U23 Champion (Photo by Amy Dykema)

The Elite Women and U23 events were run concurrently and
Ashley James won the U23 women’s championship honor in this event. 

James, shared that she arrived in Bend, Oregon three days prior to the race which left plenty of time to build up nerves!

Due to weather conditions, the course conditions left all competitors in a guessing game till race time. But that’s all part of the fun of cyclocross she remarked.

Weather woes aside, Ashley James had a forty minute break between the finish of the U23 race and the start of the Collegiate Women’s race. She indicated that she did not have any defined goals going into these races. James, said “I started near the back of the 100 woman field (our small U23 field was combined with elite women) so I wanted to try and move up at the start.”

In the collegiate race, she acknowledged that she had a front row start and hoped to get in the main group and race from there. While watching the multiple races all week, spectators witnessed a number of unpredictable crashes that left racers running for the pits in icy conditions.

James, stated that, she really hoped to have smooth races and was fortunate for a mechanical free weekend. She felt lucky and extremely grateful to have friends’, collegiate teammates, Team Kenda teammates, and home state fans- who made the weekend go smoothly. She said, “the cross atmosphere is so supportive. With this thought James looks forward to 2010.

Later in the day, Ashley James (Lindsey Wilson College), Jennifer Greenberg (Lees McRae College) and Kristin Jo Markham (Lees-McRae College) achieved top 10 performances in the Women Collegiate D1 race segment at the USA Cycling Cyclocross Championship in Bend, Oregon. James earned the silver medal while Markham (Lees-McRae College) placed 4th and Greenberg placed 8th place respectively.

Greenberg reports that she felt ok, but thought maybe she left too much pressure in her tires. She said, “perhaps it was just my bike handling, but I was sliding all over the place.”

“I got a great start, but crashed in the first lap at a crucial dividing part of the course (the up down run up) and the top five got a way from me.” As a result, she never made up the gap to get back on.

Greenberg is content with her top ten placing despite having a rough couple of days in Bend, Oregon. Her set backs started with the post office losing her shoes followed with falling down the stairs and bruising her ribs and hurting her knee.

“I was super excited about achieving my goal of getting on the podium at my first nationals. Additionally, I really enjoyed the muddy conditions of the course and glad the ice thawed in time for our race by late afternoon on Sunday. Definitely crashed a few times and had a few bobbles, but it was a ton of fun!,” said a thrilled Kristin Jo Markham.

The Faces of Team Kenda (Photograph by: Paul Forsythe)

(Chicago, Illinois – November 23, 2009) – Team Kenda women are excited to be back for an eleventh season with enhanced support from banner sponsor Kenda USA, known for their exceptional road and MTB tires. Team Kenda NRC Elite Team veterans include Ashley James, Catherine Walberg, Denise Ramsden, Jackie Kurth, Kat Clark, Silke Wunderwald, and Team Captain Kristin Wentworth.  New additions include Amity Elliot, Anna McLoon, Jen Rasmusson, Jennifer Greenberg, Kendi Thomas, and Melissa Ross.

There is a lot of talent assembled here. Jackie Kurth (current 18 year old Junior National Criterium Champion), Ashley James, and Jen Greenberg are attending college on cycling scholarships. Kendi Thomas is Collegiate Division II National Champion in both the Criterium and the TT. Denise Ramsden is a past Canadian Junior National RR Champion and has made remarkable progress at the Elite level. Melissa Ross spent time in Europe during 2008 as part of the U.S. Developmental Cycling Program. Elliot, Rasmusson, and McLoon (Harvard Collegiate) are aggressive and exciting. Clark, Walberg, Wentworth, and Wunderwald carry the experience to guide the team.

“This is our best team yet”, stated Team Manager, Paul Forsythe, who also shared that he is pleased with several additions to Kenda’s regional team programs. “These women are totally committed and embrace their roles as brand ambassadors for the team and sponsors.”  We hope to build on several notable successes that we enjoyed in 2009. We will be racing most of the NRC.” When asked what will be different, Forsythe gave a one-word answer, “Criteriums!” 

Needless to say Team Kenda continues to do its part in enhancing the life’s of women racers from its early beginnings with 9 riders to having in excess of 80 competitive riders, from Juniors to Masters. 

One question needed to be answered once and for all. What is with the leafy greenery on Team Kenda’s uniform? “Major team sponsor, Plant Solutions of Scottsdale, AZ uses the cycling team as part of their branding program.” Plant Solutions provides interior landscape design, installation and services to keep home and office environments healthy while using natural resources. Good indoor quality is achieved utilizing best in class sustainable practices. Green is in! Even our new Blue Competition bikes will be…green!” 

