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

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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.

California State Junior Road Champion, Multiple XC Podiums Highlight Weekend for Whole Athlete-Specialized Cycling Team

From Northern to Central California to Wisconsin, and from road to dirt, Whole Athlete-Specialized Juniors topped podiums across states and disciplines.

Already a 2012 California High School Varsity MTB State Champ, Josie Nordrum earned her second state title, this time in the Junior Road Race at San Ardo.

Josie Nordrum, CA Junior State Road and High School MTB Champ.

On the other side of the US in Mt. Morris, Wisconsin, Casey Williams, Jacob Albrecht, Shane Skelton and Silas Blunk all earned podium finishes in the XCT cross country and short track races. 

Casey Williams and Jacob Albrecht take 2nd and 3rd in the Short Track.

Casey Williams 4th, Shane Skelton 5th and Silas Blunk 2nd with their XC podium medals.

Meanwhile back in Santa Rosa, CA, Sarah Ogden earned a victory in the Annadel XC Junior Women's race as Marcus Segedin and Ben Spur took 2nd and 3rd in the Junior Men's field.

Sarah Ogden leads the charge.

Ben Spurr leads teammate Marcus Segedin as they make their way through the field.

Next up, the Junior XC World Championships in Austria Sept. 7-8. Stay tuned for more exciting news!

Three Whole Athlete-Specialized Juniors to Race 2012 World Championships in Austria

 

Kate Courtney, Lucas Newcomb and Casey Williams will be heading to Leogang, Austria next month to represent the US at the 2012 Mountain Bike World Championships. 

Courtney comes off a big win at the Windham World Cup, aiming for a high finish in Austria. Newcomb and Williams also showed their class in Windham, taking 5th and 10th respectively. All three riders go into the World Championships with strong 2012 seasons, European experience, and solid World Cup results. 

Kate Courtney in action at the Nove Mesto (CZE) World Cup.

Lucas Newcomb negotiates the rock garden at the Mont Sainte Anne (CAN) World Cup.

Casey Williams tames the rocks at the Pietermaritzburg (RSA) World Cup.

Stay tuned for more exciting team news!