Hello all,
I am happy to announce that I have reached yet another goal of mine for the 2010 cycling season, even though I'm announcing it in 2011. My final goal was to get picked up by a bigger team, preferably a development team to strengthen and coach me to the ultimate goal of the professional level. Although I haven't signed any contracts yet, I have been invited to race for the GEARGRINDER Pro Development Team based out of Milwaukee.
When Matt and I met early in the spring of 2010 we discussed all of my goals for the season, and though there were many of them, they were all just far enough out of reach to keep me working and close enough that I knew that with the right amount of work and dedication I could reach them.
This new team has produced riders such as Chad Hartley, James Stemper, and Rob White all now serving on the Kenda p/b GEARGRINDER pro team. As I've discussed before, it is my ultimate goal to become a professional and just like these guys listed above, I'd love if this new team could act as a direct stepping stone to the pro team.
Not to leave where I've come from behind, I will continue to race the FF-1 on which I rode on last year. Matt and I just finished the details of the paint scheme this past week and when the pictures come out, you will have to stay posted because it is going to be one of the sickest looking custom bikes in the U.S. I will also have a spare bike from GEARGRINDER that I'll be renting for the season just in case of an accident.
So the cat is out of the box, so to speak. I'm sad to leave the SISUCycles team but happy because I am one step closer to my dream. Matt has been a great help in the short amount of time that I've known him and I know that my relationship with him and the team will not end here. As I said months ago "you can't beat the local experience of a custom build and fit dialed for YOUR body to perform at it's peak. For a truly custom experience, you can't go wrong with SISU." That's the truth.
Thanks again to everyone who has supported me all season. To Matt and Angie, the team, my parents, Sarah and her family, and the entire cycling community in Marquette I'd like to thank you all for everything you've done this year. I look forward to keeping you all up to date with news on the new team and remember to keep your eyes peeled for the new paint job!
Paris-Nice is finally here. Watching the week long epic in March has got me itching for the the spring classics to come. In my book, the classics and France's famed tour run a close 1,2. The order depends on what time of year I'm asked. In the spring, all I want to do is get out and start the cycling season but, up here, old man winter usually still has a stranglehold on things. The excitement of a new season is looming and this year's off season doping allegations are now being enforced. By the time the Tour starts, its July and the early season buzz has usually worn off. But then again, its the Tour. So, which is number one? I've come to the conclusion that ultimately it doesn't matter.
