Dec. 15, 2006 -- Press release: After a two-year hiatus, 2006 Ironman world champion Michellie Jones is back in the saddle with Southern California's Felt Bicycles.

Jones, who celebrates 20 years in the sport next year, has aligned herself with Felt for most all of her entire triathlon career. Arguably the most successful triathlete in the world, her major wins are almost impossible to keep up with. Silver Olympic and Goodwill Games medals, two ITU World Championships, myriad World Cup and non-drafting Olympic distance races, eight Escape from Alcatraz victories and three Ironman wins culminating in the World Championships in Kona last month.

In a similarly successful year that earned Felt the prestige of "best in show" (Interbike) from a number of key media journalists and triathlon aficionados, it was the new DA technology that caught both Jones' and husband and manager Pete Coulson's attention. "Winning Ironman really made me stand back and take a good look at what was out there in terms of new aerodynamic technology," Jones said from her home in Carlsbad, CA. "I'm at the pinnacle of my career in terms of where I need to be physically and mentally. Going back to Felt in the knowledge that I'm riding the most advanced bike out there, coupled with the fact that it is a group of people who are dedicated to the sport gives me the added confidence to continue on this path and take my performance to a whole new level."

Jones will race on the new Felt DA and train on the B2. Developed over two years using NACA aerofoil profiles, CFD flow modeling and wind tunnel experimentation, the DA frame system delivers unsurpassed aerodynamic advantage with incredible drive-train and steering stiffness. The DA also features the revolutionary Bayonet Steering System which moves the steerer outside of the frame, improving steering stiffness 60% over a regular fork while significantly reducing the aerodynamic drag on the bike.

Jim Felt, co-owner, said "This is not only a tremendous coup for the brand in the year that we brought the new DA triathlon technology to market, it's a huge honor for all of us at Felt Bicycles to welcome MJ back into the Felt family. We are certainly looking forward to helping her stay on top of her game."