History of Hammer Racing Team

Bob Shaver started hammer Racing Team in the early 70's. Hammer's first major sponsor was Dave Jacobs of the Cool Gear Company, makers of clothing for the cycling industry. The Team was originally made up of 8-10 riders. This included Bob Shaver, Bob Cook, Bill Lahman, Jack and Jim Janelle, Jim Crist, Dick Pineo, Scott Adlefinger, Tim Issacs, and a new junior rider by the name of Davis Phinney. A few years' later new sponsors came on board and the Team became know as Cool Gear, Indy-Exxon. New riders include John Howard, Wayne Stetina, and Dale Stetina. In 1976 John, Wayne and Dale left for other teams.

1977-78 saw the team go through major changes. Hammer's new sponsor was John Reveridge; he was owner of Life Force Foods in Boulder, CO. This Category 1 only team was made up of Bob Cook, Tom Sain, Richard Gangl, Jim Dickenson, John Mock, Dale Thomas, and Bill Lahman. Contracted for the larger national and international races were The Stetina brothers, Steve Bauer, and Kent Bostick. Hammer Racing Team dominated the racing scene much of the later part of the 70's and into the 80's winning numerous Best All Around Team awards in races like the Red Zinger/Coors Classic Stage Races. Many team members raced in Europe. Included were numerous Olympic, Pan American and National Champions on the team.

At the start of the 1980 season, Hammer suffered the loss of Bob Cook and Andy Finch. 1983 brought the passing of best friend and sponsor Bob Beveridge. From 1984 to 1988 the team was run by Bob Borgo of Boulder, CO. Bob's skill as a team director saw the team achieve many top placings in both national and international events. Major sponsors of this era include: MCI, Campagnolo, Mavic, and Giro. 1989 saw more changes, as Hammer became more of a veteran racing team, both on the road and the track. The new sponsor was 7-11. This gave Hammer much national recognition that remains to this day. During the '89 season, the team won 3 national titles, set 4 national records, and won 15 gold medals in the Colorado State Masters Track Championships.

The 1990's found Hammer still at the top of the game. The Team has won 5 World Titles, 2 Golds at Masters Nationals and top placings in many other races.

In 1999 the Team finish the millennium in fine form winning 1st place team at The Masters Nationals Track Championship in Frisco, Texas. They also brought home 10 medals at the World Masters Track Championships in Manchester, England.

The year 2000 brought Hammers second Masters National Team Track Championship at Indianapolis, Indiana. Due to injuries and other unforeseeable circumstances 2001 saw Hammer send a much reduced Team to Seattle for Masters Track Nationals. Still Hammer was able to finish a strong 3rd.

2002 found Hammer regaining its' winning ways with its' 3rd National Team Title in 4 years. What made it sweeter was that it was on its' home track in Colorado Springs. The season finished with a 5 World Masters Medals (including a Gold and a Best all around Rider) in Manchester and 2 World Masters Golds in Melbourne, Australia.

2003 promises more Titles, Championships, and accolades along with the continuation of the winning tradition of Hammer Racing Team.