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Momentum Sports Group, owners and operators of the successful UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, will take their vast experience in team management into the cyclocross arena for the 2015/2016 season with the launch of the Maxxis-Shimano Professional Cyclocross Team. Focusing on a complete schedule of marquee North American races, the team will debut where the cycling industry, media, and retail partners converge each year: Las Vegas, Nevada’s Cross Vegas (UCI World Cup) event, in conjunction with the 2015 Interbike trade show.
Racing for the Maxxis-Shimano Pro Cyclocross Team will be Danny Summerhill, Luke Keough, Erica Zaveta, and Cari Higgins. A selfless teammate on the road for his UnitedHealthcare Blue Train brothers, Danny Summerhill brings tremendous bike handling skills and a long list of impressive results to the new cyclocross program, including a U23 national championship title and multiple UCI victories in 2014 (Derby Cup day 1 & 2, Cincy3 Harbin Park). Perhaps best known as a track racer and lead out specialist for the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, Cari Higgins brings a strong work ethic and a powerful sprint to the Maxxis-Shimano Cyclocross Team. Erica Zaveta joins the squad from BMW p/b Happy Tooth road cycling team and Amy D Foundation cyclocross team, where she turned heads with a breakthrough 2014-2015 season, consistently improving her results throughout her first professional season and taking a major UCI victory at the 2014 Gateway Cross Cup.
Luke Keough comes from a cyclocross dynasty in the New England states, where he has amassed numerous victories (5x Cyclesmart Intl Winner) and a loyal following within the cyclocross community. Now located in Colorado Springs and known as a dangerous sprinter and tactician for the UnitedHealthcare Blue Train, look for Luke to bring high-speed finesse to the program, thanks to his background in BMX and ten years of cyclocross racing experience. The team will be managed by Rachel Heal, experienced sporting director of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team headed to Wisconsin for a long weekend of of top-tier criterium racing at the famous Tour of America’s Dairyland, a staple on the US criterium calendar, running from June 17th through June 26th. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team women took part in the action from June 22nd to 26th, making their mark on stages 6 through 10. The men joined their teammates on the final two stages to swoop in and help dominate the racing on June 25th and 26th.
Tour of America's Dairyland - Downer Classic
Tour of America’s Dairyland – Downer Classic
JUNE 22: The UnitedHealthcare Blue Train Women Arrive, Take 1st and 2nd in Race the Harbor Criterium
After churning out result after result with the UnitedHealthcare Blue Train at the recent U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic, guest rider Katie Compton joined the squad again for the Tour of America’s Dairyland. The chemistry was just right on Tuesdaywhen Compton, a multi-time national cyclocross champion, took to the front on the final lap and sprinted to victory on the streets of Port Washington, Wisconsin with UnitedHealthcare Blue Train sprinter Coryn Rivera just behind her in second place and Cari Higgins following in fourth. The 1-2 podium punch would set the tone for the following days, as the wins would keep coming from the powerful squad.
JUNE 23: The Blue Train Women make it 2-for-2 with a Perfect Podium Sweep at Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic; Tamayo’s Stars and Stripes Cross the Line First
After their powerful debut at Race the Harbor Criterium, the women of the UnitedHealthcare Blue Train proved they were just getting started as the racing moved over to Shorewood, Wisconsin. Mixing up the famous blue and white leadout train but generating an even more impressive result on their second day of racing, the squad sent the red, white, and blue jersey of current US national criterium champion Lauren Tamayo across the line first, with teammates Katie Compton and Coryn Rivera hot on her wheel to lock in the podium sweep in a true display of force. Coryn Rivera sprinted clear of the field to win the Cannon Falls Road Race on Thursday evening. The 71-mile road race formed the third stage of the North Star Grand Prix, the six-stage criterium and road even centred around Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The racing got underway late after a crash in the men’s event closed the course for more than 20 minutes. By the time the women’s event got rolling, the course had been shortened by 12 miles. The diversion did not affect the racing, however. After a rolling route through the farm lands east of the Twin Cities, the race returned to the town of Cannon Falls for four suburban circuits. The pace quickened dramatically as the finish approached. These successive attacks thinned the pack, leading to a reduced bunch coming into the finish.
Team Tibco took over proceedings coming into the finish, but despite launching her sprint early, Rivera was able to pull away from the bunch and come across the line with room to spare. Shawn Morelli Selected to Represent United States at 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
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Shawn Morelli of The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team has been selected to represent the United States in competition at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Morelli, reigning World Champion in the time trial, road race, and track pursuit disciplines, had a stellar performance at this past weekend’s Olympic Trials in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she clocked the fastest WC4 category time on the 21.9km course. The result secured her place on the 18-strong team of paralympic cyclists who will make the trip to Rio, a first for the the Army Veteran who began racing just a few years ago.
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Thanks to strong performances throughout the last four years, Team USA will bring the largest team of any country attending the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. “Our athletes and coaching staff have worked really hard on the program over the past four years, and as a team, we’ve become the best in the world,” said Ian Lawless, high performance director for U.S. Paralympics Cycling. “The roster includes a mix of returning athletes and new talent, which when combined, translates to one amazing team. We expect to exceed our performance from London and to see some amazing performances in Rio.” Read the full news release from Team USA here.
Reflecting on her selection, Morelli was elated to make the cut and honored to represent her country on the World stage, “To compete in the Rio at the games is a dream come true. Something so many kids dream about and athletes strive for. It will be an honor to represent the USA.”
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Morelli joined the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team for 2016 and has been an inspiring member of the program throughout the year. For training and experience, Morelli joined her teammates in her first UCI professional stage race, the Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas this past April. The 2016 Paralympic Games will take place from September 7th to 18th. About the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team and Momentum Sports Group
The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team is an American professional road cycling team comprised of riders and staff from all over the world, with ambitious goals on and off the racecourse. The men and women of the team race at the highest level all around the world, from historic, century-old European road races known as “classics,” to breathtaking, fast-paced criteriums that take place in cities and towns all over the United States. Each rider has a different background and role within the team, but the goal on the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team is always the same– setting a positive example through teamwork, dedication, and hard work.
Proudly representing UnitedHealthcare for the seventh consecutive year, the team provides an opportunity to help promote the benefits of exercise, nutrition and healthy living to individuals across the country. A professional cyclist’s diet, training regiment, and healthy lifestyle are good examples of the values UnitedHealthcare promotes, along with innovation and performance, which are critically important in the competitive sport of cycling.
Whether winning races in far away lands, or teaching children at your local elementary school how to safely ride a bicycle around the neighborhood, the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team aims to make a difference, and invites you to roll with us.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is the largest single health carrier in the United States. We’re honored to provide health benefits and services to members enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, as well as those who purchase their own health plans. Our mission is to help people live healthier lives, and we strive to accomplish this by empowering our members to take a more active role in their own health care. That’s why we are proud to support the men and women cyclists who are a part of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team, their dedication to the sport and their commitment to constant improvement help inspire us all to bike our way to better health.
About Momentum Sports Group LLC
Based in Oakland, California, Momentum Sports Group, LLC, (MSG) the owner and operator of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, is an organization dedicated to the growth and management of sports and entertainment assets worldwide. Since 2003, MSG has owned and operated one of the most successful teams in the sport of professional cycling, the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team.
A Team sponsor since 2009, UnitedHealthcare assumed title sponsorship of the Team in 2010, and the U.S. based Pro Continental outfit will continue to race as the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team through the 2016 season.
Ty Magner of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team doubled up this weekend at the Air Force Cycling Classic to win both stages and also take the overall victory for the weekend. Coryn Rivera was victorious on Saturday, and took second place on Sunday’s race to also win the overall title in the women’s competition.
Taking place in Arlington, Virginia, the Air Force Cycling Classic featured two exciting criteriums on streets lined with fans. The Clarendon Cup opened the racing on Saturday, offering a tight 1-km course in the heart of Arlington’s Clarendon business district. With dozens of restaurants, coffee shops and other businesses, the venue proved popular on a warm weekend, and saw thousands of spectators out on the streets.
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Ty Magner took the victory in Saturday’s men’s event, after lapping the field with three of his teammates. A dangerous move with 16 riders went clear early on in the racing. With all the major teams represented, the move was given a long leash and eventually made its way around to lap the pack. Representing the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team were Magner, Carlos Alzate, Luke Keough, and Brad White. After a strong pull on the front by the Cylance Team, the Blue Train assembled and pulled into the home straight with a huge head of steam. Carlos Alzate formed the last link in the chain, delivering Magner to a unchallenged victory, and then following across the line to take second himself. Brad White also found the podium, coming across in fourth place.
The women’s race unfolded in a much different fashion, with no breaks able to stay clear of a motivated pack. The Blue Train rode a steady race, sharing the brunt of the work with the Tibco team. As the pace hotted up, it was left to Criterium National Champion Lauren Tamayo to do the work in the finale. On her wheel was Coryn Rivera, who bided her time and launched a perfect sprint to win the race.
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The second day of the Air Force Cycling Classic was the battle for the Crystal Cup, but also the competition to determine the overall winner of the two-day omnium. The 1.3-km circuit in downtown Arlington had less technical interest than the previous day, but still allowed for the escape of a strong breakaway in the men’s event. Ty Magner was at the front once again, and made a strong move in a break of seven riders. Not content with the way the group was working together, Magner attacked solo and lapped the field, before being joined by his break companions. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team quickly regrouped behind Magner to focus on the win. The Blue Train again shared the work with the Cylance team, but took control in the final laps to ensure Magner was delivered cleanly to the line. The plan was executed cleanly, giving Magner a second victory in two days, and also wrapping up the omnium victory.
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In the women’s race, a dramatic finale saw Rivera take second place, but secure the overall victory in the Omnium competition.
Cari Higgins represented the team in an early breakaway, but once that move was brought back, it was down to a sprint for the win. Lauren Tamayo strung the race out with an attack with one lap to go, and forced the peloton to chase hard to close it down. Rivera benefited greatly, utilising the leadout train of the Tibco team to launch her sprint. Although Rivera crossed the line first, she was relegated to second place after a line deviation in the all-out sprint. Nevertheless, the result put Coryn on top of the podium for the omnium after a weekend of close-fought racing. Mike Tamayo, The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team’s General Manager, was pleased with the weekend’s racing in Virginia, “The whole team is riding at full potential. It’s great to see the Blue and White on the top of the podium.” In the eight-stage Tour de Langkawi that finished last Wednesday, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling was one of the standouts, with the American Pro Continental outfit leaving Malaysia with one stage win – by American sprinter John Murphy in stage 3 – victory in the teams classification, Colombian Daniel Jaramillo's second place overall, while Slovakian Janez Brajkovic and Clarke placed 11th and 12th overall respectively, and American Tanner Putt won the daily most combative rider award on stages 6 and 7.
It brought to an end a successful trip for the American team that had earlier raced well in the Herald Sun Tour of Victoria in Australia where Murphy won stage 3 to Inverloch, Putt was second on stage 2 to Moe, and Clarke placed sixth overall after a third on the final stage to Arthur's Seat.
"We had a great week," Clarke, 31, told Cyclingnews of their Tour de Langkawi in which the goal was to win a stage at the start, but at one point also saw them eyeing up a tilt at the overall win with a planned three-pronged attack by Jaramillo, Brajkovic and Clarke on stage 4 to the Cameron Highlands.
The latter challenge eluded them. None of the trio could follow Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana), who won that stage and took the yellow leader's jersey – only to lose it to South African Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (Dimension Data) two days later and finish third overall behind a victorious Janse van Rensburg and Jaramillo.
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But Jaramillo and Clarke tried to match Lopez in the Cameron Highlands finish before placing second at 30 seconds and fifth at 35 seconds, respectively, while Brajkovic was 10th at the same time as Clarke; yet all with their confidence intact. "All week we had good moral and it's been a good start to the year," Clarke said.
