Pearl Izumi Elite Triathlon team members Jessie Thomas, Cam Dye, Drew Scott, Angela Naeth and Magali Tisseyre gathered at the new Pearl Izumi-Shimano North American headquarters in Louisville, Colorado last week for their 2014 season opening camp. This was not a training session, but the February 21-23 gathering included sessions designed to benefit the athletes and included a bike fit (excluding athletes contractually bound to other fit systems), blood analysis, and testing for flexibility and other performance-related factors. On a personal level, Pearl Izumi wants to get its athletes together to get to know one another, give them time to spend and enjoy one another’s company and learn and discuss new products including footwear, clothing and race apparel.
The meeting is the first in the new, $9.8 million, 55,000 square foot building which was completed last December and comes four years after Shimano American bought Pearl Izumi. The new facility is adjacent to the brand's previous location in Louisville. The company said it features a "world-class design and development center that reflects the company’s Japanese heritage, showcases a commitment to product development, and provides a creative workplace to explore and inspire new ideas and innovation." The building uses natural materials chosen to integrate the building into the natural landscape and the facility's Rocky Mountain views.
All photographs © Timothy Carlson
Pearl Izumi sponsored triathlete Jessie Thomas gets a custom fitting of his new race suit for the 2014 season. Here the arm widths are adjusted to fit like a glove.
Pearl Izumi’s new $9.8 million, 55,000 square foot U.S. headquarters in Louisville, Colorado they share with Shimano has a shape which mimics the nearby Flatirons mountains.
The section where the Pearl Izumi custom team designs and works on products for teams and individual athletes.
One of the Pearl Izumi custom art team that designs clothing for individual athletes, groups and events.
Selected items for Pearl Izumi premier triathlon lines for men and women. That same room also includes hundreds of sportswear items in various sports categories such as road cycling, mountain biking and triathlon.
Angela Naeth has her blood drawn by a certified phlebotomist to be analyzed for performance related markers.
Dr. Garret Rock, an expert in orthopedic chiropractic, biomechanics and exercise physiology, discusses blood values and performance with Angela Naeth.
Magali Tisseyre and Angela Naeth discuss the fit of the 2014 triathlon race suits with Kelly Emich, custom product line manager.
Jessie Thomas in prototype of his 2014 race kit.
Lloyd Thomas of Shimano gets Cam Dye dialed in on bike position and fit.
Cam Dye gives Lloyd Thomas feedback on bike position.
Magali Tisseyre gets precise fit on her Argon 18 race bike by Lloyd Thomas of Shimano.
Markers attached to the body of cyclist read out on a digital screen to show positioning and data important to bike fit.
Lloyd Thomas of Shimano does flex analysis on Cam Dye to help with bike position.
Lloyd Thomas does flex analysis on Magali Tisseyre.
Drew Scott, one of Pearl Izumi’s newest athletes, listens during a new product presentation.
Ryan Ives observes Magali Tisseyre testing fit of new EM Road N-Zero run shoe.
Angela Naeth discusses her 2014 race schedule with Pearl Izumi Global Sports Marketing Manager Geoff Shaffer
Cam Dye and Magali Tisseyre have some time to relax between meetings.
Living out of a bike case – Angela Naeth brought her entire race equipment and kit direct from her victory at Ironman 70.3 Panama to the Pearl Izumi Triathlon Camp.
