Giant–Australian Institute of Sport

The Giant–Australian Institute of Sport Cycling Team (UCI team code: GIA) was an Australian professional cycling team sponsored by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and bicycle manufacturer Giant. Heiko Salzwedel and Brian Stephens were early directeur sportifs. The fusion of the Giant-AIS and the Czech Husquarna team in 1997 extended its International profile, allowing to include foreign riders, such as Jens Voigt, Jan Hruška, Tomáš Konečný. Consequently, the name of the team was changed to ZVVZ-Giant-AIS Cycling Team.

Giant-AIS Cycling Team
Team information
UCI codeGIA
RegisteredAustralia
Founded1996 (1996)
Disbanded1998
Discipline(s)Road
BicyclesGiant
Key personnel
General managerHeiko Salzwedel
Team manager(s)Jiri Zenisek

Sponsors

Australian Institute of Sport

The Australian Institute of Sport is the high-performance arm of the Government founded Australian Sports Commission. In 1990, the AIS extended their commitment to Cycling and started the AIS Road Cycling programme in Canberra under AIS Head Coach and Australian National Road Coach Heiko Salzwedel. Initially, 12 cyclists have been offered scholarships, amongst them Patrick Jonker, Grant Rice, Darren Smith, Robert McLachlan, Robert Crowe, Jamie Kelly, Matt Bazzano and Jason Phillips. In 1993, the AIS programme in Canberra was expanding to include the MTB and the Women's Endurance programme. Cadel Evans was in the first group of mountain bikers and Olympic Gold medalist Kathy Watt being the most prominent riders of the Women's Endurance programme. Damian Grundy (MTB) and Andrew Logan (Women's Endurance) have been appointed as AIS and National Coaches.

Giant

The Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer began its international sponsorship activities in 1991 with the Australian Institute of Sport Cycling Team. Riders, such as Robbie McEwen, Patrick Jonker, Henk Vogels, David McKenzie started their International cycling career at the Australian Institute of Sport on GIANT bikes. When the Trade Team was founded in 1996, it became prime co-sponsor of the team bearing its name along with the Australian Institute of Sport.

Jayco

As a consequence of their long standing relationship with Cycling teams and races in Australia, the American/Australian manufacturer of caravans and motorhomes, based in Melbourne, provided the team with custom made motorhomes both in USA and in Australia.

ZVVZ

The financial support of Czech manufacturer of Airconditioning equipment enabled the Australian team to contract International riders, such as Jens Voigt, Jan Hruška, Tomáš Konečný and others.

Škoda

As a part of the Volkswagen Group, the Czech car manufacturer Škoda started their extensive and long time commitment towards cycling in 1997, providing the team with 6 of their than brand new model Škoda Octavia.

Team roster 1996
Rider Date of birth
 Brett Dennis (AUS) (1971-10-21)October 21, 1971 (aged 24)
 Paul Brosnan (AUS) (1973-10-23)October 23, 1973 (aged 22)
 Nick Gates (AUS) (1972-03-10)March 10, 1972 (aged 23)
 John Gregory (AUS) (1966-10-07)October 7, 1966 (aged 29)
 Declan Lonergan (IRL) (1969-07-25)July 25, 1969 (aged 26)
 Kelvin Martin (AUS) (1972-07-27)July 27, 1972 (aged 23)
 Damian McDonald (AUS) (1972-05-12)May 12, 1972 (aged 23)
 Rodney McGee (AUS) (1974-03-11)March 11, 1974 (aged 21)
 Tony Morphett (AUS) (1973-04-13)April 13, 1973 (aged 22)
 Tristan Priem (AUS) (1972-02-19)February 19, 1972 (aged 23)
 Jay Sweet (AUS) (1972-08-11)August 11, 1972 (aged 23)
 Matt White (AUS) (1974-02-22)February 22, 1974 (aged 21)

Team roster 1997
Rider Date of birth
 Brett Dennis (AUS) (1971-10-21)October 21, 1971 (aged 25)
 Paul Brosnan (AUS) (1973-10-23)October 23, 1973 (aged 23)
 Nick Gates (AUS) (1972-03-10)March 10, 1972 (aged 24)
 Slavomir Heger (CZE) (1971-03-03)March 3, 1971 (aged 25)
 Jan Hruška (CZE) (1975-02-04)February 4, 1975 (aged 21)
 Miroslav Kejval (CZE) (1973-07-11)July 11, 1973 (aged 23)
 Tomáš Konečný (CZE) (1973-10-11)October 11, 1973 (aged 23)
 Damian McDonald (AUS) (1972-05-12)May 12, 1972 (aged 24)
 Peter Rogers (AUS) (1974-10-24)October 24, 1974 (aged 22)
 Paul Rowney (AUS) (1970-12-02)December 2, 1970 (aged 26)
 Tomas Sedlacek (CZE) (1967-03-17)March 17, 1967 (aged 29)
 Jay Sweet (AUS) (1972-08-11)August 11, 1972 (aged 24)
 Jens Voigt (GER) (1971-09-17)September 17, 1971 (aged 25)
 Matt White (AUS) (1974-02-22)February 22, 1974 (aged 22)
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References
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