Duffy gets bike deal with Specialized

The wheels are in motion for Flora Duffy to qualify for her second straight Olympics.

Duffy, the Bermuda Sun Female Sports Athlete of the Year and both the Bermuda Bicycle Association and Bermuda Triathlon Association’s Female Athlete of the Year, signed a contract to ride bicycles and equipment by Spec Specialized Bicycle Components.

The deal is worth about $30,000 as Duffy will receive two complete bicycles as well as shoes, helmets and clothing. 

The bicycles will be updated to the latest models each year.

For the 2011 season Duffy will compete in the draft legal International Triathlon Union format races on the Specialized S-Works Amira which is a women’s specific model, whilst for the non drafting races and time trial events she will compete on the Transition Pro.

The deal was initiated by Duffy’s former coach Neil de ste Croix and Grant Goudge — the owners of Bicycle Works bicycle shop who are the exclusive Specialized dealer in Bermuda.

Duffy said the deal was very helpful as “Specialized is a great company with awesome bikes and support.

“I am really looking forward to working with them

“They support triathlon a lot so to be apart of that is very exciting.”

Part of the deal will see Duffy ‘fit’ for the bike so it’s adjusted specifically for her. She said: “Being fit for a bike is important and they have the technology and knowledge there to get it done right

“One of the main reasons I am so excited to join is because of their support system.

“It is nice that I can go to the HQ and on team camps there and train with other athletes.

Basically they are an awesome company super into triathlon and to be apart of that is a dream.

de ste Croix said: “The contract for Flora came about during meetings last year in the U.S. when Specialized advised us that they were making a large investment into the sport of triathlon and were looking to sponsor high calibre athletes with world class potential.  Obviously, Flora’s name came up and after providing her sporting resume they were keen to sign her up.”

The deal is “not just about the bikes and equipment” as young Duffy will have access to the Specialized network of worldwide dealers for technical support as well as a direct line to the world class bike fit system. 

At the end of March Flora will be flown to the Specialized headquarters in Morgan Hills California to attend a “pro athlete” meeting where the sponsored athletes get together to discuss their needs as well as see the latest products and innovations for the next year.

de ste Croix added: “Going on Bermuda prices, she’s getting $15,000 worth of equipment this year and that’s without considering in the clothing and everything else. At the end of the year, they replace those bikes with the very latest bike. That’s really incredible.”

“She’s gotten in with all their dealer network.

“Specialized is an incredible company.

“They are passionate about the bicycles and the equipment. Their fit system is the best in the world.

“The contract is open to renegotiation in a couple of years.”

de ste Croix said Duffy has “a very, very good” chance of qualifying for the 2012 London Games “based on the fact she’s already qualified for the Pan Am Games.”