Tour de France gear is here

MANILA, Philippines - Local cycling enthusiasts can now opt to take the high road — 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 right Columbia Sportswear outlets nationwide.

Because racers demand peak performance from their gear, the Team Columbia-High Road line of jerseys and 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 inspire people and create champions.”

Armed with the same ideals, Team Columbia-High Road is poised to conquer the 2009 Tour de France. “All of the victories were earned by a good collective effort,” says Team Columbia-High Road owner Bob Stapleton. “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 the teammates to create new opportunities,” says Tim Boyle, president and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Company.

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 an international reputation for quality, performance and value. To learn more about Columbia Sportswear and its products, visit www.columbia.com or any of the local Columbia Sportswear branches at Greenbelt 5, SM Megamall, SM Cebu North Wing, SM The Block, SM Mall of Asia, Lim Ket Kai Mall, Festival Mall, Alabang and Gateway Mall.