Returning team sponsors include Blue Competition Bicycles, Verge Sport, LH Thomson, SRAM, Rudy Project, CycleOps, Zipp Speed Weaponry, Headsweats, Terry Precision Cycling, Skins, Thule, The Pear Tree Pen Company, Sportcrafters, Deen-Gross Eye Centers, Ferguson & Associates, and LifesportDR. 

The team welcomes Outlaw Earth (messenger bags), Govert Auto Body, and Hoo Ha Ride Glide, a Reflect Sports product for the 2010 season.

Elite Women

Perfect conditions greeted the riders who awaited a technical course consisting of short power climbs and a long gradual climb on the back section of the course. It was a perfect sunny autumn day in rural Middletown, Maryland filled with lots of fans cheering racers in each race segment.

The paved down hill start was key to getting onto the first technical grass section that lead to tight corner. Julie Kuliecza (Alan North America Cycling) got the hole shot with Jennifer Maxwell (ATAC Sportswear p/b The Bike Rack) and Lenora Pipes on her wheel.

The field reached the first natural barrier quickly and Jennifer Maxwell felt more confident dismounting after seeing that it was faster to remount with momentum rather than try to bunny hop and lose speed for the quick 180-degree turn. The grassy section was dry and fast and was the start of many power turns and out-of-the saddle attacks of the lead group of Lenora Pipes, Julie Kuliecza (Alan North America Cycling) and Jennifer Maxwell (ATAC Sportswear p/b The Bike Rack).

The back section was a fast down hill that led a tight left hand turn around a tree and a long gradual uphill climb. It was long and hard and the three stayed together for the first few laps. The only section of the course for reprieve was on the back grass section after the downhill but it quickly brought racers to the technical creek and wooded platform section. With momentum slowed due to a grassy muddy after the creek the women had to power up a grass climb and navigate the final off camber grass section before the last climb to the start line.

With each lap Maxwell used the big ring for the paved section and grass section, which was important in shedding her companions. The three women fought hard and Maxwell continued to power through the grass section and up the Wheel Base Bikes of Frederick fly over. This was one fast and sturdy fly over and great to finally have at a local race. Since there was a natural barrier before the fly over, Maxwell was able to shoulder her bike before the barrier and continue her speed straight up the stairs to quickly remount and click into her pedals for the down hill ramp. Each lap Maxwell was able to stay at the front of her group and then she would try to recover at the start finish behind Kuliecza and Pipes. With a few laps to go Maxwell saw Pipes take the first grass section and barrier cautiously, so she powered ahead of Pipes and then decided to put the pressure on through the corners and jump out of the saddle on the flats. With a few laps to go Maxwell punched a small hill after the fly over and was able to get a gap and maintain her rhythm throughout the remaining laps. The last few laps were focused on technique and maintaining her speed for the win. Julie Kuliecza was able to drop Pipes for second place and Pipes came in for third.

Maxwell placed 2nd in the Elite Women field in the Breast Cancer Awareness Cyclocross race on Saturday, October 3rd held at Hagerstown Maryland.

Elite Men
The Elite Men race was won by Jeremiah Bishop (Mona Via Cannondale).

This race was put forth by the efforts of the Team Kenda Mid-Atlantic Regional Elite team and HPC.  Chris, a Team Kenda Mid-Atlantic Regional Elite racer and her husband Fred Kelley allowed the race course to be set up on their property.  Additionally, Kenda USA provided swag for prizes plus the team contributed a cash donation that was distributed to the top three category 3 women podium finishers in the race.

Note: Race winner Jennifer Maxwell is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Elite team.

Marian College Wins Team Omnium (Div I)

Report by Paul Forsythe

TREXLERTOWN, PA (September 24-26, 2009) – Kenda’s Jackie Kurth is attending Marian College on a cycling scholarship. The 2009 Junior National Criterium Champion’s first ride on a track bike was only about one month ago.

Also present in the women’s track competition was Kenda rider Jo Markham, who is riding for Lees McRae. Jo had battled some health issues during the road season, but she recently shared that she is feeling much better and happy with her progress.

Jackie’s first event was a 3KM pursuit on Thursday, where she was pleased with a 4th place. Jackie was subbed in for that event, and some others, in place of Marian’s injured rider, Sinead Miller. Coming in at 9th position of the 29 entries was Kenda rider Jo Markham (Lees McRae).

Friday was a very busy day for women competitors. In individual competition, Jackie took bronze in the Women’s Point race. Also a member of Marian’s victorious Team Pursuit and Coed Team Sprint teams, Jackie added to her expanding collection of National Champion Jerseys. Jo Markham and her teammates (Lees McRae) took second place in the Women’s Team Pursuit trailing the Marian Team by 7.2 seconds.

