Drapac Professional Cycling filled the Solitaire Jaguar dealership in Adelaide with a sound fit group of young men in red at the team’s launch event yesterday announcing their expanded 2015 race schedule and community outreach.

All 18 riders on the professional continental squad took to the stage with the Drapac expansion in race schedule, community outreach, and the Drapac sporting philosophy the basis for the afternoon. Team Principal and highly successful property mogul Michael Drapac highlighted on the core philosophy of Drapac as it ties to the 2015 race schedule and community involvement.

“What is the winning? It is more than the medal around the neck. What is the real purpose of being a bike rider? It is more that being the fastest, the strongest. The Drapac sporting philosophy believes in broader values and objectives in the sport of cycling and strives to share with the world an active healthy lifestyle propelled by our athletes, positive role models and citizens,” said Drapac. “We want to build more sustainability, enduring success & most importantly enduring memories, for our riders, staff and our communities.”

Drapac Professional Cycling, now in its 11th year, has built a balanced platform with athletes, partners and the community. With three pillars – Sport, Activation and Redefining Success – Drapac Professional Cycling looks continue its growth in each area. The sport pillar has all eyes on taking the team to the World ProTour level by 2018 and doing so while keeping Drapac’s values in the forefront. The foundation of Drapac is giving athletes the awareness, skills and balance to allow their optimal growth in sport as well as their growth as a citizen of the community.

“Much like the Drapac Group we have been able to grow and expand the team year on year, growing both the racing program and the size of the team.  We are now racing on five continents with the most diverse roster to date and have been able to tailor our calendar to suit the needs of our growing group of partners,” said Jonathan Breekveldt, General Manager Drapac Professional Cycling.

Drapac Professional Cycling has built a talented and dynamic squad for the 2015 season. With some international names and experienced riders coming into the program, the team’s comradery has flourished on and off the racecourse. Drapac Professional Cycling has the support of new partners for this season, with Jaguar Australia, Sponser Sports Nutrition and On Running.

Michael Winkler, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Australia: “The cycling world is focused on performance and that feeling of conquering the road and being ‘alive’, which strongly aligns to the spirit of Jaguar and the way we design cars. We are very proud to partner with the Australian Drapac Professional Cycling team as they sum up everything that is great about the sport – clear goals, big vision and strong ethics – and we look forward to building a dynamic partnership over the next three years.”

One key to the team development is Tom Southam joining the squad as Sports Director. Southam carries a sound book of cycling experience and significant respect in the sport.

“Tom brings a fresh approach to the performance side of our team and we have already seen the his strengths with the teams recent performance at the Australian National Championships.  Tom has a strong racing acumen whilst understanding the unique philosophy this team was founded upon and the pillars of our business,” Breekveldt added.

The team cohesiveness and the added depth of staffing talent will allow the Drapac squad the tools to work towards the 2015 goals of racing to their full potential and improving on their most successful season yet of 2014.

This week, Drapac Professional Cycling tackles the Santos Tour Down Under for a second year. The opening stage takes the rider from the start in Tanunda, through world-famous vineyards, up Checker Hill before a fast decent towards the finish line in Campbelltown.

“It is great to finally get to what feels like the real start of the year with Drapac Professional Cycling. The guys have been working really hard in the build up to the start of the season and we all can’t wait to get going with 2015,” said Southam.