Whole Athlete/Specialized Riders Open 2013 Season with Four Wins!

This weekend marked the opening of the spring season in NICA's NorCal and SoCal Leagues, and Whole Athlete/Specialized riders were at the forefront, earning a total of four wins in eight podium finishes.

Shane Skelton patiently biding his time before making the race-winning move in SoCal Varsity.

Kate Courtney on her way to her first win of the 2013 season. (Photo: Miles Lim Photography)

Lucas Newcomb (Drake) corners on his way to a strong 2nd place in Varsity North. (Photo: Miles Lim Photography)

A focused Ben Spurr on his way to a podium finish in his first-ever Varsity race. 

SoCal standout Shane Skelton took a convincing win in the Varsity race, timing his attack to perfection, while teammates Jacob Albrecht and Sean Bennett went 1-2 in the NorCal Varsity-south race. Kate Courtney showed that she's ready for the season with a solo victory in the Varsity Girls, while Tyler O'Neal took his second win in two weeks earning the Sophomore honors. Split into two races due to sheer size, the NorCal League Varsity-north also saw Lucas Newcomb and Ben Spurr take 2nd and 4th respectively, while Steffen Andersen hit the podium with a strong 2nd place in JV-south.

Shane Skelton takes the SoCal Varsity honors. 

Jacob Albrecht and Sean Bennett go 1-2 in the Varsity race.

 

Tyler O'Neal wins his second race in two weeks with his Sophomore victory.

Steffen Andersen with a solid 2nd place in JV south.

 

Kate Courtney on the Varsity top step.

Next stop for the Whole Athlete/Specialized Team is the Mellow Johnny's ProXCT in Austin, TX. Stay tuned for more exciting news!

Whole Athlete / Specialized Cycling Team Kicks Off 2013 with Winter Training Camp

Fourteen Junior and U23 riders descended upon the Whole Athlete Performance Center in Northern California over the weekend for the Whole Athlete / Specialized Cycling Team's 2013 season kickoff camp. The young riders were treated to two full days of great riding, sponsor introductions, product demos, organic food, yoga, and much more.

The team enjoyed fantastic weather, camaraderie, and some of the best riding on the west coast

SRAM's Ryan Chondrashoff takes the riders through the new XX1 group 

The team develops mobility, stability, alignment, and balance through yoga

 

Having earned the distinction of USA Cycling's Mountain Bike Club of the Year for the second year running, the team looks to build upon its 2012 season success which included Kate Courtney's first-ever World Cup win by a US Junior Woman  and Marcus Segedin taking the Junior 15/16 Junior National Title. 

Kate Courtney aims high in 2013 with a World Cup focus

Marcus Segedin shows off the team's training kit as he prepares to step up to the Junior 17/18 ranks

 

For the 2013 season, the team's focus once again will be the US ProXCT series and National Championships, as well as select World Cups and the World Championships.

Zach Valdez looks to build on his best U23 season yet, with five Pro wins in 2012 and a podium at XC Nationals

 

Among the returning riders for 2013 are 2012 Junior 15/16 Cross Country National Champion Marcus Segedin, 2012 World Championship Team members Lucas Newcomb, Kate Courtney, and Casey Williams, and 2012 Collegiate D2 Cross Country and Short Track Champ Cypress Gorry.

After a strong first year as a 17/18 Junior, Lucas Newcomb looks to take it up a notch in 2013

Shane Skelton, Lucas Newcomb and Marcus Segedin showing that "smooth is fast"

Guided by "dedication, integrity and fun," the riders embrace the holistic methodology that defines the Whole Athlete / Specialized Team. 

Counterbalancing the stress of hard training with yoga 

Posing for a group shot in the stealth training kit

The 2013 Whole Athlete / Specialized Cycling Team

 

2013 Whole Athlete / Specialized Cycling Team

Junior 17/18

Kate Courtney - 18
Lucas Newcomb - 18
Shane Skelton - 18
Marcus Segedin - 17
Sean Bennett - 17
Ben Spurr - 17
Silas Blunk - 17

Junior 15/16

Steffen Andersen - 16
Tyler O'Neal - 16

Junior Under 15

Dylan Fryer - 13

U23 Pro

Zach Valdez - 21
Casey Williams - 19
Cypress Gorry - 19
Jacob Albrecht - 19

Staff

Dario Fredrick - Team Director
Matt McCourtney - Assistant Director
John Hunt - Assistant Coach

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