Champion System / Cannondale

Continental X-King - Our all-purpose weapon.

2011-01-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

Continental Tires

Clif Bar Pick & Choose 'Em

2011-01-01T07:47:00.001-08:00

PICK & CHOOSE 'EM

Jeremiah Dyer ponders from across the pond

2010-12-26T13:39:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah Dyer ponders from across the pond

What is the secret?

How does one get fast - really fast - at riding a bike? Seriously, ask anyone who bike races and you will get the same answer: BIKE RACING IS UNFORGIVING!

Yes, it is true. Whoever came up with the idea to train your body to the brink of exhaustion and then go ride circles in a snow-covered cow field when it is 15 degrees and raining was a little demented. Throw in massive amounts of beer, cigar smoke, and the Flemish-cult-mentality-spectators and you have plain and simple insanity.

My pilgrimmage to the Euro 'Cross Camp has not exactly gone to plan. The airlines have still not found my bikes and bags, and I missed almost a week of training, but the biggest blow was watching the first World Cup from the sidelines. I have been very fortunate to have bikes loaned to me thanks to Jonathan Page, who allowed me to get back to what I came here to do.

I did a local race on Christmas day and finished 15th. This local "B" race drew almost 40 juniors. I almost rode into the top 10 before locking up my front wheel on a decent and crashing as a result. I felt better in the race than I had expected and enjoyed the course, although certain sections resembled an ice skating rink.

Something I have learned since my last Euro trip with the mountain bike team is that being a bike racer is frustrating, requires patience, and will on occasion have you think the world is about to come to a grinding halt.

Does anyone other than me wonder how many times a day Jonathan Page thinks about the three seconds that separated him from the gold medal at the world championships in 2007? How do you find three seconds when you are already that fast?

What is it exactly that makes these Euros so fast? What is their secret? How does one become great at a sport that can be cruel and unusual?

The reason I race my bicycle and will continue to race my bicycle does not have to do with some elaborate plan to become world famous. I don't race my bike because it is a fad (and no, I don't own a fixed gear). I certainly don't race my bike because I want to be filthy rich. I don't race my bike because it starts conversation with girls. I don't race my bike because looking like a T-Rex with a farmer's tan is stylish.

The reason I race my bike is much simpler than any of those reasons. I race my bike because it is what brings me to the basics. It's a process of slowly making one's self stronger everyday and is satisfying and real, but nothing more. It's the singular focus of riding a bike fast, commonly described as tunnel vision, the zone, etc.

The reason we are spending our Christmas break in Belgium is to "re-learn" how to race our bikes. No, it is not very glamorous to race cyclo-cross in a country where it is practically religion, but I've found that we learn more in the races we lose than the races we win.

What I've learned here is the reality is that the "secret" is - that there are no secrets. You just have to go harder than you can possibly imagine and not make a SINGLE mistake!

Jeremiah Dyer
www.JeremiahDyer.com

P.S. - I want to thank everyone who is responsible for me being here: family, friends, sponsors and competitors.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/euro-cross-camp-viii

Check out what's stopping CSC for 2011!

2010-12-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

For 2011, Champion System/Cannondale is partnering up with Formula brakes. The team will be running the Formula R1 setup.

Check them out:

Formula Brake USA

Champion System-Cannondale rider Jeremiah Dyer heads to Euro Cross Camp 2010-2011

2010-12-14T19:32:00.001-08:00

Champion System-Cannondale rider Jeremiah Dyer selected to attend US Jr-National Team Euro Cross Camp for 2010-2011. It is the eighth year that Camp Director Geoff Proctor is taking young American cyclo-crossers to Europe to gain more experience racing in and near Belgium. The opportunity gives them the chance to experience cyclo-cross at its highest level with races at two World Cups. They'll also get to compete in several national-level events.

Euro Cross Camp VIII Race Schedule

Wednesday-Friday, December 15-17: Riders travel to camp

Saturday, December 18: Lichtervelde

Sunday, December 19: UCI World Cup-Kalmthout

Sunday, December 19: Maldegem

Wednesday, December 22: Team Training Race (Ardooieveld)

Saturday, December 25: Beernem

Sunday, December 26: UCI World Cup-Zolder

Sunday, December 26: Balagem

Monday, December 27: Super Prestige-Diegem

Wednesday, December 29: Azencross GVA-Loenhout

Thursday, December 30: Sylvester Cyclocross-Bredene

Saturday, January 1: GP Sven Nys GVA-Baal

Good luck Jeremiah!

