SPY(R) Joins USA Cycling

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO--(Marketwire - Jan 17, 2012) - SPY, the Southern Calif.-based purveyor of technical sunglasses, goggles and prescription eyewear, announced today it has joined USA Cycling as an official sponsor. Along with supporting the development of America's next generation of world champions and Olympic medalists, this multi-year partnership allows SPY to build upon its heritage in cycling and technical eyewear development, further integrating its brand, products, events and athletes, including USA Cycling Professional Road Race National Champion Matthew Busche and Cyclo-cross stars Jonathan Page and Nicole Duke, into the broader USA Cycling universe of high-performance athletes, events and community.

As a part of the partnership, new USA Cycling model Performance Screw sunglasses, replete with SPY's patented Scoop® anti-fog technology, are being produced this spring in the colors of Ol' Glory exclusively for USA Cycling members.

SPY is activating its sponsorship through a number of USA Cycling platforms, including presence at 17 USA Cycling National Championship events and supplying high-performance product for use by USA Cycling's development teams.

Equally exciting, the 70,000-plus members of USA Cycling and its 3,000 registered clubs and teams will be afforded special opportunities on all SPY-related products as part of a USA Cycling membership.

The partnership was reached in conjunction with sports marketing and entertainment company Wasserman Media Group, which was retained by USA Cycling to assist in establishing greater sponsorship value and identifying potential partnership opportunities for the national governing body.

"As a company of dedicated cycling enthusiasts and competitive athletes, including an active Category 1 Cyclo-cross racer as its president and CEO, SPY is the perfect partner for USA Cycling, whose members will directly benefit from the utility of SPY's quality, technical eyewear in every discipline," said USA Cycling President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Johnson. "SPY is a hands-on partner and we have some exciting programs planned to elevate the brand of USA Cycling, avail SPY's incredible product to our constituency, and raise awareness of cycling and bicycle culture in the U.S. as a true lifestyle interest."

Michael Marckx, SPY president and CEO, said: "We are a coastal San Diego brand with a history in cycling across its entire spectrum -- road, mountain, BMX, 'cross and fixie -- as SPY was launched with the highest-quality technical eyewear possible for bike fanatics, which includes ourselves and our friends who also ride and race. It's wonderful that we are able to provide immediate value in the way of our new, exciting technical eyewear, goggles and Rx frames to everybody in the mix, even as we look forward to working with USA Cycling on great programs that will mutually enhance our shared interests and improve the cycling experience in myriad ways for USA Cycling members across the country and internationally."

Together, USA Cycling and SPY are ready to gear-up bike riders across America, to enhance the sport's profile in every discipline, and raise awareness and provide motivation for healthy, active lifestyles in 2012.

About SPY
Since we were founded in 1994, we've believed that the best way to develop eyewear for cyclists is to race and ride our bikes, on the road and in the dirt, and have fun doing it. We're lucky to be based in San Diego, but the testing, development, and style we put into our eyewear allows us to create eyewear that work in any cycling environment on earth. And if you're into what we're into -- riding and racing bikes -- we exist to share our culture every time you put on a pair of shades. SPY is the choice of some pretty incredible riders, including 2011 U.S. National Pro Road Race Champion and Team RadioShack-Nissan-Trek Member Matthew Busche; multiple U.S. National Cyclo-cross Champion Jonathan Page; National and State Champion Nicole Duke; and World Champion Mountain Bikers Sam Hill and Troy Brosnan. There are many more hammerers and daredevils on the list, but that's a good start. We are also the title sponsor of the So Cal Cross Prestige Series, the largest and most significant 'cross series around, and SPY is a major supporter of local events and organizations, including the Swami's, Monster Media, Big Orange, and SPY Blue teams, and an array of college clubs. We're proud to make the best eyewear around, and even happier that we can help riders enjoy cycling, feel good, and look way cooler doing what we love to do. For more information about SPY, log-on at http://www.spyoptic.com/performance/l/600_viewall and www.facebook.com/spyperformance.

About USA Cycling
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 70,000+ licensees; 3,000 clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,650 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org.