Another World Cup Top-5 for Courtney, Newcomb Gains Traction Racing the World's Best

Kate Courtney scored yet another top finish with 5th place at round two of the World Cup in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. In a four-week span of racing, the Pan American Champion earned two podiums and a top-5 in three world-class races - and in only her second year of international racing.

Courtney is soaring this Spring.

Joining Courtney in Europe for the Albstadt-Nove Mesto World Cup double was teammate Lucas Newcomb, the top US finisher in both Junior Men's events. Among massive fields of 128 and 115 riders on the two extremely technical, wet courses, Newcomb finished 29th and 34th - a solid start to a big season which will see Newcomb race a total of four World Cups and hopefully a shot at the World Championships as well. 

Newcomb flying over one of the technical rock sections in Nove Mesto.

A World Cup podium for Courtney in Albstadt.

Next up: Round three of the World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy and the BMC Swiss Cup in Granichen where U23 riders Casey Williams and Zach Valdez will gain valuable European race experience against the best in the world.

June 9 - BMC Swiss Cup, Granichen, Switzerland
June 15 - World Cup #3, Val di Sole, Italy

Then it's a big five-week block of back-to-back racing in the US with three ProXCTs and two National Championship events for the Whole Athlete/Specialized Team.

June 22 - ProXCT #6, Missoula, MT
June 29 - ProXCT #7, Windham, NY
July 6 - Marathon National Championships, Sun Valley, ID
July 13 - ProXCT #8, Mt. Morris, WI
July 19-21 - XC National Championships, Bear Creek Mountain, PA

Stay tuned for more exciting news!

Courtney Scores Big with World Cup Podium, O'Neal Crowned CA State Champ as Team Earns Eight Podium Places on Two Continents

Kate Courtney showed her class once again with an impressive 3rd place ride at round one of the World Cup in Albstadt, Germany. 

Courtney happy with her podium finish in Albstadt.

Against the best junior women in the world, Courtney rode her heart out, leading the final lap in a bold bid for the win. It was a tight battle resulting in a major result for the young rider. 

A World Cup podium for Kate Courtney.

Meanwhile back in the US, Tyler O'Neal continued his successful Spring run with a well-deserved Sophomore State Title at the NICA CA State High School Championships at Stafford Lake. 

Tyler O'Neal takes the Sophomore CA State Title.

O'Neal wasn't the only one to end up on the podium, as Whole Athlete/Specialized riders took four of the top five Varsity places with Jacob Albrecht, Sean Bennett, Marcus Segedin, and Ben Spurr 2nd through 5th. Steffen Andersen added to the podium tally with 5th place in Junior Varsity. 

CA State Champs Varsity Podium.

And the team wasn't done yet. Casey Williams battled back from an early week flu to take a hard-earned fourth place in the highly competitive Pro race at the US Cup at Lake Morena. 

Casey Williams with another solid Pro finish in 2013.

Next up for Whole Athlete/Specialized riders is round two of the World Cup in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic next weekend.

Stay tuned for more exciting news!

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Courtney Scores BMC Racing Cup Podium

Kate Courtney showed her class with an impressive 2nd place at the the BMC Racing Cup in Solothurn, Switzerland. The Swiss race marked the final preparations for the first two World Cups coming up this month in Abstadt, Germany and Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. 

Courtney on the world-class podium.

The muddy, slick race conditions were extreme and the competition world class, but Courtney was up to the challenge as she battled for a hard-earned podium finish among some of the best young riders in the world. 

A muddy, happy Kate Courtney.

Thank goodness for SRAM XX1!

Pre-riding the wet, technical course.

A big result for the talented Courtney.

Next up for the young Whole Athlete/Specialized riders are the World Cups in Abstadt, Germany and Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, and the NICA California State High School Championships at Stafford Lake. 

Stay tuned for more exciting news!