Friday, August 30, 2013

Courtney Top-10 at World Championships!

Kate Courtney capped off an amazing season and impressive Junior career with a top-10 finish at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Battling dust, heat, and the best riders in the world, Courtney's 6th place finish added one more top result to a year that saw her win a World Cup and the US National Title.

Kate Courtney
Courtney tackles one of the technical rock gardens on the challenging Worlds course.
(Image: Darren Goddard/Cycho Media)

Sean Bennett also put in an impressive ride in his first ever World Championship bid as the top US Junior male finisher. Starting in the back of an extremely competitive field with a 65th place call up, Bennett overcame an early crash to finish in 28th, making up 37 places!

Sean Bennett
Bennett gives everything as he navigates the rocks in the dry South African heat.

The World Championships wrap up the summer race season for the Whole Athlete/Specialized Cycling Team. With over 55 victories in 2013, including three junior national titles, a World Cup win and multiple World Cup podiums, it has been an amazing year for the young development squad.

Congratulations to all the riders and a huge thanks to all who helped make it happen!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Juniors Prepare for World Championships as Youngest Whole Athlete Wins at Home

With just two days until the big season finale, Kate Courtney, Lucas Newcomb, and Sean Bennett put the finishing touches on their race preparation at the World Championships course in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Kate Courtney
Courtney hopes to take her World Cup winning form one step further in South Africa.

Meanwhile back in the US, at only 12-years-old, the youngest Whole Athlete/Specialized Junior Dylan Fryer continues to shine as he earns his second win of the summer in the Under-14 CCCX race.

Dylan Fyer
Fryer with his second win of 2013.

Stay tuned for more exciting news!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

World Cup Win!!

Kate Courtney wins the Junior Women's World Cup in Mont Sainte Anne, Canada, Lucas Newcomb takes 2nd in the Junior Men's race!

Kate Courtney
Courtney celebrates her biggest win of 2013 and second career Junior World Cup victory.

Lucas Newcomb
Newcomb earns his best World Cup finish yet.

Joining Courtney and Newcomb, teammate Sean Bennett in his first-ever World Cup rode in the top-10 throughout most of the race. An untimely flat on the last lap dropped him back to 15th, but a solid ride nonetheless. 

Lucas Newcomb, Sean Bennett
Newcomb (national champ) and Bennett (left),
along with USA teammates Landen Beckner and Neilsen Powless await the start.

Kate Courtney
Courtney is now the #1 ranked Junior Woman in the world.

Next up for the Whole Athlete/Specialized Juniors: Courtney, Newcomb, and Bennett are off to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in just two weeks for the grand finale of the season, the World Championships.

Stay tuned for more exciting news!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Victorious in Vermont

Newly crowned Junior National Champions Kate Courtney and Lucas Newcomb rode their stars and stripes jerseys to podium finishes at the Catamount Classic ProXCT, earning 1st and 2nd in their respective races. Sean Bennett rounded out the team's Junior results with a solid 4th place in a highly competitive field.

Kate Courtney
Courtney celebrates her 11th win of the 2013 season.

Lucas Newcomb
Newcomb gaining momentum heading toward the World Championships later this month.

The young riders now head north of the border to Quebec to tackle the Mont Sainte Anne World Cup this weekend, one of the more technical and demanding courses they will face. Then two weeks later, it's off to South Africa for the grand finale - the World Championships

Kate Courtney
Courtney takes the win.

Lucas Newcomb
Newcomb airs the A-line.

Upcoming Events
August 10th: World Cup - Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec
August 29th: World Championships - Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Stay tuned for more exciting news!