SmartStop to support Shane Kline's Olympic dream
SmartStop Self Storage is jumping back into the cycling game with a deal to sponsor former road team rider Shane Kline's efforts to make the US Olympic track cycling team for the 2020 Tokyo games.
Kline confirmed to Cyclingnews that SmartStop is on board to support him through the 2020 season.
"It's just kind of crazy how everything has been falling into place with the whole situation," Kline told Cyclingnews by phone last week.
Kline rode with Rally Cycling over the past two seasons and was on SmartStop-sponsored road teams for four years before that. When the opportunity presented itself to chase his Olympic aspirations, however, he leapt at the chance and left the road behind.
"I was talking with [Rally Cycling Performance Director] Jonas Carney about re-upping with Rally," Kline said. "I didn't have anything set in stone, but it was looking like I could have a spot, but then at the same time I got a phone call from Michael Schwartz, the CEO of SmartStop."
Kline had stayed in touch with Schwartz in the intervening years since the road team's demise, and the SmartStop owner was now telling Kline he wanted to get back into the sport.
Kline returns to track-racing roots
Rekindling the Olympic dream
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com