The professional cycling team sponsored by SmartStop Self Storage, the retail brand for Strategic Storage Trust Inc., has named its roster for the 2014 season and a new team director, Michael Creed. Team SmartStop Pro Cycling completed its transition from a criterium-focused team to a stage-race program. It will now compete in races on the USA Cycling National Racing calendar and major North American Union Cycliste Internationale stage races, according to a press release. The 2014 team includes:

The team has already completed its first race of the year. Britton placed second on the overall general classification at February’s Vuelta Independencia Nacional race. After eight days of competition, Team SmartStop earned half a dozen podiums including three stage wins, two second places and top tens on each stage raced. Kocjan, who won two stages, also finished third in the points classification, and the team finished third overall in the team classification.

Creed, who made his debut as team director at September’s Tour of Alberta, is a decorated amateur rider. He began his pro career in 2000 with 7Up-Colorado Cyclist before moving on to Prime Alliance, U.S. Postal Service, Discovery Channel, Slipstream, Rock Racing, Team Type 1 and finally Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies, where he rode from 2011 until he retired this year.

“We are excited about the new direction for the 2014 season and are extremely proud of all our past and future riders,” said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Strategic Storage Trust, a publicly registered, non-traded real estate investment trust. “The 2014 team represents our philanthropic desire to keep our communities healthy and promote an active lifestyle. Cycling also demonstrates teamwork, which incorporates skill and camaraderie similar to the business principles that are practiced every day by our own SmartStop Self Storage corporate team.”

This year’s roster includes several notable riders. Bell is the Canadian National Road Champion, Torckler is the winner of the 2013 Tour of Utah KOM Competition, and McCabe is the Elite National Criterium Champion. De Luna, Kline, Livermon, Marcotte and Myerson were 2013 SmartStop team members. The team also recently secured two new sponsors, Mercury Wheels and Giro Helmets.

“It took a lot of dedication and hard work to get to The Tour of Alberta,” said Jamie Bennett, team owner. “This experience was not only rewarding but a validation that we are ready for the next step.”

Launched in 2008, Strategic Storage Trust’s portfolio of wholly-owned properties includes 122 properties in 17 states and Canada. The portfolio includes approximately 77,000 self-storage units and 10.2 million rentable square feet of storage space.

Team SmartStop’s Rob Britton (first row on the right)
placed second on the overall general classification
at February’s Vuelta Independencia Nacional race. 

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