Whole Athlete-Specialized Team riders showed their class today with multiple victories and podium finishes ranging from high school to collegiate to elite level races.
At the NorCal High School Prologue race in Folsom, CA, Max Houtzager and Taylor Smith went 1-2 in the Varsity race, with Bobby Zidek in 4th and Sven Beer in 10th. Lucas Newcomb and Jonny Kaufman also took 1st and 2nd in Junior Varsity, while Josie Nordrum took the win in JV Girls. Other top finishes include Kate Courtney 3rd, Victoria Yoham 4th, MacKinzie Stanley 5th and Sofia Hamilton 6th in Varsity Girls.
On the collegiate front, Nick Newcomb finished 6th in the Cal Poly TT and Will Curtis took 3rd in the Cal Poly Criterium.
Meanwhile, Kenda Cup Sagebrush Safari, in the San Diego desert, Zach Valdez opened up his first season as a U23 Pro with a strong 4th place at the Sagebrush Safari while Keegan Swenson earned the win in the Cat 1 Junior field!
Nick Newcomb continued the Whole Athlete-Specialized U23 Road Team's weekend success with a win in the Pine Flat Road Race, while Alec Kassin followed yesterday's win with a solid 3rd place, only after helping set Nick up for the finale.
Meanwhile on the dirt, Riley Predum took the Pro win at the TBF Challenge XC in Folsom, CA - his first race of the season.
Three wins in two days...not bad, guys. Not bad at all.
Congrats to Alec Kassin for just taking the Cat. 3 win the Cantua Creek Road Race. The Whole Athlete-Specialized U23 Road Team was at the sharp end of the race in the finale, putting the team in the perfect position to take the win. Great job, guys!!
An uncharacteristically warm February day punctuated the success of the Dirt Roll, a benefit for the NorCal High School Cycling League and Marin Country Bicycle Coalition (MCBC). The Whole Athlete-Specialized Team juniors were out in force supporting two organizations that simply help make cycling better for all of us.
We had the opportunity to ride some of our favorite trails with current MTB cross country, short track and cyclocross National Champion Todd Wells, and Specialized Pro MTB racer Lea Davidson. Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a great event!
The Whole Athlete-Specialized Cycling Team held its first team training camp of 2011 at the Whole Athlete Performance Center in Marin County, California this weekend. True to the company's holistic philosophy, the team not only enjoyed road and mountain bike riding on the bucolic back roads and scenic slopes of the famed Mt. Tamapais, but also practiced yoga each day, were treated to organic meals and participated in an array of presentations and workshops from sponsors, docs and supporters.
From Team Sport Psychologist Dr. Joan Steidinger leading the young athletes in finding their "power zone", to kinesiology taping expert and Team Chiropractor Dr. Sara LeMarch showing the kids how to use Rock Tape to prevent and treat common injuries, the junior and U-23 riders were treated like professionals. Other key presenters included co-title sponsor Specialized's USA Partnership Manager Ian Dewar emphasizing their mission to help get more kids on bikes, RestWise founder Matthew Weatherly-White providing their web-based tool to optimize recovery, and Team Director Dario Fredrick taking the riders through the innovative NoTubes tubeless techniques and products.
For the 2011 season, the team will focus on the ProXCT series and National Championships, with the additional goal of again qualifying riders to the World Championship Team. In 2010, no fewer than four juniors from the team represented the US in Mont Sainte Anne. Junior and U-23 MTB cross country racers comprise the bulk of the team, with a small contingent of U-23 road-focused athletes as well. The young athletes range in age from 14-19, including current US National Champions, Kate Courtney (XC), Keegan Swenson (XC) and Zach Valdez (24 hr.). Guided by their philosophy of "dedication, integrity and fun", the Whole Athlete-Specialized Development Team is a non-profit funded program providing young cyclists avenues to the higher levels of the sport.
Junior Men Tony Smith (17/18) Max Houtzager (17/18) Keegan Swenson (17/18) Bobby Zidek (17/18) Sven Beer (17/18) Taylor Smith (17/18) Eliel Anttila (17/18) Johnny Kaufmann (15/16) Lucas Newcomb (15/16)
Junior Women Sofia Hamilton (17/18) Victoria Yoham (17/18) Kate Courtney (15/16) MacKinzie Stanley (15/16) Josie Nordrum (15/16)
U23 MTB Will Curtis Zach Valdez Riley Predum Will Patterson
U23 Road Nick Newcomb Alec Kassin Nick Kinney Cody Tapley
Coaches Dario Fredrick Abbie Durkee Peter Nicholson Adam Waskow Charlie Schneider Steve Cherry Dave Simon Julia Violich Helene Drumm
The Whole Athlete-Specialized Cycling Team is gearing up for their first team camp of 2011 this coming weekend, Jan 22-23 at the Whole Athlete Performance Center in San Anselmo, CA. On tap are road and MTB rides in beautiful Marin County, yoga classes, organic meals, team sponsor presentations and clinics, and much more. Check out the schedule of events>.
Today we were treated to a personal tour of the always fascinating world of Specialized Bicycle Components. Joined by the Specialized Junior Road Team, we were shown the sights and sounds of the big "S" where much of the magic happens. From creative designs to R & D to computer aided stress testing, it's apparent why Specialized is the innovative leader in the bike world.
Special thanks to Mallory Burda and Nic Simms for hosting our visit!
Whole Athlete-Specialized Team riders showed their class today with multiple victories and podium finishes ranging from high school to collegiate to elite level races.
At the NorCal High School Prologue race in Folsom, CA, Max Houtzager and Taylor Smith went 1-2 in the Varsity race, with Bobby Zidek in 4th and Sven Beer in 10th. Lucas Newcomb and Jonny Kaufman also took 1st and 2nd in Junior Varsity, while Josie Nordrum took the win in JV Girls. Other top finishes include Kate Courtney 3rd, Victoria Yoham 4th, MacKinzie Stanley 5th and Sofia Hamilton 6th in Varsity Girls.
On the collegiate front, Nick Newcomb finished 6th in the Cal Poly TT and Will Curtis took 3rd in the Cal Poly Criterium.
Meanwhile, Kenda Cup Sagebrush Safari, in the San Diego desert, Zach Valdez opened up his first season as a U23 Pro with a strong 4th place at the Sagebrush Safari while Keegan Swenson earned the win in the Cat 1 Junior field!
Check out all the team's 2011 top-10 results here:
