Verizon Wireless Women's Cycling Team Gears up to Fight Breast Cancer

WOBURN, MA — Some are survivors of breast cancer. Others have lost a loved one. All are raising awareness and making a contribution by racing for the cure.

Tomorrow, nine riders from the 20-member Verizon Wireless Women's Cycling Team will tackle the scenic hills of Vermont and the roads of downtown Burlington for the three-day Green Mountain Stage Race. As is the case with all their races, all prize money won by the Verizon Wireless Women's Cycling Team is donated to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Now in its second season, the Verizon Wireless Women's Cycling team, comprised of working mothers, doctors, entrepreneurs and three former national cycling champions, races throughout the summer across the country. This season the team has earned several first place finishes throughout New England, and is currently ranked fifth overall out of 40 teams in the women's pro cycling tour national standings. The most important goal, however, is to surpass last year's contribution of $4,000 for breast cancer research.

"Our goal is to outdo last year's financial contribution, and raise even more awareness on the issue of breast cancer," said Julie Monagle, the team's captain and co-founder. "Most of us on the Verizon Wireless Cycling team have lost a loved one or know the struggles of becoming a survivor of breast cancer."

The Verizon Wireless Women's Cycling Team is the only team on the women's national tour to donate all race proceeds to charity.

"Verizon Wireless is proud to sponsor a team that channels its passion for riding into a proactive and positive effort — fighting against breast cancer," said Bob Stott, president for Verizon Wireless' New England Region.

The Green Mountain stage race begins with a mass hill climb Friday afternoon at Bolton Valley ski resort. Saturday's 19-mile circuit race features a fast downhill finish; Sunday's 66-mile road race will feature several grueling climbs. The weekend culminates with a criterium race in downtown Burlington on Monday, starting and finishing at the Flynn Theatre.

Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, sponsors the team by outfitting the women with racing attire and providing event support.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 97 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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