Another World Cup Top-10, XC Podiums for Nationals Camp Riders

Kate Courtney rides to another World Cup top-10 finish in Monte Sainte Anne, Canada, finishing in 6th despite torturous conditions on the wet, extremely technical course. Lucas Newcomb followed suit with a strong 13th place in his first-ever World Cup. 

Lucas Newcomb rides to 13th in his first-ever World Cup.

A determined Kate Courtney.

Meanwhile, as the rest of the riders prep for Nationals at the team's high elevation training camp, the first test at the Sawtooth Challenge in Truckee (Lake Tahoe) saw the junior boys sweep the podium and junior girls go 1st and 3rd.

The Junior Boys sweep the Sawtooth podium, with Sean Bennett, Silas Blunk and Marcus Segedin 1-2-3.

Sean Bennett and Silas Blunk in action.

Mackinzie Stanley and Sarah Ogden go 1st and 3rd in the Sawtooth Challenge.

 

Next stop for the team is the World Cup in Windham, NY for Kate Courtney, Lucas Newcomb, Jacob Albrecht, Casey Williams and Shane Skelton, while the rest of the team will compete in the Galena Grinder XC in Sun Valley, ID as final prep for the National Championships next week.

Next stop, Sun Valley, ID!

Stay tuned for more exciting developments from Windham, NY and Sun Valley, ID here.

Five Juniors World Cup-Bound, Team Preps for Nationals with High Elevation Camp

No fewer than five Whole Athlete-Specialized Team Juniors will compete at the highest level of the sport at the two upcoming North American World Cups on June 24th and 30th in Monte Sainte Anne, Canada and Windham, NY. 

The Junior Women's World Cup start in LaBresse, France.

Coming off a top-10 at her first-ever World Cup in Nove Mesto, CZE, Kate Courtney looks to build on her breakout result with strong rides in Canada and New York. 

Kate Courtney rides to a World Cup top-10 finish in Nove Mesto, CZE

2011 US World Championship team member and World Cup veteran Casey Williams also looks to earn valuable UCI points and make the 2012 World's Team selection with his performances.

Casey Williams negotiates the rock garden in the Pietermaritzburg, RSA World Cup

Shane Skelton and Lucas Newcomb also seek to take their recent successful European race experience up a notch, while NorCal High School Varsity Champ Jacob Albrecht steps his ever-improving game up to the international level. 

Shane Skelton on his way to the top step of the podium in the Bonelli Park ProXCT short track

Lucas Newcomb rides into the top-10 in the Swiss Cup in Bern

NorCal High School Varsity Champion Jacob Albrecht in his best season yet

Meanwhile, the rest of the team will be working equally hard to prepare for the rigors of racing at the National Championships in Sun Valley, ID with the team's fourth annual three-week high elevation training camp. Starting in South Lake Tahoe then onto Sun Valley, ID, the young riders will follow a schedule of daily yoga, epic riding, optimal nutrition and team camaraderie.

Lake Tahoe provides the backdrop for the team's fourth annual altitude camp

Load 'em up and and move 'em out!

Follow the team's adventures over the next few weeks here.
Stay tuned for more exciting developments!

Valdez Wins Big Bear US Cup Final, Newcomb and Nordrum Top-10 in Europe

Zach Valdez takes his fourth win of the season at the Big Bear US Cup Final Pro Cross Country Race. At only 20, Zach has already established himself as one of the most promising U23 riders in the country.

Zach on his way to a fourth Pro victory in his best season yet.

Meanwhile across the Atlantic, Josie Nordrum, Lucas Newcomb and Shane Skelton were busy competing with some of the world's best Juniors in Belgium and Switzerland. 

Lucas works his way into the top-10 on the muddy course.

 

In her first European Foray, Josie took two top-5 finishes with 4th and 5th in Malmedy (BEL) and Bern (SWI), while Lucas took a hard-earned 7th in a cyclocross-like mudfest in Bern. Shane rode a strong, consistent race to finish 12th in the highly competitive Malmedy XC.

Josie gets psyched up for a tough race ahead.

Check out all the team's 2012 top-10 results here.

Next up is the high altitude team training camp in preparation for the XC National Championships in Sun Valley, ID. Stay tuned for more info!