Thursday, April 15, 2010

Whole Athlete Junior Development Team Targets Sea Otter Classic XC

Marin County based Whole Athlete Cycling Team is once again hitting the road in search of the podium. Following hugely successful outings to US Cup Races at Bonnelli Park and Fontana Pro XCT (where they accumulated an astounding 18 combined podium appearances including 6 wins) the team is setting up camp in Monterey for the weekend, looking to capitalize on their momentum. Leading the charge will be one of the newest team members, Zach Valdez, and one of the veterans, Will Curtis. Valdez took the top step at San Dimas and Fontana in the Cat 1 17/18 XC races, while Curtis placed 2nd at both races and has won the first two rounds of the NorCal High School MTB League. Also hitting the dirt after an early spring road campaign that saw him take 4 wins on the road including the Cat 2 GC Overall at the prestigious San Dimas Stage Race will be U23 Pro XC rider John Bennett. Rounding out the squad's push will be several top female competitors: Sofia Hamilton, who took a breakthrough win at Fontana; Kate Courtney, a freshman who won the last round of the NorCal High School League in the Junior Varsity division; and Victoria Hamilton, who is chasing her first win of 2010 after getting on the podium at Bonnelli Park, Fontana, and both rounds of NorCal High School League.



The Sea Otter classic marks the last of the national-level spring targets for the Whole Athlete Cycling Team. Even bigger goals come later in the year: an altitude camp in Lake Tahoe at the end of June, MTB Nationals in Colorado in July, and the World Cup Finals in New York in August. From regional races to international competition, team members are learning to compete (and succeed) at the highest levels.

The mission of the Whole Athlete Cycling Team is to invest in the future of youth and the sport of cycling by supporting development of junior & espoir cyclists, while providing a team program where young cyclists can race and ride together guided by a defining philosophy of dedication, integrity and fun. This mission is enabled by mentors, volunteer time and donations to the Velo Development Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. More information can be found at http://www.wholeathlete.com/team.htm and http://www.velodevelopment.org/

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