Check out the links below to view the complete lineup for the 2010-2011 Euro Cross Camp

EURO CROSS CAMP

2011 Whips!

2010-11-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

Montrek Watches

2010-11-11T15:17:00.000-08:00

Check out Montrek watches.

Thinking a Môntrèk Diver Watch would look just as nice on the golf course, basketball court, or hiking trail as it does in the deep blue sea? You aren’t alone. We have packed enough fashion and features into our men’s watch collection to ensure there’s an appealing style for everyone, whatever their favorite pastime. And we were pleased to find our commitment to a wide appeal did not go unnoticed when our watches hit a chord with the Cannondale Bicycling Team, of which we are an excited sponsor! Some of the strongest, most talented athletes of our time, the Cannondale team is reaching new heights with determination and dedication in their hearts and minds, andMôntrèk Watches on their wrists!

Montrek Watches Blog

Sneak Peek-2011 Mountain Bike Schedule

2010-11-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

2011 South Eastern Regional Championship-SERC

SERC #1 Gainesville, FL March 20

SERC #2 Bryson City, NC April 3

SERC #3 Spartenburg, SC April 27

SERC #4 Winder, GA May 1

SERC #5 Ducktown, TN May 15

SERC #6 Jackson, GA May 29

SERC #7 Chattanooga, TN June 12

SERC #8 Clemson, SC June 26

SERC #9 Huntsville, AL July 10

SERC #10 Fontana, NC July 31

2011 USA Cycling Pro XCT

March 12: US Cup Triple Crown Bonelli Park – San Dimas, Calif.
March 26: US Cup Triple Crown Fontana City National – Fontana, Calif.
April 16: Sea Otter Classic – Monterey, Calif.
April 30: Mellow Johnny’s Classic – Dripping Springs, Texas
June 18: Sand Creek Intl. – Colorado Springs, Colo.
June 25: Subaru Cup – Mt. Morris, Wisc.
July 24: Missoula, Montana XC – Missoula, Mt.

2011 Mountain Bike National Championships

July 14-17 USA Cycling MTB XC National Championships

2011 Cannondales

UCI - North Carolina Grand Prix - Nov. 20-21, 2010

2010-11-11T14:43:00.000-08:00

Champion System/Cannondale riders will compete in the 2 day UCI North Carolina Grand Prix in Hendersonville, NC November 20 & 21. Look for the Green Kits!

UCI - North Carolina Grand Prix - Nov. 20-21, 2010

2010-2011 North Carolina Cyclocross Series

Champion System/Cannondale-North Carolina Cyclocross Series

2010-11-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

Race #1 Saturday, October 23, 2010 Southern Pines, NC

CX Pro 1/2
-Tim- 7th
-Jeremiah- 23rd

Race #2 Sunday, October 24, 2010 Raleigh, NC

CX Pro 1/2
-Tim- 7th
-Jeremiah- 17th
-Alex- 13th

Race #3 Sunday, October 31, 2010 Boone, NC

CX Pro 1/2
-Tim- 6th
-Jeremiah- 17th
-Alex- 37th

Race #4 Sunday, November 7, 2010 Salisbury, NC CX State Championships

CX Pro 1/2
-Tim- 14th
-Alex- 13th

Junior 15-18
-Jeremiah- 1st NC CX State Champion

Update

2010-06-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

Alex 3rd in Hoo Ha Super D and 7th in XC, Travis 3rd in Short Track and 5th in XC, Tim 14th in XC!!! Huge results for Champion System / Cannondale.

Andy 10th at the Lumberjack 100!

Great Couple Weekends for Champion System Cannondale!

2010-06-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

Angler's Ridge Danville, VA Tim 2nd!! Alex 4th!!!

Travis 3rd & Alex 6th at the Turn N' Burn short track race in Birmingham, AL. Bump N' Grind XC Travis 4th & Alex 10th.

Tim WON!!!! round seven of the Southern Classic MTB Series at Caraway Hills, NC!!!!!

A Few Pictures From the Past Month

2010-05-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

May Recap

2010-05-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

The team has been racing all over the world this month. Tim, Alex, Andy, and Jeremiah represented in the US while Travis was overseas in competing in Europe with the U23 natl team.

Tim race to 3rd place in Spartanburg, SC at the Stump Jump. Alex was 10th at the US Cup in Ducktown, TN. Travis raced multiple World Cups and other world class races with his best result being 13th at a Taller Cup race in Germany.

Check out our Facebook Page!

Facebook | Champion System Cannondale Professional Mountain Bike Team

Racing Update

2010-04-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

The team race the US Cup in Bryson City, NC two weeks ago. Andy and Alex both inside the top 15 and Travis 5th after limping in with a mechanical.

