RITCHEY RENEWS SPONSORSHIP OF HEALTH NET PRO CYCLING TEAM FOR 2007

Most Successful American Squad Again Will Use Ritchey WCS Bars, Stems & Seatposts

San Carlos, CA - Ritchey Design, Inc. and the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis have renewed their sponsorship agreement for the 2007 racing season. Ritchey has been a proud sponsor of Health Net Presented by Maxxis since 2004, supplying the team with alloy, carbon and carbon-alloy matrix handlebars, stems and seatposts from its World Championship Series (WCS) line.

Health Net Presented by Maxxis riders have accumulated over 200 wins and close to 500 podium spots in both domestic and foreign events, including victories at the USPRO Cycling Championship, USPRO Criterium Championship, Redlands Classic, Sea Otter Classic and Sydney Track World Cup in 2005. In 2006, the team again took overall victory at the Redlands Classic, as well as third place, first place at the Australian National Time Trial Championship, the individual time trial gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, the overall title and third podium step at the Tour of Utah, and the final two legs of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown. Health Net Presented by Maxxis is the most successful US domestic squad three years running, taking the National Racing Calendar title for the third straight year in 2006.

Ritchey Design, Inc. has been researching and implementing new materials and innovative designs since being founded in 1974 by Tom Ritchey, member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and long-time sponsor of professional, grassroots, and development teams, as well as individual athletes. The company promotes a philosophy that every cyclist deserves access to bicycle components reliable enough to be used by professionals the world over. In 2007, the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis will utilize Ritchey WCS and PRO series seatposts, handlebars and 4-Axis stems constructed of alloy, carbon fiber or patented technology that fuses carbon and alloy Ritchey calls Matrix "carbonalloy."

"We're delighted Ritchey has renewed its sponsorship for 2007," asserts Health Net Presented by Maxxis Team Director, Jeff Corbett. "Our riders have a deep appreciation for Ritchey bars, stems, and posts as those components represent the fundamental link between athlete and bike. These guys must have complete faith in their equipment, so they can focus on the extreme demands of training and racing."

A decades-long sponsor of world class mountain bike and road racers, Ritchey is intimately familiar with the rigors of elite competition, and equally versed in the design and manufacture of products that deliver the performance and reliability required to successfully compete at that level. Sponsorship of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis and of more than 125 amateur and developmental teams around the world is an important part of Ritchey's product evaluation and research and development programs. "Sponsorship of grassroots, as well as elite professional, athletes is part of our heritage and ongoing commitment to road and mountain bike racing, triathlon, and downhill and freeride competition," explains Steve Parke, Ritchey Design's General Manager. " The Health Net Presented by Maxxis squad has been a great partner over the years, validating our designs and providing valuable feedback to our Advanced Concept Design team. We're excited about their accomplishments and for their role as ambassadors of the sport and of our products. We think 2007 will be another great year for both of us."

About Ritchey
Ritchey Design Inc. was founded over 30 years ago by Mountain Bike Hall of Fame member and revered frame builder, Tom Ritchey, and now has offices in Nevada, Northern California and Switzerland. From the outset, Tom has focused his energies on the design of frames and components that exploit diverse materials' inherent qualities, while searching for those elusive symbioses that generate products stronger than the sum of their parts. This unique ability to create components both innovative and reliable, lightweight and strong, practical yet beautiful is what sets both the Ritchey and Syncros brands apart in both the original equipment and aftermarket segments. For more information about Ritchey Design and the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis, please visit www.ritcheylogic.com and www.teamhealthnet.com.

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