Kurth took 8th place in Saturday’s final Sprint event. Jackie’s efforts resulted in a 3rd place overall in the women’s Individual Omnium scoring, not bad for a beginner on the track and a sign of good things to come. Jo’s comeback is progressing and her results are promising as well.

Congratulations to Jackie and Jo! Team Kenda is very proud of you.

(from left to right) Kate Gracheck in her Stars & Stripes earned in the Team Pursuit

 Report by Kate Gracheck

The past 11 months have been some of the best and worst months of my life. Last September I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, just 9 days after racing my bike at collegiate track nationals and 23 days after my 29th birthday. I spent the next four months in doctors’ offices and hospitals as I went through diagnostic testing, chemotherapy, and radiation. I beat cancer in 12 weeks time but had to go through 20 days of radiation afterwards to make sure all of the cancer cells were dead.

I was determined to not let cancer define me and stood apart from most patients as I told my nurses to take the optional drugs out of my chemo regime on the first day. I also told my nurse that I was going to race at the USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships the following year and was going to win a jersey. Well, I did exactly that and was blessed enough to win two races and set a national record 11 months after my diagnosis.

The morning of the Points race, I woke up singing “I Gotta a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas and knew it was going to be a good day. I was very nervous as I knew the Points race was going to be tough. We were combined with the 35-39 age group which means our field tripled in size and was composed of many talented riders. But, I wanted that jersey more than anything and knew I had a good shot at it. My main competition was another local rider who I beat in our state championship Points race last month. Having beat her once, I knew I could do it again if I had a really good night and rode smart. I got on to warm-up and was happy with how my legs recovered after the pursuit on Wednesday. After 20 minutes on the track, I got on my trainer and went through my warm-up routine. My legs were heavy but working through it. Once I got back on the track for our final warm-up before the race, I felt awesome. The gun went off and it was show time. My biggest competitor scored two points on the first sprint. Then another girl in my group scored one point on the next sprint. That put me in third and I knew I needed to get going and get points fast. I went for the next sprint and caught the wheel of a 35-39 age group woman. We gapped the field and went 1-2 in the sprint. I was now winning my race and the jersey was in reach. The next sprint I was a bit out of position and then had a great lead-out for the final sprint. I pulled a rookie mistake (went at 520 meters) but managed to keep my lead as none of my age group scored any points. Crossing that finish line I knew I had won. I had won a national championship jersey in exactly 11 months after my diagnosis. It was an incredible feeling and so wonderful to have so many fans and friends cheering me on through the race and onto the top of the podium.

Two days later, I was back at the track and warming up for the 3km team pursuit. Back in October as I set my eyes on USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships and a jersey, I recruited my good friend Renee Eastman (Natural Grocers) to race the team pursuit with me. She agreed but did not really think much of it at the time. As we warmed up Sunday morning, both Renee and I as well as our third rider Ingrid Alongi (Boulder, CO), knew we had a really good shot at winning the race despite never having practiced the team pursuit together. We each knew how to ride a team pursuit and how to do the exchanges; it was just a matter of getting our flow right and communicating during the race. I lead the race out and we went for 1/2 lap pulls through most of the race. That race was the most painful four minutes of my life but also the most fun four minutes of my life. I was on the rivet after the first kilo and never watched the laps as I was so focused on holding Ingrid’s wheel and strong pulls. I was excited to hear the bell ring and we pushed hard into the home straight. No team beat our time and I was once again standing on top of the podium as a national champion with my teammates. Not only were we national champions but we were also American record holders. That win also made me a two time national champion and national record holder 11 months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Looking back at the USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships and my diagnosis, cancer played a huge role in my determination to win a jersey this year. I did not want cancer to define me but I also wanted to prove it was not going to affect me past my treatment. I began training in March and gave everything I had to my training when I was on the bike but also gave everything I had to rest and recovery as my body could not handle what it used to. Somebody asked me what I did differently this year as I have been riding much better than I ever have. I told him I got cancer. In truth, that is what changed between last year and this year. I took six months off of training and “exercised.” When I came back to training, I knew I had to rest more. I rest more than I ever have but I am also more focused and more determined than I have ever been as I wanted to prove cancer did not get the better of me. I always wanted to be a national champion but once cancer took over I got angry and wanted that jersey more than ever before. I wanted it for myself but also all of my young adult cancer friends that have had to fight the fight as well.

