2011 Racing Season wrap-up (part one)

As we get ready to file our bid for USA Cycling 2011 Team of the Year we have the chance to reflect on many highlights for the team.  We'll chop this one up into a few sections and start with the juniors.  Let's go back to last years winter camp when we shared our goals (and how we did against them)

I - develop and support every teammate (14 junior teammates in total living in four different states; eight upgrades; five events with all riders and successes at each event; directing, encouraging, mentoring, support by the entire team)

II - teach and execute optimal and exemplary teamwork (Valley of the Sun, San Dimas, Sea Otter wins and podium placings through teamwork)

III - win local races, state and national championships with style, class, grace and dignity (58 junior wins in 2011; Nationals TT; Colorado TT; California RRx3; California Crit, California TTx3)

IV - win international events including l'abitibi GC, European events withe USA national team and junior world championships (stage two Tour de l'abitibi; tour of West Flanders)

V - create a following of our winning ways on and off the bike (zero to 3,000 FaceBook fans in 19 months!)

Overall, 2011 has been a good year.  We laid out some aggressive goals which aligned with the talent we have on our roster.  We fell short with the big dreams like Nationals, l'abitibi GC and Jr Worlds but achieved so many other successes along the way.  Every one of our fourteen junior teammates took their cycling game to a new level.  They all have bright futures and it is our hope that they look back on the 2011 racing season with great memories of individual growth and team successes.

Larry Nolan, Team Specialized Junior Director

USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Being a resident of Colorado I was able to spectate the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, or Tour of Colorado.  For those of you who don't know this race was huge because it is the first big tour in Colorado since the Coors Classic ended in the late '80's.  The race was in the mountains most of the week after the start in Colorado Springs on Monday.  The last stage started in Golden and ended with circuits in Denver.  Where I live in Lakewood is pretty much sandwiched between Golden and Denver.  This is the biggest race I had ever been to. The final stage that I watched had over 250,000 people spectating.  The coolest part about the race was that it went up Lookout Mountain, around the two mesas in Golden and then downtown into Denver on the roads I ride all of the time!  I watched the start of the race in Golden and I got to see the Schlecks and Tour champion Cadel Evans among other top level pros.  The finish of the race was at the Civic Center Park which is across the street from the Capitol building.  I couldn't really tell what was happening most the time in the race because the barriers were lined 5 deep for the last straightaway.  It felt like the Tour de France.  

Finishing circuit in Denver 

Aerial View of the finish

Riders going up Lookout Mountain

Just like the AToC Levi won the overall

This race was so much to watch that I can't wait until next year!  The race got upgraded so there will be even more teams and riders next year.  Hopefully one day I can race the USAPCC in my home state!

-Dean Haas