFCON shoe, which is named after the military term identifying defense readiness, was built for players to quickly transition from offense to defense. The DEFCON shoes further integrate the upper and midsole with direct-inject EVA foam for lightness, breathability and containment, and also comes with an OrthoLite sockliner providing long-lasting comfort during extended wear. Continue reading Converse ConTain Fit New Line
Riddell Calls Time Out For Equipment Inspection
With football you can only be protected if the equipment is doing its job, and for this reason Riddell, the official helmet of the National Football League, is calling for an in-season time out to make sure that coaches, players and parents are properly inspecting the equipment including helmets and shoulder pads.
“Between regular practices and games, a player’s equipment experiences hours of use,” said Dan Arment, president of Riddell. “Inspecting equipment throughout the season helps ensure it’s prepared to perform its job – protecting players on the field.”
Riddell’s five-point, checklist is designed to keep proper fit and protection top of mind for all young football players and includes: Inspecting the helmet shell for cracks and dents; checking hardware and internal helmet padding; ensuring proper helmet fit; accessing the chin strap; and making sure shoulder pads fit properly as well. Video after the jump
Nike on the Seitiro Hi-Vis Ball
While American’s expect a football to be shaped like… well, a football, the rest of the world knows football as the game played with the round ball. It might not seem like there is much that can be done to the football/soccer ball, but actually Nike begs to differ and its new ball could be the biggest game changer since the introduction of the now legendary white footballs, which were introduced in 1951 to help spectators see the ball during night matches.
Introducing the Nike Seitrio Hi-Vis ball, which builds on the legacy of excellence in the T90 football range that has served as the official match ball in the world’s leading leagues including Barclay’s English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga. Continuing to bring new innovations to football, the Hi-Vis ball features Nike RaDaR technology, which means Rapid Decision and Response.
Nike has tested the ball in the lab and on the field and the result is the Nike RaDaR technology, which makes it easier for players to see the ball better and capitalize on split second scoring and passing opportunities. In the game of football, precision sight is of utmost importance, and the Nike Seitiro is engineered to stand out on pitch even when conditions are not ideal. The yellow and purple color combination flaunts additional fluorescence and brighteners, making it even more visible in low light conditions than previous generations of Hi-Vis balls.
The Nike Seitiro features patented hi-vis casing, performance graphic, and unique five-layer construction, along with aerodynamic stability. The new ball saw its official debut on the pitch this past weekend. Chances are we’ll be seeing a lot more of it.
Nike Soccer Shoe Laser Strike
httpv://youtu.be/cHLVsEO84oA
Nike just released its Nike T90 Laser IV soccer shoe. The “football” shoe is 20 percent lighter than the previous version. It features a streamlined silhouette that provides enhanced fit and lets wearers feel the ball. The forefoot area has a newly configured adaptive shield design that works with the foot’s natural motion to boost performance. Constructed from high performance synthetic leather, the upper provides a soft and close-to-the-foot fit. On the sole, a new stud design enhances speed and movement, without added weight or pressure.
To coincide with the launch, Nike Football created the T90 Strike Counter on Facebook. This app allows users to log their goals, and recreate the action in a 3D image. Report the spot on the pitch from where a goal was scored; where in the goal the ball went, and what part of the boot (shoe) was struck the ball. The data render a 3D image that can be shared with friends. Participants can also check out the 3D image and input from pro football players.
Nike Mixes Tech with LeBron 9 Cannon Shoes
Nike’s LeBron line has a new shoe. The Lebron 9 Cannon design “focus on functionality without sacrificing style,” according to the company. Nike claims this basketball shoe is the first to combine its Flywire and Hyperfuse technology. While this may be a closer integration, previous shoes including a prototype shoe developed for Tiger Woods this past spring. This may, however, be the first commercially released pair of shoes from Nike using both technologies.
Are Football Helmets and Other Protective Gear Still Short of Goal Line?
Football season – including Professional, College and High School – is well underway, and beyond upsets and surprising victories, much of the talk this year continues to be about the helmets. NBC Sports noted last week that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was looking to have his helmet re-fitted by Riddell, shifting from a Schutt helmet, possibly the version he wore when he suffered a concussion against the Atlanta Falcons.
