Jelly Belly Cycling Team has announced their final line-up for the 2014 season.  The American-based team, which is competing mainly in the UCI America Tour events, supported by the longest running domestic sponsor – Jelly Belly Candy Factory, presented a formidable roster spearheaded by returning US road race Champion Freddie Rodriguez and newly signed former Garmin – Sharp rider Jacob Rathe.

The Jelly Belly team has its nearest future secured as they renewed a contract with their long-time title sponsor – the longest running domestic sponsor within American UCI Pro Continental teams, for next two seasons, while Maxxis will step in next season as the presenting sponsor.

Considering both team’s financial situation and its line-up visibly strengthened by the group of returning riders spearheaded by current US road race Champions, and a handful of new signings, Jelly Belly team director Danny Van Haute is optimistic about their chances in the upcoming season. He shows belief that they will manage to build a highly competitive squad, able to create an entertaining and exciting spectacle throughout whole season together with other strongest America Tour’s teams.

“On paper I think our team is very strong,” said Jelly Belly team director Danny Van Haute.

“And looking at the other Continental teams that are coming on board in the US, I think it's going to be a real exciting season for all the teams. Looking at the rosters, I don't think there is going to be one dominant team. Everybody is going to win their share of races.”

The group of returning riders, in which six names are listed, is leaded by current and four times US Professional road race Champion, 40-year old Freddie Rodriguez. The American decided to sign a two-year deal with Jelly Belly, hoping to make it through the next seasons with a chance to participate in 2015 UCI World Champions to be held in Richmond, Virginia. The remaining cyclists returning to the team alongside Rodriguez, are: Cascade Cycling Classic overall winner Serghei Tvetcov, Nature Valley Grand Prix stage winner Sean Mazich, two-time Mexican road champion Luis Lemus, “super domestique” Ian Burnett and Nic Hamilton.

The list of the new signings, consisting of Kirk Carlsen, Devan Dunn, Steve Fisher and Jonathan Freterm is headed by the former Garmin – Sharp rider Jacob Rathe, previously competing mainly in the European Tour events.

Only 22-year old American  is a valuable signing for the Jelly Belly team, while he has a lot of experience to share after participating in the World Tour events, in the likes of Tour of Flanders, Paris Roubaix, Ghent-Wevelgem, Paris-Nice, Criterium du Dauphine or the Tours of Poland and Beijing. Young Rathe has already felt a taste of the professional victory when he took a stage win during considered as highly difficult Volta o Portugal in 2011. He also finished third in the U23 Paris-Roubaix after participating in the USA Cycling development program at the age of 20.

Van Haute believes, that experience brought from the period spent on racing in Europe will have a huge positive influence on team’s performance in 2014.

“He brings lots of experience, and that's good,” Van Haute said.

“A guy with that experience from a WorldTour team coming to us? He would be a good person for a leadout for Freddie on the flatter stages, and we're going to give him some opportunities to win some stages on his own.”

The Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 2014 roster:

Returning: Ian Burnett, Nic Hamilton, Luis Lemus, Sean Mazich, Freddie Rodriguez, Serghei Tvetcov,

New signings: Kirk Carlsen (from Bissell), Devon Dunn (from CashCall), Steve Fisher (from Hagens Berman), Johnathan Freter (from Fire Fighters Cycling), Jacob Rathe (from Garmin-Sharp).

Not returning: Alex Hagman, Brad Huff (to Optum), Christian Kriek, Emerson Oronte, Jeremy Powers, Morgan Schmitt, Ricardo van der Velde, Ben Wolfe (to Cal Giant-Specialized)