As the 2009 Cross season approaches Charm City Cycling, also known as C3, is excited to announce a new partnership. For 2009 C3 will be working with Athletes Serving Athletes, a 501c3 non-profit organization that enables challenged athletes to experience the thrill of athletic completion. C3- Athletes Serving Athletes ,the 2008 Mid Atlantic Cyclocross Cup Team Champions , returns a strong team and looks again to be amongst the strongest cross programs in the east, if not in the county.
New for this year, C3-Athletes Serving Athletes will be supporting a national level team of four riders as they strive to reach their dreams of national and international success, while providing the team and sponsors additional national exposure. This group will include returning elite racers Andy Wulfkuhle, Laura Van Gilder, Wes Schempf, and joining the program for 2009 will be Dee Dee Winfield. Laura Van Gilder is looking to follow up a sensational rookie cross season that culminated in a 4th place ride at Nationals and a top 20 finish at the world championships. With a year of experience under her belt, Van Gilder, the 2008 MAC Cup Women’s Champion will be looking to make an even bigger splash on the cross scene. Her partners on the elite team bring some impressive palmares of their own: Wulfkuhle is a 2x Pennsylvania Cyclocross State Champion, Schempf in a 2x national podium winner and 3x MAC Cup Champion, Winfield in a Masters National Champion, and a 2006 US Worlds team member.
The quartet of riders are expected to compete in the USGPs, MAC series, and of course the Nationals in December.
Regionally, the team expects to continue to be force and expects to challenge for a second MAC Cup Team Championship, as well as the new MABRA series team title. When asked if he felt the team would be stretched too thin, team director Kris Auer responded, “ Unlike many regional programs who have strong presences during the road and mountainbike seasons, we are primarily a team of dedicated cross racers, this is our season, and no doubt we have our work cut out for us but this is what we love, and what we live to race for.” In addition to competing each weekend throughout the season, members of the C3-Althletes Serving Athletes team will promote the team’s own UCI C2 Race Charm City Cross on September 20. Last year’s edition drew over 500 riders. Outside of the Charm City Cross Race, the team will have members with prominent roles in promotion of the UCI C2 Granogue Cross on October 17, and the Howard County Double Cross on November 21 and 22. “ Our commitment to cyclocross goes beyond just racing, at the core of the team is our goal to help promote, and foster the growth of the sport,” Auer added.
Regionally the team will be lead by cross veterans Chris Nystrom, Jeff Cordisco, Michael Kolb, Heidi Von Teitenburg, Diane Grimm, Elizabeth Harlow, Fatmarc Vettori, Zach Adams, Rich Bilson, Joe Lilibridge, Mark Broadwater as well as juniors Sam O’Keefe and Gunnar Bergy. On the West Coast multiple time US Armed Forces National Champion and 2008 Charm City Cross Champion Michael Gallagher is expected to represent being based out of Portland, OR.
The Riders of C3-Athletes Serving Athletes are very grateful for all the support they receive from their generous sponsors: The Hostetter Agency, Blue Competition Bicycles, Bontrager, Joe’s Bike Shop, The Athlete Development Group, Tifosi, Sock Guy, SRAM, GIRO, Shimano, Verge, Woof Designs, and Barber Electronics.
More information regarding the team can be found at it’s website: www.charmcitycycling.com.
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