Looking forward, I am toying with the idea of racing at Elite Nationals in October. Last October I did not think I would be strong or fit enough to race at Elites and that is why I choose Masters Nationals as my goal. Today I know I am riding better than I ever have and am not ready for my season to end. I am going to train as though I am going to race at Elites and will make a decision as the race gets closer. Unfortunately, my age group is not represented at Masters World Championships so that is not an option for me. In addition, I just finished up my doctoral coursework and am now starting my dissertation. My goal is to have my dissertation complete and defended by next May. After that, I am going to play for the summer before going on my doctoral internship and graduating. I have heard 30’s are best for women. After having such a rough end to my 20’s, I am thoroughly excited to turn 30 and cannot wait to see what the coming year has in store!

(center), Kate Gracheck National Champion: Women Points Race 30 to 34

Kate Gracheck becomes Points Race Champion in the Women 30 to 34 age group. Kate is a cancer survivor who through faith, prayers, and great medical care persevered and as she puts it, “I beat cancer and won a jersey in the same year!!!”

(from right to left) 2K TT Podium: Team Kenda riders Megan McLaughlin and Kate Gracheck

A pair of  Team Kenda women headed to the 7-Eleven Velodrome in Colorado Springs, CO to contest the USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships scheduled for August 18 to 23, 2009.

DAY 1 – Women 30-34 500m Time Trial
Megan McLaughlin earns 4th place

Day 2 – Women 30-34 2,000m Time Trial
Kate Gracheck earns 3rd place
Megan McLauglin earns 5th place

 2K TT impressions by Megan McLaughlin

This is my first year of track racing, and I was very keen to see what I could do. More than anything, I wanted to learn as much as I can. Since I honestly believe that I learn things best by doing them, I put Nationals on my schedule, just to see what would happen.

The 500 on Tuesday evening was plagued by chilly winds and intermittent rain. The event had to be stopped for a while to wait for the storms to pass, but they eventually did, and we were able to continue. I was reasonably happy with my time, but I felt I lost time on my standing start. Mostly this is due to inexperience. It’s an area I will focus on next year for sure.

In the 2K TT, the weather was breezy but beautiful. I was beginning to suffer the effects of altitude sickness, so I just wanted to see what I could do. I pace fairly well in road time trials, but I am still learning how to pace for the shorter, more intense efforts on the track. Again, this is something I will work on in the future.

Overall it was a great learning experience. I plan to focus more of my efforts next year on the track, and will certainly return to the event next year, if at all possible. This season has been a fantastic one, and I especially enjoy being a part of such a great team. We have a tremendous support structure and sponsors that are second to none. There are people who work hard “behind the scenes” to make sure our Team Kenda racing experiences are the best they can possibly be. I’m grateful to them, as well as our sponsors and all my teammates for their support and encouragement.

2K TT impressions by Kate Gracheck

What where your goals?  My goals for the day were to get a good start lap in, hold 26.4s on laps 2-6, keep my breathing steady, and finish in 2:44. I got a great start lap in, was way too hot on my second lap, and paid for that in the last two laps. Overall, it was my best execution of a pursuit in my track racing career.

Did you think you could medal?  Yes…but I was actually hoping for silver. Had I ridden my goal time I would have been in contention for second place.

How were you feeling going into it? what was the weather?, did it affect you?  For the three weeks leading up to USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships, my legs felt terrible. I rested, still felt off, rested more, and still had bad legs. I was psyched when I got on the trainer that morning and had great legs. I knew I would have a good day on the track. It was warm and sunny but super windy. Fortunately, I know the track well and know how to ride it in the wind. But even with that experience the wind still swiped me sideways on the first lap and played a roll in my overall time.

Why did you choose this event? (played on your strengths, testing the waters, etc)  For some reason I love racing against the clock. The race itself is painful and not a lot of fun but I love it.

Was this your first trip to USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships?  Yes. I am one of the babies at this race…not even 30 yet!

What’s next?  I am racing in the Points race on Day 4 and the Team Pursuit on Day 6. My team is composed of two other local riders who I have been training and racing with for six years.

My biggest motivation for this race has been to win a jersey the same year I beat cancer…I would like to save that part of the story for later, though, as I hope to write about it as a national champion. Let’s wait and see what happens…I will put it up no matter what but would like to have that special part of it. I’m going to give these races all I have and hope for the best!!!:)

With both grazing the podium the team is looking good for the remainder of the contest.

Jackie Kurth, earns the gold medal in the USA Cycling Jr, U23, Elite Road National Championship while competing in the Women Jr 17 to 18 segment of the championships.  Kurth is no stranger to jersey earnings as she picked up accolades in 2003 and 2006.

Once at home, Kurth was interviewed by the Treasure Coast Newspapers.  The article, “Palm City cyclist wins national junior title before racing off to college” can be viewed by clicking here.