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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Whole Athlete - Specialized Cycling Team Named 2012 Mountain Bike Club of the Year!

For the second year in a row, the Whole Athlete / Specialized Cycling Team has received the prestigious award of USA Cycling's 2012 Mountain Bike Club of the Year.

One of the top Junior / U23 development programs in the country, in 2012 the team earned 88 wins, seven US National Titles, five top-10 World Cup finishes, and the first-ever World Cup victory by a US Junior Woman. And in it's short four-year history, the team has qualified no fewer than nine riders to the World Championships. 

Kate Courtney with her historic win at the Windham, NY World Cup

Marcus Segedin wins the Junior 15/16 National Cross Country Title

 

The Whole Athlete / Specialized Cycling Team is poised to enter the 2013 season with a superb roster of aspiring young cyclists, taking on a National- and World Cup-level race schedule.

To follow all the team's progress, "like" the Whole Athlete Cycling Team on Facebook.

Gorry Strikes Again with Turkey Day 'Cross Victory

Just a few short weeks after earning back-to-back Collegiate National Titles on the mountain bike, Cypress Gorry has successfully transitioned to 'cross season with a win at the 'Cross Off Turkey Day Cyclocross Extravaganza in Raleigh, NC.

Cypress leads the charge on the twisty course.

Gorry has shown the dedication that defines the Whole Athlete / Specialized development program by back from an injury that kept him out of most of the 2012 season. Now at full health and with building form, he has his sights squarely set on Cyclocross U23 Nationals next month.

Stay tuned for more exciting news...

Gorry Wins Two Collegiate National Titles!

After being sidelined with injury for much of 2012, Cypress Gorry is back in a big way, earning both the Cross Country and Short Track D2 Collegiate National Championship Titles in Angel Fire, New Mexico over the weekend.

Cypress goes two for two, winning the short track the day after taking the cross country title.

After a strong start to 2012, Gorry's season was cut short with a leg injury sustained at the La Bresse World Cup in France. True to the Whole Athlete philosophy, his dedication was undeterred as he endured the long process of recovery and retraining back to race form.

Challenging conditions at the technical World Cup course in La Bresse, France.

Gorry's comeback shows the true nature of athletic potential, and he is one of three Whole Athlete-Specialized riders to come back from injury to win a National Title in 2012!

National Champion, Cypress Gorry.

 

As the rest of the team prepares for the 2013 race season, Gorry heads straight into the cyclocross season this fall with renewed confidence and motivation. 

Stay tuned for more exciting news...

Whole Athlete-Specialized Cycling Team Wraps up Best Season Yet

What an amazing season 2012 has been for the Team: 

85 wins, including the first-ever US Junior Women's World Cup victory, four World Cup top-10s, multiple National Champions, seven ProXCT wins, four California State Champions, three Juniors named to the US World Championship Team, and countless podium appearances.

2012 US National medalists: Zach Valdez, Casey Williams, Tony Smith, Lucas Newcomb,
Kate Courtney, Marcus Segedin, & Josie Nordrum

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TEAM MISSION - ACCOMPLISHED

And while the results alone are impressive, the foundation of the team's success truly comes from its underlying mission of dedication, integrity and fun.

Dedication: Riders endure cold rain and hail during the team's January traning camp.

Integrity: Kate Courtney is the first-ever US Junior Woman to win a World Cup.

 

Fun: Cypress Gorry celebrates his Sea Otter Success.

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GIVING BACK

Giving back to the community and resources that sustain us is a key part of the team's mission and recipe for success. Each rider volunteers time to trail-work days, habitat restoration, and service to the community. 

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GRATITUDE

We would like to express our overwhelming gratitude to the program's 2012 sponsors. Your generosity and support have been fundamental to the team's success. Thank you!! 

Whole Athlete

Specialized

Velo Development Foundation

Marin Cyclists

USA Cycling Foundation

Violich Farms

SRAM

Squadra

GU Energy

ProBar

Oakley

Tam Bikes

Rock Tape

Enduro Bearings

Elemental Herbs

Genuine Innovations

NoTubes

LaMarch Sports Chiropractic

Marin Natural Medicine Clinic

Andrea Smith, CMT

RestWise

Bungalow Munch Organic Granola

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2012 TEAM NEWS IN REVIEW

What an amazing season.

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_01-06-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_01-28-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_02-27-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_03-04-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_03-11-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_03-19-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_04-02-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_04-15-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_04-22-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_04-30-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_05-07-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_05-15-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_05-21-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_06-04-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_06-11-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_06-27-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_07-01-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_07-04-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_07-09-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_07-15-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_08-07-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_08-20-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_09-16-12.html

http://wholeathlete.com/team/team_news_flash_09-24-12.html

Team Kickoff Camp Video (January 2012): 

Click image for video

Team Nationals Camp Video (July 2012):

Click image for video

Stay tuned for more exciting news as we approach the 2013 season. In the meantime, you may see us out there emphasizing more of the "fun" part of our mission...

Team Coaches Step Up at Marathon Nationals

With the cross country season having come to an end for the Juniors and U23s, Whole Athlete-Specialized coaches carried the torch this time for one more big event at the USA Cycling MTB Marathon National Championships in Bend, OR.

Take 54 miles of dirt, add over 6000 feet of climbing, and do it at race pace above 5000 ft. elevation and you get the 2012 Marathon Nationals race. The challenging course was truly worthy of a national championship: almost entirely singletrack, a healthy dose of climbing, plenty of sand, dust, and sprinkled with occasional technical rock challenges.

And the team coaches did not disappoint. Every one landed on the podium, including two with national titles.

Helene Drumm earned the 40-49 women's title in convincing fashion, while Liz Pinsker finished with a solid 3rd place.

John Hunt rode to a strong 3rd place finish in only his second MTB event this season.

Matt McCourtney took his second podium in a 2012 National Championship event with a solid 5th place in the very competitive 30-34 field.

Team Director Dario Fredrick successfully defended his 2011 Marathon title on the much more challenging 2012 course.