Tour de France Gear now available in the Philippines

CEBU, Philippines - Local cycling enthusiasts can now opt to take the highroad—both literally and figuratively—when biking their way to the finish line.

Taking a cue from the most successful cycling team in the world, Filipinos now have access to the high- performance jerseys and off-bike apparel worn by Team Columbia High Road in their victorious Tour de France stint last year. This specialized gear is available in the eight Columbia Sportswear outlets nationwide.

Because racers demand peak performance from their gear, the Team Columbia-Highroad line of jerseys and off-bike apparel are infused with the latest fabric innovations of Columbia Sportswear. Among these are Omni-Shade technology for all-day sun protection and the Omni-Tech™ technology for waterproof, breathable rain protection.

In 2008, the newly formed Team Columbia- High Road won the most number of cycling championships, prompting the International Cycling Union (UCI) to cite it as the most successful cycling team in the world. But beyond counting star riders Mark Cavendish, George Hincapie and Kim Kirchen among its ranks, Team Columbia- High Road distinguished itself by its belief that ‘only success won by fair means can they inspire people and create champions’ —  a radical stance amid the substance abuse controversies surrounding the sport then.

Now, still armed with the same ideals, Team Columbia- High Road is poised to conquer the 2009 Tour de France.

“I’m not just proud of our successes, I’m proud of the way in which we achieve it,” shares Team Columbia High Road owner Bob Stapleton. “All of the victories were earned by a good collective effort. We are built around the best practices and the best equipment in the sport, and we are constantly looking for better methods.” 

This team’s drive is apparent in their partnership with Columbia Sportswear, one of the leading outdoor sportswear brands in the world. “We are proud to be the co-sponsor of a team and a group of riders that represent all that is great about getting outdoors and doing what they love— whether it’s winning a stage of a race or working closely with their teammates to create new opportunities,” says Tim Boyle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Sportswear Company. 

“Our sponsorship is a great way to introduce Columbia ’s product technologies, through one of the most-watched professional sports in the world, and we are excited to be associated with such a young, exciting team that has received so much recognition for their success,” ends Boyle.

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon., Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel and footwear.  As one of the largest outerwear brands in the world, the Company has developed an international reputation for quality, performance and value.  To learn more about Columbia Sportswear and its products, please visit our website at www.columbia.com or visit us at the Ground Floor of SM Cebu North Wing.