The USA Pro Challenge and Pearl Izumi announced today an expanded agreement in which the top name in cycling apparel will serve as the year-round official merchandise retail partner for the USA Pro Challenge.
DENVER (July 21, 2015) - The USA Pro Challenge and Pearl Izumi announced today an expanded agreement in which the top name in cycling apparel will serve as the year-round official merchandise retail partner for the USA Pro Challenge.
Building on an already successful relationship that has showcased Pearl Izumi's technical expertise as provider of the race's leaders and commemorative jerseys, this expanded partnership will leverage Pearl Izumi's design prowess for all race merchandise available to the public. The 2015 Pro Challenge apparel designs are a clear demonstration of Pearl Izumi's commitment to making high quality, unique and culturally relevant products for fans and pro cyclists alike.
"Pearl Izumi has been an exceptional partner since day one of the Pro Challenge, as the official provider of our race jerseys," said Shawn Hunter, CEO of USA Pro Challenge. "We have no doubt that in this expanded role their designs for the entire Pro Challenge merchandise line will be a huge hit with our fans. We are extremely pleased that Pearl Izumi decided to take on this exciting new role with us."
"The Pro Challenge approached us this year to become the official merchandise partner because we have had such a great partnership on the technical apparel program since the race began, both the technical apparel for the athletes as well as the commemorative and leaders jerseys for fans of the race," said Geoff Shaffer, VP Global Brand Marketing. "We saw this as a great opportunity to bring together two great brands as well as to showcase Pearl Izumi's strengths in design and custom sublimation. We're very excited to have produced a unique offering of men's and women's products that not only celebrate the race, but also the great state of Colorado.
The 2015 USA Pro Challenge merchandise store, powered by Pearl Izumi, is now open for business. The product line features state-of-the-art graphic designed jerseys, t-shirts, hats, hoodies, water bottles and of course, cowbells. And there's no shortage of the iconic Colorado state flag either. The complete line of apparel is featured at ProChallenge.com/store.
About Pearl Izumi
For six decades Pearl Izumi has been crafting performance apparel and footwear to empower runners, riders and triathletes to be faster, more comfortable and to perform better. In 2014, Pearl Izumi rooted its new world headquarters in the Colorado Front Range where it embraces strong influence, both culturally and structurally, from its Japanese heritage.
About the USA Pro Challenge
Referred to as "America's Race," the USA Pro Challenge will take place August 17-23, 2015. For seven consecutive days, the world's top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they've ever had to endure. The inaugural Women's USA Pro Challenge is a three-day invitation-only event and will kick off in Breckenridge on August 21st and conclude in Golden on August 23rd. One of the largest cycling events in U.S. history and the largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2015. Featuring a challenging course, the fifth annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America's most beautiful scenery.
More information can be found online at www.prochallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.
Press Inquiries contact:
Heather Krug (for USA Pro Challenge)
PR & Marketing
310-463-1415
heather@heatherkrug.com
Lauren Fallert (for Pearl Izumi)
Account Executive
Verde Brand Communications
970-366-4579 ext. 123
lfallert@verdepr.com