DOVER, N.J. (June 1, 2006) Rising triathlon phenom, Jenna Shoemaker is taking a run (and bike and swim) at making it big. Having only discovered triathlons during her freshman year at Harvard, Shoemaker has since erupted in the international triathlon scene by becoming the youngest American to achieve a World Cup ranking, as well as becoming the highest ranked American U23 athlete.

Sister to U23 world champion, Jarrod Shoemaker, Jenna originally started out as a runner and a swimmer, "I decided to try the sport after my freshman year in college. I had been running and swimming all spring and I didn't think that cycling would be too difficult. I realized I had a future after I won the second triathlon that I entered," explained Shoemaker. And what a future it's been.

Following a rash of successes including becoming 2005 New England Espoir Champion, 2004 U23 National Series Winner, 2004 Inside Triathlon All-American, 2003 and 2004 USAT All-American, Shoemaker is now a member of the US U23 Triathlon squad for 2006. More recently Shoemaker signed a two-year agreement with bike sponsor, Van Dessel Cycles.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her," said Edwin Bull, owner of Van Dessel Cycles. "Jenna has an incredible resume and at a very young age has already proven the ability to compete in the big leagues...So when the opportunity came up to offer our support and do something we jumped on it."

Van Dessel's Kermis

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Van Dessel Cycles," said an enthused Shoemaker. Shoemaker will ride Van Dessel's versatile Kermis road bike (she competes in draft-legal triathlons), a racing thoroughbred, that has received rave reviews from the media and racers alike.

"After my first ride I can easily say that the Kermis is the most responsive and comfortable bike I have ever had the honor of riding. The combination of the alloy and the carbon give it a stiff but responsive feel that is awesome for climbing, sprinting and just riding hard," explained Shoemaker, a self-proclaimed "roadie."

Read Bicycling's review of the Kermis

For more information about Jenna's Kermis visit www.vandesselsports.com. For information about Shoemaker visit www.jennashoemaker.com and look for Jenna in the next triathlon World Cup in Madrid on June 4^th.

Ride inspired since 2000, Van Dessel Cycles is dedicated to maximizing performance, function, and dependability in every Van Dessel bike. Van Dessel's 2006 line of bikes debuts at www.vandesselsports.com and features the carbon Solstice road bike, the ultra-light aerodynamic TT/Tri Project WR, the full-suspension Buzz Bomb FS and the single-speed Country Road Bob. Determined to build up the sport from its grassroots, Van Dessel believes in promoting cycling through talented, results-oriented athletes like Jenna Shoemaker. Look for Van Dessel Cycles beneath teams like Maxxis, Colavita New England, UC Davis and the Iraq Junior National Team. To see Van Dessel bikes up close, find a dealer at www.vandesselsports.com.