Team Specialized upgrades

As the 2011 road season starts to wrap up (Nor Cal District Criterium Championships are in Oakland today) we want to reflect back on the great year that our team has enjoyed.

Upgrading from one category to the next is a reflection of a riders progression of skills and abilities but the athletes also need to place well in races to accumulate the points needed for the upgrade. Upgrading Juniors can be a hot topic of discussion. One wants the athlete to get a sense of accomplishment and confidence, but throwing a junior into racing with professionals with more experience, skills, abilities and speed will remind the athlete of just humbling this sport can be!

Team Specialized started 2011 with fourteen teammates. One category four, four category three's, eight category two's and one category one. 2011-to-date the juniors have started 651 events, placed in the top ten in 236 of them, taken a podium placing in 104 events and have won 57 events. Of these 651 events the juniors competed in elite events more often than junior events (383 to 268). In doing so, they prepared themselves for top level national and international events.

Congratulations to all teammates for either upgrading or helping your teammates to upgrade. Eight of 14 Team Specialized teammates upgraded in 2011
2 to 1 - David Benkoski, Torey Philipp, Jeff Perrin, Willy Zellmer,
3 to 2 - Kyle Torres, Jack Maddux, Matt Valencia
4 to 3 - Diego Binatena

Cheers, Larry Nolan, Team Specialized