Three Canadians sign with Amore & Vita

A Ukrainian-registered Continental team with an Italian history and name has signed three Canadians for 2014. Amore-Vita, which traces its roots back to 1948, has brought aboard Alex Cataford, James Piccoli and Michael Woods.

Cataford and Woods both raced for Garneau-Quebecor in 2013, with Cataford winning the under-23 national time trial championship. Cataford also has experience on the track, having taken the 2011 junior Pan American champion in the individual pursuit.

The highlight of Woods’ 2013 season was beating Ryder Hesjedal’s 2009 record on the fearsome 56-km Haleakala Climb in Hawaii, setting the new mark at 2:32:24. Woods also placed 9th in the Tour de Beauce and 11th in the Canadian national road race.

Piccoli joins Amore-Vita from Team Medique presented by Silber Investments. The 22-year old podiumed in both the time trial and the road race of the 2013 Canada Games.

Amore-Vita raced the Tour de Beauce and the Philly Cycling Classic last year.