This past weekend Champion System/Cannondale represented in Columbia, SC with Tim 1st and Alex 3rd in the Southern Classic Series race. Travis raced out west at the Sea Otter Classic and finished 18th overall and 1st U23 in the the most competitive Sea Otter in years.

2010-04-10T05:16:00.000-07:00

Tim takes the win at the Dragons Tail in Va! He rode with the leaders and controled the race all day and made his move in the last 3 miles.

Travis and Alex tested there road racing legs at the Boone Roubaix and came away with a 6th for Travis and 20th for Alex.

Success All Over the Country

2010-03-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

Great weekend for the Team!! Travis competed in the FONTANA CITY NATIONAL Fontana, CA: XC-25th, 3rd U23 STXC-15TH Super-D- 5th!!! Great Job! Alex Placed 3rd at the SERC # 2 Columbia, TN (Chickasaw Trace) Tim 2nd & Andy 3rd at Uwharrie Southern Classic Mountain Bike Series # 2!!!!

Southern Classic Mt Bike Series # 1

2010-03-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

Hobby Park was a success! Great weekend for the team! Travis crushed it and took home the win!!!! Tim 7th, Alex suffered a flat and still finished 11th, and Jeremiah 20th! Great race for all in front of the North Carolina Crowds.

Gainesville, FL / SERC # 1

2010-03-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

The South East Regional Championships kicked off in Gainesville, Fl this past weekend. It was perfect weather on a fast, packed, and fun course. It was the first MTB race of the season for Alex and Travis who finished 11th and 4th, a good start to the 2010 season

1. Ryan Woodall
2. Seth Kemp
3. Thomas Turner
4. Travis Livermon / Champion System-Cannondale
5. Scott Fredrick
6. Jeff Schalk

11. Alex Ryan / Champion System-Cannondale

Bebop Pedals

2010-03-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

Travis' team bike on the Bebop Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=5387666&id=142617915179

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Mini Training Camp

2010-03-08T05:43:00.000-08:00

Some last minute miles in before the big weekend in Florida.

Training Camp 2010. "Triple Hump" 94 miles, 9,334 ft. climbing

New 2010 TEAM KITS!!

2010-02-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

The OFFICIAL 2010 Champion System Cannondale Professional Mountain Bike Team KITS!! Watch out! These kits are sick fast!

Training

2010-02-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

Training is underway as the 2010 Mountain bike season fast approaches. Team bikes are coming in and the fine tuning has begun. Lots of preparation is being done to get ready for the first S.E.R.C race in Florida March 14. The snow continues to fall almost weekly, so temperatures are cold but training must go on!

Check out the new ride!

2010 Cannondale Scalpel Team SRAM XX!!!!

Winter Months

2010-02-07T13:22:00.000-08:00

There has been no racing the past few months, the team is resting, training, or whatever is needed to get ready for the upcoming season. There has been snow and ice in NC which has made training difficult at times, fun at times, but always cold.

Euro Cross Journal Entry From Travis Livermon

2009-12-29T09:31:00.001-08:00

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/euro-cross-camp-vii/let-it-snow

Travis Livermon After Cross Nationals

2009-12-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

Cycling Videos on CyclingDirt

2009-12-29T09:12:00.000-08:00

NC Cyclocross Series Finals and National Championship

2009-12-29T08:54:00.000-08:00

The NC Cyclocross Series ended with one of the best races of the series. Travis Livermon took the win, Andy Applegate took 9th and Alex Ryan suffered two flat tires to finish 16th. Andy Applegate also took 2nd the day before at the MSG Cross #5. That was the end of the season for everyone other than Travis who went to the National Champs in Bend, OR where he took 6th in the U23 race. Now Travis will travel to Belgium for the Euro Cross Camp where he will race in may races including World Cups and learn what it is like to race cross in Europe.

Race Pictures

2009-11-23T10:03:00.001-08:00

Muddy Few Weeks on the East Cost

2009-11-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Nov 7th and 8th the team race in Charlotte and Salisbury, whitch are part of the NC Cyclocross Series. Travis Livermon took the win on day one and on day two rode to 2nd.

The following Weekend Andy Applegate raced to 13th in the sand of Southern Pines. On the same weekend Travis Livermon traveled to New Jersey to contest the US Grand Prix numbers 5 and 6. He placed 24th on day on and 34th on the second day of the extremely muddy weekend.

