The professional cycling team sponsored by SmartStop Self Storage, which operates 164 facilities in 20 states and Canada, will be among 18 international and 11 U.S. teams racing in the 10th annual Amgen Tour of California, which is considered the largest and “most prestigious” race on American soil, according to a press release. The race will wind through 13 California cities May 10-17.
"We have a strong team this year, and we can't wait to watch them compete in SmartStop's home state," said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO of SmartStop. "Being invited to participate in this race with an unprecedented lineup of the world's top cycling teams is an honor that proves the team's continual growth."
SmartStop announced the team’s 2015 roster in February. It includes 10 racers from the 2014 squad and four cyclists new to Team SmartStop Pro Cycling.
"We are excited to participate in California because this will bring the team to the pinnacle of competition in North America," said team owner Jamie Bennett, a senior partner with Budget Development, which develops and manages self-storage properties. "I really want to show H. Michael Schwartz, first hand, how his long-term support of this team has culminated with a good showing at this premier event. We're going for a stage win in California after getting some racing under our legs in some early season competition in the Dominican Republic and Mexico."
The eight-day tour will cover nearly 700 miles as teams bike along some of California's most beautiful roadways, highways and coastlines, according to the release. Launched in 2006, the Tour de France-style road race begins in Sacramento before winding through Nevada City, Lodi, San Jose, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita, Big Bear Lake, Ontario, Mt. Baldy, Los Angeles and Pasadena. Top finishers will receive world-ranking points.
Formerly Strategic Storage Trust Inc., SmartStop Self Storage is a diversified real estate company that focuses on acquisition, advisory, asset management and property-management services for self-storage properties. The company is also the sponsor, adviser and property manager for Strategic Storage Trust II Inc., a public, non-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in stabilized properties, and Strategic Storage Growth Trust Inc., a public, non-traded REIT focusing on self-storage acquisition and development.
