"We have enjoyed tremendous success winning 285 races in 2008 and 2009 with our men's and women's cycling teams. For 2010, we are proud to again represent two innovative and industry leading international companies- HTC and Columbia Sportswear," said team owner Bob Stapleton.

The team, which includes 39 male and female athletes from 18 different countries, began racing on January 6th with the Australian and New Zealand National Championships.  For 2010 the team will be known as Team HTC-Columbia and race in an updated version of the highly visible yellow, white and black jersey that debuted so successfully in the 2009 Tour de France with six stage wins and 26 podium appearances.

"We are very pleased with the powerful entrance of the HTC brand into cycling at the Tour de France in 2009. With six stage wins at the Tour and many other victories by this team's men and women throughout the rest of the season, it was a valuable part of our successful global brand launch," says HTC Corporation CEO, Peter Chou.

Columbia Sportswear enters in its third season as a major sponsor of the team. "Team HTC-Columbia was named the number one team by cycling influencers in 2009 and features a roster of exceptional athletes. We are looking forward to another outstanding year for the riders of Team HTC-Columbia in 2010," says Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear.

The team training camp begins on the Island of Mallorca, Spain today.