Sharp-eyed readers will notice a new name—Team Sho-Air—emblazoned across the chest and sleeves of the Alpinestars leathers worn by Team Cycle World Attack Performance Yoshimura Suzuki rider Eric Bostrom.
What is “Sho-Air,” you ask? Well, Sho-Air International describes itself as a “global shipping and asset-management company.” In simpler terms, the company specializes in trade shows and expedited shipping for clients such as Intel, Microsoft and Sony, to name a few. Scott Tedro is president of Sho-Air and the high-energy force behind the wildly successful Team Sho-Air/Specialized professional mountain-bike racing team and founder of the US Cup, described by cycling’s Velo News “as the continent’s premier off-road racing series.”
So, what’s Sho-Air’s connection to motorcycles and, specifically, Cycle World? Last year, Tedro backed former AMA Superbike and Supersport Champion Ben Bostrom in the La Ruta de los Conquistadores adventure race. The five-day Costa Rican event is recognized as the world’s most grueling multi-day mountain-bike race—it’s off-road racing’s Tour de France with more than 50,000 feet of climbing over five days. First time out, Bostrom, an avid cyclist, won his class and finished fifth overall—a monumental achievement. His Sho-Air teammate, Manuel Prado, was the overall victor.
Team Sho-Air’s Scott Tedro sees strong crossover potential between cycling and motorcycling. Last year, No Limit stunt-rider Jason Britton (pictured here with long-time friend Tedro) performed at the Fontana, California, round of mountain-biking’s US Cup. Britton’s wife, Kendi, is a VP at Sho-Air International.
Bostrom introduced his brother, Eric, to Tedro, and the two became fast friends. Tedro contacted me, and we arranged a dinner meeting with Attack Performance’s Richard Stanboli, 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz and Bostrom. I explained to Tedro the premise of our story—to test the validity of AMA Pro Racing American SuperBike rules instituted last season. He asked a number of questions then turned to Stanboli. “I want Eric to have a chance to win Laguna,” he said. “What do you need to make that happen?”
That question set in motion a series of events that took our small, from-scratch effort to an all-new level. For starters, Tedro authorized Stanboli to purchase a second 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 from a local dealership. He then kicked in more money to cover spare parts and travel costs. Tedro even paid to “wrap” the front of the Attack Performance semi and refinish the truck’s awning. Because Sho-Air is by chance located just one block from Attack Performance in Huntington Beach, California, Tedro and Sho-Air team director (and former pro motocrosser) Tyson Kady have been able to personally check in with Stanboli on a nearly daily basis.
Schwantz suggested that the best way to get Bostrom back up to speed from his self-imposed year-plus hiatus from racing would be to enter the July 16-18 Honda Super Cycle Weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. That way, Schwantz reasoned, Bostrom could run in traffic and be better prepared for the July 23-25 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix race weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Bostrom, Stanboli and Tedro agreed.
As if all of that isn’t exciting enough, Tedro brought with him another outside-industry sponsor: Specialized. The bicycling giant has agreed to sponsor our team’s umbrella girl—Raquel Houghton. Look for Houghton at Laguna Seca, Virginia International Raceway and Barber Motorsports Park wearing a Team Sho-Air cycling vest and carrying a Specialized umbrella.
Tedro is already talking about even greater involvement in the AMA Pro Racing series next season. For now, we’re pleased to have him and Sho-Air International on board with Team Cycle World Attack Performance Yoshimura Suzuki.
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