Dreamclinic - Team Group Health Wins USA Cycling’s "Women’s Club of the Year" Award for Second Year in a Row

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Team Group Health Wins USA Cycling’s "Women’s Club of the Year" Award for Second Year in a Row

(February 22, 2006 - SEATTLE, WA) Team Group Health (aka Sound Velo Cycling Club) has been named USA Cycling’s 2005 Women’s Club of the Year; the team won also won the award for its 2004 season. Team Group Health was one of nine teams from across the U.S. to be recognized for their outstanding competitive results and contributions to the greater cycling community. Team Group Health is one of the largest women’s cycling teams in the Pacific Northwest, and the team’s focus on developing new women riders in a supportive atmosphere led to tremendous growth in 2005. The roster now includes over 100 women, ranging in age from 15 to 55, with team members competing in all cycling disciplines - road, cyclocross, track and mountain bike.

"We are thrilled to receive this award for the second time, and excited about the opportunity we have to grow the sport in the Pacific Northwest," said Team Group Health President Dana Robertson Halter. "We are particularly delighted that we have been able to help Group Health Cooperative to raise awareness of the tremendous health benefits of cycling. Last season, we had some terrific results and we supported a wide range of cycling-related community events. The members on our large and diverse team are true ambassadors for cycling in this area".

In 2005, Team Group Health won the Washington State Best All Around Road team award and 15 state championship medals, achieved 230 top-ten finishes, raised money for important causes such as Multiple Sclerosis, mentored new riders, and organized and supported local cycling events. Team Group Health is looking to build on this foundation in 2006 – the mountain bike and road racing seasons begin in the next two weeks, and Team Group Health will support and participate in Group Health Cooperative-sponsored events throughout the year, including the Seattle International Bicycle Expo, the "Chilly Hilly" bicycle ride and the Seattle-to-Portland and Flying Wheels rides.

About Team Group Health

Team Group Health is the largest and most recognized women’s cycling team in the Pacific Northwest. Based in Seattle, Washington, the team’s mission is to promote women’s health, fitness, and competitive spirit through bicycle racing.

In addition to the title sponsor (Group Health Cooperative), Team Group Health is proud to represent a number of local and national contributing sponsors, including: American Bicycle Group (Litespeed), Athena Partners , Chef'N , Clif , Crank Brothers , Create a Healthy Life , Dogwise , Dreamclinic , Edward Jones , First Endurance , Fizik , Hincapie , James Alan Salon, Maxxis , Microsoft Alumni Network , NurseWorks Northwest , nuun , Old School Design, Pedros , Real Rehab , Redline/Seattle Bicycle Supply , Ritchey Bicycle Components , Sammamish Valley Cycle , Sigma Sport USA , Smith Sport Optics , Sweet Spot and Swift Home Renovation . More information on the team can be found at www.teamgrouphealth.com .

About Group Health Cooperative

Founded in 1947, Group Health is a consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system that coordinates care and coverage. Based in Seattle, Group Health and its subsidiary health carriers, Group Health Options, Inc. and KPS Health Plans, serve more than 580,000 members in Washington and Idaho. Group Health’s commercial and Medicare plans have received the top rating of "Excellent" from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Please visit the virtual newsroom on our Web site, www.ghc.org under "Newsroom."

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