Vick reported looked to have his helmet re-fitted by Unequal Technology, which would use Kevlar to “disburse the effects of a blow to the helmet.” It was also reported that while this technology is new to the gridiron it has been used in hockey helmet and of course in the military.
This reporter, who has experience as the author of books and articles on actual military helmets, can attest that there is a difference in what Kevlar is designed to do. Kevlar is typically used in ballistic helmets, namely those meant to stop a bullet on a battlefield to save a wearer’s life (where a concussion would be preferable to death), and not for the brunt force trauma that one might experience on the playing field. Continue reading Are Football Helmets and Other Protective Gear Still Short of Goal Line?
U.S. Suits Up With Sunice
The Emerald Isles are known for many things, including their green beauty. This makes for scenic golf courses, but it can be a little… wet too. There is a joke that there are two kinds of weather in Ireland, which are raining and going to rain. The U.S. Solheim Cup Team will be able to beat the weather and stay warm and dry as it suits up with Sunice Outerwear for this month’s event at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland.
Rosie Jones, the U.S. team captain, selected Sunice for its attention to styling and exceptional performance in a difficult wet climate and the players will wear as part of their exclusive uniform multiple Sunice garments manufactured using only Gore-Tex fabrics to ensure they are provided ultimate performance and protection from the elements.
“As we get closer to the Solheim Cup, the anticipation is mounting as we anxiously await the appearance of Team USA in their custom-designed Sunice outerwear suits,” said Mark Fletcher, President of Sunice. “The design and development process that involved our top product people working in conjunction with Rosie Jones and her assistants was a fun experience and we worked well together as a team.” Continue reading U.S. Suits Up With Sunice
KineticShift Rides Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and Comes Back with Spectator Info!
(Video by Mike Prendergast) For a higher resolution video click here
From August 22nd through August 28th, one of the biggest professional cycling races in the United States will commence in Colorado Springs. This is one of the largest U.S. stage races in recent years, drawing international stars like Cadel Evans and the Schleck brothers to do battle on our soil, with our heroes including Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and Colorado favorite, Tom Danielson. KineticShift.com will be there; and actually we have already been there and had a chance to pre-ride Stage 2, the ‘Queen Stage’ of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC).
At 131 miles and with two 12,000-foot mountain passes, Stage 2 of the UPCC will arguably be the hardest day of racing for the pros due to the altitude, length and unpredictable Colorado weather. Experience it here from a rider’s view as we climb, descend and film our way through the Queen Stage… returning with some interviews and insight for you!
This week’s coverage:
The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista
The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen
Watching the Queen Stage – Spectator Information for Gunnison to Buena Vista
Watching the Queen Stage – Spectator Information for after Buena Vista to Aspen
Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?
USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Strider World Cup Answers the Challenge
USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Buena Vista to Aspen
The second half of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is not going to be any easier to get around and watch than the first half from Gunnison to Buena Vista, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying.
Not only will you get to see some great cycling in action, you’ll be treated to some of the most scenic beauty that ‘Colorful Colorado’ has to offer.
After riding this stage (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen), we agree that a much better viewing experience is to be had by selecting a spot and soaking in the action. The following are our thoughts regarding spectating of this stage for the portion after Twin Lakes.
Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Buena Vista to Aspen
USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen
We continue our coverage of the “Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge” (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista)
Once my cleat malfunction was addressed in Buena Vista, Mike Prendergast and I continued our ride of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. At this point, we were 67 miles into the 131 mile stage from Gunnison to Aspen. From Buena Vista at 7,965 feet, we had almost 43 miles until we reached Independence Pass at 12,095 feet – the Continental Divide for the second time. As we rolled out of Buena Vista, the skies did not look so good. With only a couple of tiny sections of blue sky, dark clouds started to form and the wind started to pick up. US-24 closely follows the Arkansas River for almost another 20 miles, but only climbs about 1,100 feet. Though this road is very heavily traveled, there is a wide shoulder for most portions of this section of the stage – not important for the racers as the road will be closed, but nice if you are just out for a ride. There is some nice scenery even though this section is a grind… it is probably the least enjoyable section of the ride due to the traffic and winds. As we approached Granite, the grade increased slightly, but it felt easier. From Granite up to CO-82, the grade or reduced headwind allowed for a large chain ring climb to the turn at CO-82. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen