Midwest by Todd Powell
Gene Oberpriller "Geno" is the Midwest's local Golden Boy and now pushing 35
is still on with Bianchi-Martini. Three years now and still no plans to move
to Italy, hell he even drinks wine (California RED, I hear). Joe Parkin, 29
year old Iowa star, hammers daily on the Ross-Jeep Team. Not that Eric Bartz
is any young pup. Sure riding for Schwinn is major dish on his, get this,
"Bass Boat Blue" home grown hard tail. He eats the snow and cold on the late
winter Minnesota Cyclocross series. Jeff Hall, the man in Ned Overend's
nightmares, is again with Breezer. Major slashing on the national scene, good
legs phenomenal lasting power. Can you say Olympics in 98? (Or are they in
2000?) George Hayes is on the Bennetts. Bob Boyd looks to be riding with a
ProFlex on a ProFlex-Bennetts ticket. The major loss to the real world was
Scott Hebal. Yes, the man that almost beat Lemond two years running. One year
with a broken wrist. Major insane former national DBR rider once sporting a
#1 ranking. Sad to say lost to the real world job thing. We love you Scott,
it's just so sad. Flat City Cycle Team by PENN Cycle fields major players in
Chad Swanson, Pat Dowling and Andy Dahl. They also are in bed with the
National Bianchi team but Pat does not pick up their bar bills when in town.
Erik's Bike Team has Todd Heiser in the major role with JP Lamere and up and
comers Tim "Chuck" Norrie and Josh Peterson. Chuck on his third year in
expert and has been improving every year while Josh has been exploding into
expert places. Nice guys, massive potential.
Women bikers include Sharyn Szczech in expert. Still in top form will be
competing with Tricia Zeigle for the #1 spot. Waiting in the wings is Cindy
Bijold. She has been the premier woman mountain biker forever in the mid
west. She won Chequamegon last year and can always be expected to win any
race she enters. Lisa Strand is also a wild card Habenero's big Welch race &
Chequamy favorite bagel is honey-grain. Other independents include Chequamy
killer Marnie Laser, solid Tracy Horner, ever consistent Becky Fuller and
recent Indiana Alum Katie Lindquist. Katie and Dave Wakefield won the 40 mile
Chequamegon mixed tandem event last year and in Dave's words, "Thank God she
carried the bike up the hills so I could work out my cramps." Ya never know.
Women's mountain biking has a new venue -- Cindy Bijold and Cindy Storm are
putting on a "Women's Mountain Bike Clinic" (612-440-6394) this year on May
3rd in Minneapolis Minnesota. These two know biking. They can drop a riding
club in a blink of an eye and that's that. They will work with beginners to
advanced getting more women into mountain biking. The truth is we need lots
of this everywhere. It's tough to encourage women in a sport that is full of
testosterone freak male adrenaline junkies. I'm guilty but hell I have a
seven year old daughter itching to race and I don't want her to have to put
up with some of the crap I see out there today. Make a difference.
The sport category sports Eileen, Barb Tylee-Hall and Julie Lundgren as solid
contenders with Fiona Lockhart picking away. Barb Tylee-Hall is also the
captain of the combined Erik's Bike Team and damn lucky they are to have her.
She puts on the Winter Race Series, Spring Cup at Buck and the Savage Turkey
Race. Killer road rider too.
Racers note if you are race bound the places to stop are "Shenanigan's" in
Rochester Minnesota, the A&W in Grantsburg Wisconsin and of course that
'Papa's' Italian Pizza place in Duluth.
Team Grimace
Team Grimace hails from Wells, Maine. Sponsors include Breton's Bike Shop,
Spooky, PowerBar, DeFeet, Fishman Enterprises, Speedplay, Lake Shoes and Bell
Helmets. You can find them at: www.fman.com/grimace
Team managers include Alan Foley, Liz Kelley and Beau Lambert. Team members
include: Chuck Bedirian, Dan Brassard, Phillip Breton, Michael Dennett, DavidField, Dave Hamel, Adam Kacavas, Breeze Keller, Tim List, Mike Lytle, Matt
Maroni, Ryan Roy, Ollie Stiler-Cote, Justin Titcomb, Dustin Williams. Team
Mom is Holly Breton and Team Mechanic is Claude Breton.
Team Rock 'n Road
Expert Men: Paul Walsh, Bill Trautz, Doug Dykstra, Dan Thropp, Steve Pisauro,
Kevin Kielty, Owen Speulstra. Sport Men: Bob Wolverton. Expert Vets: Don
Attanasi, Neil Sauerwein. Sponsors: Condit Ford, Coyote Bike and Ski Shop,
Sheridan's Lodge, Norval, GEOD Corp., The Woodland Group and Hampton Nautilus
Health Club.
Team GT
GT Bicycles proudly introduces its 1997 professional mountain bike team. They
feel that this is perhaps the best team ever assembled. New additions include
World cross country champ Jerome Chiotti, '96 US Olympic team members Alison
Dunlap and Greg Randolph, and British DH champ Steve Peat. Returning for
another season are Juli Furtado, David Baker, Marc Gullickson, Mercedes
Gonzalez, Mike King and Hans Rey. New notable sponsors are Nike, Acura, ESQ
(Movado), Alcoa and Michelin.
Team Tattoo
I manage a trophy team - home track - Rockford Illinois.The sponsor for my
team is JG's Tattoo Company. So henceforth my riders take crap from everyone
from track officials to Joey's mom, saying riding bicycles has no room for
tattoos.
I have been told people find it offensive, I always tell them you can not get
a tattoo unless you are 21 years old. Our sponsor is a respectable business
man who is doing his best to help 13 riders do their best! We have three
riders who are only 18 and none of them have tattoos.
So rather than go off on these people and add to the image, I've decided on a
project, making a collage. I would like to have any pictures of riders with
tattoos and/or piercings. I know some of the best riders out their are
sporting tattoos. It is hard to get these considering most are wearing riding
gear.
Hey! help us out here. Please send any photos to Kelly Bunge, Team Manager at
5624 Walker Ave., Loves Park, IL. 61111. And when you come to the Mid-West
Nationals in Rockford IL - please come on over and say hey! - Steve Hedges
Team Ritchey
Ritchey Design and Team Ritchey are proud to announce the signing of Caroline
Alexander and Chrissy Redden to Team Ritchey. Caroline is an experienced
rider who knows the circuit and knows how to win. Redden, just a second year
pro, brings fresh new blood to Ritchey and the hopes of a future champion.
These two top pro women will be joining Thomas Frischknecht and Andres
Brenes.
Team Ritchey is a mountain bike racing team that competes in events all
around the world. The international roster is lead by Olympic Silver
medalist, Thomas Frischknecht of Switzerland and has contained riders from
all over the world including Denmark, Canada, Costa Rica ,the United Kingdom
and the US. Team Ritchey is the longest running and most successful mountain
bike racing team in the history of the sport. We expect this years roster
will continue the team's winning tradition. Team Ritchey will officially
debut at the Sea Otter Classic, March 22-23 in Monterey, CA.
Team Jamis
The 1997 Team Jamis squad is assembled entirely of returning team members
including title holders Max Lawson, Kyle Dixon and Lynda Wallenfalls. Both in
their second year with Team Jamis, dual slalom star Jen "Zoomin' Zeuner" and
trials JJ Gregorowicz are looking to the stars and stripes in '97. Cheryl
Moores, a founding Team Jamis member, advanced to the pro class after a
fantastic '96 season that included two dozen wins. In its fifth anniversary,
Team Jamis will also support ten experts and the 200 strong Jamis Backyard
Team grassroots program.
Semi-Pro Roster: Brad Erickson, Matt Estes, Fabio Cordosa, Jon Shell, Greg
Padley and Jay Henry. Team Jamis National Manager, James F. Swasey. Team
Jamis Head Mechanic, Eric Wolff.
Beginning in early 1997 the Jamis Backyard Team will offer special pricing on
bicycles and clothing to affiliated Jamis Backyard Dealers. These benefits
will be passed on the Backyard team members. Any racer, after filling out an
application and being approved by a Jamis Backyard Dealer, can become a
member. Team members, after paying a $50 membership fee, will receive one
team uniform, a Team Jamis video and a Jamis training log. Each of the Jamis
Backyard Dealers will field a team of up to 10 riders who will compete in a
minimum of ten events each season. For more information contact: Greg Padley
@ 201-768-9050 ext. 210.
Team Diamondback
Diamondback will be supporting five professional cross country riders
comprising their 1997 DBR team. Team members who will compete on the World
Cup and NORBA levels will include Australian National Champion Cadel Evans,
Chantal Knapp, English National Champion Nick Craig, former Jr. World
Champion Jimi Killen and Gunnar Shogren. The DBR team will race the 1997
Zetec Pro and the full suspension V-Link Pro. The team will be managed by
Keith Ketterer. Head mechanic is Scot Stewart. New to the team is soigneur
Wendi Johnson.
Diamondback Southeastern
In conjunction with supporting bicycle dealers in the southeast, Diamondback
has formed a team of elite and expert riders who will be promoting the sport
of mountainbiking through a grass roots program of seminars and riding
clinics held at major mountain bike events in north Florida, Alabama, Georgia
and the Carolinas.
The team roster includes Jim Brock-expert vet, Chris Brown-expert, David
Frye-expert, Chad Hungerford-elite, Bob Kassow-expert vet, Gary Wyatt-expert.
The team is managed and coached by Bob Kassow.
Team Kona
Kona Mountain Bikes has expanded their teams. In the US there are now four
professionals and ten pro-development riders. Changes and additions to the
Factory Team for 1997 include: hiring an outstanding professional female
racer; completely redesigning the appearance of team clothing, hiring a team
director and buiding a new marketing and promotions plan around the Factory
Teams.
Max Jones will continue as the Kona Factory Team Manager. Galen Rockenbach is
also back as team mechanic and new team director is Ronald Hayman. Team
roster includes: Roland Green/Victoria BC, Leslie Hunter/Peterborough, ON,
Seamus McGrath/Guelph, ON; Trich Sinclair/Victoria, BC; Lesley
Tomlinson/North Vancouver, BC, and Salem Mazzawy, Peter Wedge and Dave Weins
of the US.
Team Mongoose
Mongoose bicycles has announced that national downhill champions Leigh
Donovan and Brian Lopes will return to the Mongoose team for the 1997 season.
"Both Leigh and Brian will be gunning to defend their national titles and to
take on the world scene with a run at the World Cup and World Championship
titles," says team manager Sean Watkins
Rounding out the Mongoose racing staff along with Watkins will be mechanic
Craig "Stickman" Glaspell and soigner Suzanne Sonye.
Team Scooter's
A-Team: Rob Boyd (team captain), Matt Simon (team manager), Brian Hackford,
Mark Nolt, Zach Allen, Kirk Palermo, Shane O'Shura, Jason Snyder. B-Team:
George Gaugler, Chas Cloud, Ian Hertzler, Jeff Allen, John Stemler, Eric
Mattern, Ricky Kay, Ben Landis, Randy Thomas, Drew Baskin.
Team Fellini
Team Fellini has an aggressive and full race schedule planned this year to
include: cross country, downhill, dual slalom and road racing. With the help
of Paul Schneider, owner of Fellini Pizzeria and by Providence Bicycle, the
team is prepared to take on another grueling year of racing.
Team members include: Rob Breault (sport), Jessie Bushnell (elite), Becky
Forcier (sport), Keith Goulet (expert), Alex Little (expert), Frank Petty
(elite), Kathy Rodrigues (expert & team manager), and Nick Schneider (sport).
Team Gonzo
Gonzo Components, Inc. is sponsoring a new women's Masters MTB Race team for
the 1997 season. The Gonzo/Awareness Team will be made up entirely of Breast
Cancer Survivors. The team of 8-12 women will race in about 30 events. The
Gonzo/Awareness Team will demonstrate to women the world over that they can
lead full and active lives after breast cancer. For additional information
e-mail: gonzousa!mindspring.com or check out the web page:
www.mindspring.com/~gonzousa
Team Alpine Designs
Alpine Designs MTB will be the title sponsor for two top professional
mountain bike competitors in the Northwest -- Jolanda Van Ooyen and Caleb
Stolte. Both racers will ride the Alpine Designs Steely Man frames in the pro
class cross country events. Caleb will race the Phat Cat Full Suspension
frame in the elite downhill events.
Team Alpine Designs is currently seeking an additional title sponsor for 1997
season. All interested parties should contact Alpine Designs at
1-800-263-9373.
Bio Wheels Racing
Bio Wheels Racing (BWR) is sponsored by Bio Wheels Workshop in Cincinnati,
Ohio. This year's roster includes: Expert A Team - Chris Scott, Kevin
Caldwell, Phil Noble, Greg Dunn, Andy Knorr, Matt Johnson, Matt Hoyes, Matt
Bell, Annie Brown, Paula Maresh, Barbie Metz and Ginger Morel. Expert B Team
- Nick Sapp, Mike Boron, Eric Krause, Donnie Harries, Ryan Waldo, Bridget
Donovan, Charla Graveel and Joe Moore. Sport/Vet C Team - Derek Fenner, Any
Martin, Jeff Stegman, Tony Tapay, John Wyrick, Kim Humphries, Jason Hill,
Drew Deters, Gil Gallagher, Ingrid Carlson and Tim Humbert. Observed Trials -
Annie Brown and Derek Fenner.
Habanero Bicycle Club
Back for the sixth year this Menneapolis, MN club is named after the hottest
chile pepper known. The Habanero's is the largest racing oriented club in the
twin cities with over 60 members, including 13 women. Racers include: Experts
- John Crawford, Steve Eberly, Joe Funk, Matt Huron, Mike Pederson, Craig
Rudd, Marian Delaney, Lisa Strand. Sport - Adam Bergman, Ben Bodenhamer, Tom
Delaney, Eric Finney, Jake Frenz, Gary Friedell, Josh Holst, Seth Klienglass,
Jeff Klem, Will McLaughlin, Paul Okner, Mark Westlake, Melissa Krutchen,
Eileen LaFontaine, Rebecca Schmidt, Amanda Shanight, Becky Westlake.
The club stresses rider development and making racing and riding fun for all.
The club also sponsors a weekly Tuesday night time trial series in the
summer. For additional information call the Habanero hotline at 612-229-3157.
Team Armadillo
Roster includes Matt Ferguson-sport, Shari Hausbeck-pro/elite, Brian
Caron-pro/elite, Greg McMilland-expert XC/Pro DS, DH; Tom McMillan Sport
XC/Pro DS, DH; Shawn Adamski-expert, David Lakatos-team manager, Dan
Lakatos-expert, Jamie Walker-expert, Eric Adams-sport, Brad Wagner-sandbagger,
Jan Dupre-sport.
Sponsors include Armadillo Mountain Bike Gear, PACE Sportswear, DRAFT MASTER,
Sterling Schwinn, Rocky Mountain Outfitters, MWP & Coyote Design.
Team Volvo/Cannondale
Two new riders have been added and two have parted from the perenially strong
team. Say hello to Cyrille Bonnand of France and Oscar Saiz of Spain. And say
good bye to our countrymen Sara Ellis and Frank Roman.
Returning to the team are Alison Sydor, Missy Giove, Myles Rockwell, Kim
Sonier and Kenichi Nebashima, Tinker Juarez, Anabella Stropparo. Libor Karas
and Martyn Ashton do that trialsin thang.
Other squad members include: Tom Schuler-Staff GM, Dave Debus-Head Mechanic,
Tom McIntyre, Todd Nance - Mechanics, Charlie Livermore-team manager,
Stephanie Graham-head trainer, Kevin Eccles-promotions coordinator.
Team Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers, entering its third season, is based out of The Sports People in
Far Hills, NJ. With a large roster of 35 active riders, this well-organized
squad does more than just race. The team runs a junior development program
and participates in several local cummunity events. And, local racers will be
pleased to learn that Toy Soldiers is continuing its popular neutral tech
support program in 1997.
The following support the Toy Soldiers team: The Sports People, Bedminster
Chiropractic, Xercise, White Lightning, Bianchi, Serfas, Continental,
PowerBar, Mavic, Answer, Sidi, Syncros, XLR8, Giro, Camelbak.
Nautilus Nutritionals/Barracuda
Nautilus Nutritionals has joined up with Barracuda Bicycles of Farmingdale,
NY to form this new team. The team is run by veteran General Manager Charles
Aaron. The team roster includes Joe Parkin, Lisa Sher, Jeff Bickness, Mike
Jennelle and current Australian National points leader Tim Bennett. Technical
coordinator is seasoned wrench Matt Kelly, marketing coordinator is Craig
Harrison.
Co-sponsors of the team include Jeep, Weinmann, Sachs, Giordana, Shock Works,
Diadora, Avocet, Pro Grip, Dollar Rent-a-Car, Hutchinson, Wellgo, Magura,
Bell helmets, DT, Koooka, Ringle, Profile and Malstrom.
Team World Force
World Force (formerly Azonic) announces its downhill team: Wayne Croasdale,
Tattoo Lou DeAngelis, J.P. Sickler, Tracy Oswell. The team will ride the
World Force VR1 downhill frame. The frames will be equipped with Marzocchi
and C-50 coil over rear shocks. Team World Force is sponsored by Shimano,
Magura, Full Speed Ahead, AirWalk, Tioga, Vigor Helmets, SDG.
Team Trek/Volkswagen East Factory
Trek has signed 22 of the top pro, semi-pro and expert racers on the east
coast. The team will cover events from Maine to North Carolina, focusing on
AMBC, NCS and regional events.
Co-sponsors include Champps, Comcast Metrophone, Nike, Oakley, Rock Shox,
Spinergy, Sweet Parts, Ride On Cables, Continental, Real Designs and Chris
King.
The roster includes Roger Bird, Chris Scott, Mike Yozell, David Duvall,
Melissa Reddington, Theresa Morningstar, Gregg Fergusson, Freddie Stoffer,
Rich Wolter, Klavs Moller, Andy Thomas, Sean Weaver, Laura Robinson, Jeanne
Keenan, Ron Calavolpe, Steve Blackman and Bob Jansen. Doing trials are Marc
Brooks, Anthony "Pogi" Tortorice and Jay Skwarlo.
Team Iron Pony
This team from Northern New Jersey consists of racers and non-racers of all
ability levels and ages and is affiliated with Cortara's Iron Pony, a bike
shop in Flanders, New Jersey.
A team goal is to give back to the land that we ride and race on. Iron Pony
was one of the top teams in total hours in the 1996 NJ Pay Dirt Program, a
program designed to involve mountain biker racers in trail maintenance.
The A team roster includes Lance Trappe, Julian Hunter, Rich Biebel, Ryan
Donagher, Bob Dougan, Alan Edmonds, Brian Lariviere, Ryan Stefiuk, Bob
Balcerski, Gordon Sweetman, Rene Trappe and Debbie Banks. The B team roster
includes Fernando Cotero, Ed Duda, Scott Murrell, Corey Vincent, Pete
Wachowiak and Marc Whitney. Shop members include Scott Santucci, Tim Troast
and Gary Vincent. Sponsors are Stratos, Real Components, Syncros, Dean/Rhino,
and EVS Sports Protection.
Women's Mystic Cycle Centre Racing Team
The Mystic Cycle Centre is looking for a few good women. To help foster the
growing popularity of women's mountain biking and cycling in general, we are
now accepting applications to our brand new Women's Mystic Cycle Centre
Racing Team.
All team members will be entitled to free Mystic Cycle Centre shorts (jerseys
are in the works), Mystic Cycle Centre clothing (t-shirts, hats, etc.) parts
and service at a discount and help with race fees and transportation
logistics and costs.
In exchange for this support the Mystic Cycle Centre will ask that all team
members: 1. Compete in a specified number of races/events; 2. Wear Mystic
Cycle Centre shorts exclusively; 3. Represent the shop to the best of your
abilities; 4. Be a goodwill ambassador for the shop and the sport in general;
5. Generate publicity in the local press; 6. Help with shop special events.
Riders Wanted
Watchung Wheelmen
Experiencing a rebirth, the Watchung Wheelmen (previously a road club) is now
involved in mountain biking. Organized mountain bike rides will be scheduled
throughout the season and riders of any level are welcome. Rides will be
split into groups - fun oriented rides and training rides. There will be
regular club meetings and training seminars on topics such as repair,
nutrition, handling skills, training, etc. For club information, check out
the web page: HTTP://members.aol.com/hgcyclery/web or call 908-647-2010.
The Watchung Wheelmen also have a racing team sponsored by Navigators
Insurance. This is the mountain bike team's first season and we are currently
accepting resumes. The team will concentrate on the NJ State Point Series.
Emphasis will be on creating a cohesive, successful team that will help
racers develop and achieve greater success. Resumes can be faxed c/o Bradley
Ford at 908-580-0576 or e-mailed to: BRDFRD@aol.com.
Team Smoky Mountain Wheels
Announcing Smoky Mountain Wheels new "grass roots" southeastern mountain bike
race team is now taking resumes for the 1997 race season. Tentative team
sponsors are: Mavic, Dragon Optical, Kore Products, Caramba Cycles, Salsa
Cycles, Marzocchi, Gore Ride-On, Nema Clothing and Smoky Mountain Wheels.
Resumes may be mailed to: Smoky Mountain Wheels, PO Box 4254, Cleveland, TN
37320-4254. Phone 1-800-996-3339.
Team VCN France/USA
Jean-Claude Gracia is forming a club/team, a twin association between the
Velo Club of Nerac in France and the VCN France/USA of New York City. This
alliance will be formed by 1. public riders or racers; 2. USCF racers (all
levels); 3. NORBA racers (all levels); 4. French and USA racers or riders;
and 5. a pro team may be created in the future.
VCN/France/USA is focusing it's efforts to help riders/racers into the world
of bicycling especially beginners, women and juniors. Not everyone has to be
competitive to be part of the club as long as he/she enjoys the ride and a
nice atmosphere. VCN France/USA is not a promoter but a club/team and as a
team every penny and idea will be shared for the best of the team.
P.S. Sponsors are welcome. If you are interested in joining VCN/France/USA
send your name, address and phone number to: Jean-Claude Gracia, 23 51 St.,
Street #c1, Weehawken, NJ 07087.
BoneHead Bicycles Racing Team
Gerry Phlug-pro, Ricky Haas-expert, and Randy Smallwood-expert. Co-sponsors
for the team include: SRAM-GripShift, Kooka, Manitou, Giro, White Lightning,
Clif Shot and Cat Eye.
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