Whole Athlete/Specialized Team Wraps up Stellar 2013 Season

This year proved to be the Whole Athlete/Specialized Team's most successful season to date. Kate Courtney opened the season with the Pan American Junior Women's Title, then earned her second World Cup win at Mont Sainte Anne, making her the number-one UCI rider going into the World Championships. Her sixth-place finish there foreshadows amazing things to come. Teammate Lucas Newcomb ascended the World Cup podium at Mont Sainte Anne as well with an impressive 2nd place. And fifteen-year-old Haley Batten won the Sankt Vith Grand Prix in Belgium, her first-ever European race.

Kate Courtney celebrates one of two Junior titles at the 2013 National Championships. She would go on to win the Mont Sainte Anne World Cup and take 6th place at the World Championships. (Image: Cyclingdirt.org)

Here in the U.S., Batten, Courtney and Newcomb took home a total of four Junior National titles. Fourteen-year-old Cole Avery earned six wins this season, including the Sea Otter Classic. And Casey Williams brought in two XC victories in only his first year as a U23 Pro. In the ProXCT series alone, Whole Athlete/Specialized Juniors earned a total of ten XC wins.

Lucas Newcomb on his way to the Junior 17/18 XC National title. Just two weeks later he would land on the World Cup podium at Mont Sainte Anne with 2nd place. (Image: Cyclingdirt.org)

In its short, five-year history, the team has averaged 65 wins per year and qualified a total of twelve US riders to the World Championships. In 2012, the team achieved what no other US development program has as Kate Courtney became the first-ever US Junior Woman to win a World Cup.

Sean Bennett had a breakout Junior 17/18 season with a podium finish at XC Nationals and World Championship Team selection. (Image: Cyclingdirt.org)

Yet victories and podiums are only part of the team's success. The primary goal continues to be the mastery of a three-point philosophy of dedication, integrity, and fun in both sport and life. With a focus on the process rather than the outcome, the riders thrive within Whole Athlete's holistic approach.

Meet the newest 15/16 XC National Champion, Haley Batten.

At only 14, Cole Avery earned six wins in 2013, and had fun doing it!

Casey Williams earned two XC wins in only his first year as a U23 Pro.

Zach Valdez, Casey Williams, & Jacob Albrecht sweep the U23 podium at the Fontana ProXCT.

 

A huge thanks to all our team sponsors, donors, and supporters who helped make it happen!