"[The Cameron Highlands finish] was a bit bittersweet for me. I ended up going with Lopez and then I couldn't stay with him. But 'Danny' salvaged our stage, but it was good to have three in the mix.
"Even [on stage 7] on the climb when it split [after 25km], we had six guys on the front [Putt in a break and others in the first peloton.]
"We had a good week. There are less of these weeks than bad ones."
The road ahead
The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling men's team have not only been racing in Australia and Malaysia. They have been racing in the Tour of Taiwan that finishes on Thursday and in which Colombian Carlos Alzate finished second on stage 1 and Italian sprinter Marco Canola placed second on stage 2 and fourth on stage 3.
The team have also raced in the Tour de San Luis in Argentina in January that was highlighted by fifth place in the stage 1 team time trial, and in February at the Tour of Qatar, and then at the Tour of Oman in which Canola placed third in stage 5.
But the US team will now focus on the American races, notwithstanding, the Tour of Turkey from April 24 to May 1 is still on the team's website calendar.
It is sill a crucial shift in thinking. A European spring often drained their riders for a US return.
Clarke's season began in Australia at the Australian road titles in January, where he placed 12th in the time trial and 15th in the road race and 15th again in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Geelong, Victoria.
But he now wants to be as best prepared as possible for the Joe Martin Memorial stage race in Arkansas (April 21-24), the Tour of Gila in New Mexico (May 4-8) and the Tour of California (May 15-22).
"In other years we have been really good now and have gone to Europe," Clarke said. "By California we have been under the thumb. We were doing some fantastic races, but we were spread too thin and couldn't get results.
"We have dialled the program back and the races we do we are getting results in."
Clarke, who lives in the US in Ashville, North Carolina, plans for three weeks of high altitude training before racing again.
"It's the first time I have been able to do a training block in March and April for California," Clarke said. "I have usually been getting my butt kicked in at Belgium and then trying to front up at California, and have been no good.
"So I am going to go to altitude and really dial it in for Gila and California."
WorldTour ambitions
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team manager Hendrik Redant believes the team's performances at the Herald Sun Tour and Tour de Langkawi will have done wonders for their self-belief.
Based on those results and also on past campaigns in Europe, Redant, a former Belgian professional, believes the team can develop into a WorldTour player.
At least, that is his hope.
"Oh yes …," Redant told Cyclingnews.
"We [have been] working on that for several years. It's all about the money of course. In a WorldTour team, you need quite some budget.
"At this point we are till looking for some sponsorships.
"Our aim is to go on the big WorldTour level, riding all those Classics.
"Last year we did Paris-Roubaix, [Giro di] Lombardia … races like that; but of course, doing the whole set of the WorldTour races would be something else.
"The South Africans [now team Dimension Data] aimed high and they are now in there. That is one of our goals.
"I would like to take these guys up to there. They already could taste a few races.
"They have been doing a 'Euro' program over the last four years.
"It has not been all the real top classics, but still we have nice races and hard races, so they have tasted how it is … that ambience, that stress, and that victory minded public.
"So yeah … that's our goal."
Redant's belief in his team was boosted by their performance in Paris-Roubaix two years ago. He said the team that raced that 'Hell of the North' were "completely inexperienced" and did so "with material that was at that time limited."
It was not their results that impressed him so, but their attitude as a team - an attitude that he believes still exists today. "They all finished because they wanted to finish," Redant recalled.
"We were one of the only teams to finish with all eight riders.
"I was so proud. I knew that for them it was really something special. That spirit, 'I want to finish Paris-Roubaix' … that was there and I loved that.
"We had so many punctures and bad luck but still all our guys were there and made me feel proud.
"That is because those guys know what it means to race a Paris-Roubaix, to race it to the finish …
"It's an honour to do it and I loved that attitude they had. So [next time] let's go for an even stronger better team and let's go and aim for a win."
There are certainly riders on the team who have ambitions of racing WorldTour. And Clarke is definitely one of them.
"All my career I've dreamed of riding in the WorldTour, except now it is not a dream," Clarke said. "It's a clear-cut objective."