This weekend’s team training camp held in Orange County, California marked the beginning of the third year for the Surf City Cyclery/Sterling BMW Cycling Team out of Costa Mesa, CA. The 18 rider squad is poised and ready to take on all challenges from its competition this season, as proven already by back to back wins in the early season races last weekend and Sunday. Charon Smith was jettisoned to the line by a relentless lead-out train of blue and black winning both races by more than a bike length. The team got together Saturday for a photo shoot and team dinner that included a celebration of their sponsors who make it all happen, followed by the race on Sunday.
Returning members are team manager, Mike Faello, Team Captains, Kirk Bausch and Mark Scott and Charon Smith, Kenny (The Gambler) Rogers, John Slover, Robbie Miranda and Kyle Heinrich. The team has added a depth of talent and horsepower in Patrick Bos, Rob Kamppila, Ben Travis, John Flagg, Mike Carro, Dan Reback, Steve Strickler, John Wike, David Worthington and in unconventional fashion the team has added Olympic Silver Medalist Dotsie Bausch to their roster. Bausch will race with the men in road races and some stage races as she spends the season developing efficiency at high power output and volume in pursuit of Olympic Gold in the 4K team pursuit at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games.
The boys (and a girl) in blue and black plan to continue to deliver win after win this season, as their strength lies deep in both the ability to clean house in any field sprint situation but also in a multitude of settings like break-aways and late race flyers. They are thrilled to be back this year with a squad they call “the wrecking machine.” More importantly though they will have a blast together racing their bikes and continue the camaraderie and respect for each other and their competitors not always found in Masters Racing.
In addition to returning sponsors Sterling BMW, Studio Concepts, Skullcandy, GU, Play Again Now, Morey and Upton LLP, PWC, Muscle Milk, Specialized, Empower Coaching, Shafer Massage, Oakley and Vittoria. The Team is proud to welcome new sponsors IRT Wheels, Athletic Recon Apparel, HoM Sotheby’s Real Estate, McLaren, Cytomax, FOX, Health Pro Wellness and Panache Cycling Clothing.
Photo © Christy Nicholson / EchelonDesignPhoto.com
