Shimano Neutral Service Returns to the Tour of the Gila for 30th Edition

The Tour of the Gila, one of the most iconic bicycle stage races in the United States, has partnered with Shimano Neutral Service to provide support for the 2016 edition. Shimano’s factory technicians will service the men’s and women’s professional fields during the five stage race, May 4-8, 2016.

The Tour of the Gila is celebrating its 30th Edition in 2016.

“We are excited to welcome Shimano back to Silver City,” said Jack Brennan, Tour of the Gila race director. “We want to thank Shimano’s Leo Garcia and Wayne Stetina for their generosity and their support during for our special 30th race.”

Shimano Neutral Service will be on the road with the Gila from all the dramatic climbs like Mogollon to the wind swept Tyrone time trial course and the downtown criterium.

Neutral support is being provided by Shimano’s factory technicians. These are the same mechanics who provide neutral support at the biggest national and international races.

“We’ll be bringing our symbolic blue cars to Silver City to follow the field with a complete set of Shimano Dura Ace equipped bikes and Dura Ace carbon clincher wheels,” said Leo Garcia, Shimano Events Specialist/Multi-Service. “During the road stages if a rider has a flat or breaks his or her bike the Shimano techs will hop out quickly and get them running again.”

During the downtown Silver City criterium stage, Shimano Multi-Service will be on course running two neutral service pits. If a rider gets a flat, is involved in a crash, or has an unforeseen mechanical issue they can report to the pit and receive a “free lap” while the bike is fixed or replaced and then they can rejoin the race.

About The Tour of the GilaCelebrating its 30th Edition in 2016, Tour of the Gila takes place in and around Silver City, New Mexico and consists of three road race stages, an individual time trial, and a criterium. Stage 1 is a point-to-point road race ending on a 6.7-mile climb that peaks at a 19-percent grade en route to the ghost town of Mogollon. The criterium is held in downtown Silver City with high speeds, 90-degree turns and a brutal climb to weed out the weak. The iconic “Gila Monster” road race final stage consists of over 9,000 feet of climbing for the men and over 5,500 feet for the women, ending in the tiny enclave of Pinos Altos, nestled in the Gila National Forest. www.tourofthegila.com

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