Nov 21 and 22 the guys got to race two UCI C2 race right here in NC. On day one of the NC Grand Prix Travis rode to 4th, Alex to 20th, and Andy to 21st. Once again it rained for the second day making for one of the slickest race of the year. Travis placed 5th, Andy 14th, and Alex 26th.

Next on the schedule are the NC Cyclocross series final and Nationals the following weekend.

Cyclocross Pictures

2009-11-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

Beacon and Highland Park Cross, NJ / UCI C2 & NC Cyclocross

2009-11-08T06:20:00.000-08:00

Last week Travis Livermon rode to a 10th and an 8th in NJ at the Mid Atlantic Cross Series, scoring a few more UCI point to help out the rest of the season. Alex Ryan Stayed in NC and race in Boone, NC where he was riding in a strong 3rd position but because of weather conditions and bike problems he was forced to withdraw.

US Grand Prix 3 and 4, Louisville, Ky

2009-10-29T18:06:00.000-07:00

Travis Livermon race in Louisville, Ky this past weekend at the USGP's # 3 and 4. On day one he rode to 19th in the elite race and 2nd U23 and improved the second day to get 16th in the elites and 1st U23.

Greenville Spinners Cyclocross 10/17/09

2009-10-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

Travis Livermon took another victory in the Greenville Spinners cross race last Saturday, in Greenville, SC.

OVCX’s Cincinnati Area UCI3 International Cyclocross Weekend

2009-10-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

Travis Livermon traveled up to Ohio last weekend to contest the OVCX’s Cincinnati Area UCI3 International Cyclocross Weekend. In Saturdays race he placed 12th and stayed consistent with 14th on Sunday. Both days were UCI C2 races with stacked fields.

Mud, Sweat, & Gears 2009 Cyclocross Series #1 - 2

2009-10-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

The team got Four wins in two days of racing in Tennessee at the first weekend of the MSG Cross series. In the Elite race Travis Livermon took 2nd on the first day of racing and 1st the following day. Andy Applegate raced six times in the two days of racing and took two masters wins and grabbed a single speed victory.

Can’t Wait for Cross Race #1

2009-09-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

This weekend Alex Ryan raced the Can’t Wait for Cross Race #1 in Winston-Salem, NC. The conditions were slick with lots of single track sections thrown in the mix to make an eventful cross course. Alex Ryan ended the day by finishing 5th in the Pro 1&2 field.

Headed to Johnson City, TN next weekend to race the MSG cyclocross race. This two day event promises lots of good racing.

check it ouT!!!!

http://www.msgcross.com/wordpress/

Picture from Mock Orange Bikes

Nittany Lion and Charm City Cyclocross UCI C2

2009-09-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

Travis Livermon raced last Saturday and Sunday in Allentown, PA and Baltimore, MD. On the first day of racing Travis rode through the whole field to finish 10th. The second day he was riding strong in fourth with half a lap to go and mechanical issues caused him to loose positions and finished 10th.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/nittany-lion-cross-c2/stages/stage-1/results

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/charm-city-cross-c2/stages/stage-1/results

SERC #8 / Chattanooga, TN

2009-06-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

The team got their first South East Regional Championship win of 2009 this past weekend in Chattanooga, TN. It was three laps of an 11.5 mile race course which made Travis Livermon’s winning time almost 2 hr 35min.

1 TRAVIS LIVERMON / CHAMPION SYSTEM/CANNONDALE
2 THOMAS TURNER / OUTSPOKIN /SPECIALIZED
3 ROBERT MARION / KENDA/KMC/HAYES
4 RYAN WOODALL / DEDICATED ATHLETE / I9 / SUSPENSION EXPERTS
5 JAMES WILLIAMS / CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING

Cowbell Summer Solstice, Davidson, NC

2009-06-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

Day one was the marathon race witch was part of the National Endurance Calendar series. With 150 starters, and the temperatures reaching 99 degrees Andy Applegate finished 6^th place.

1 Harlan Price

2 Jafer Beizer

3 Aaron Oaks

4 John Mylne

5 Peter Joski

6 Andy Applegate (Champion System/Cannondale)

Day two was the Cross Country race and Kenda Cup East # 4. The race for the win was extremely close with Travis Livermon finishing 4^th only a few second behind the winner. Alex Ryan and Ross Bowden rode strong in the hot temperatures to finish 12^th and 15^th.

1 Thomas Turner

2 Sam Koerber

3 Robert Marion

4 Travis Livermon (Champion System/Cannondale)

5 Ryan Woodall

12 Alex Ryan (Champion System/Cannondale)

15 Ross Bowden (Champion System/Cannondale)

Carmichael Training Systems Sand Creek International Classic

2009-06-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

On the first day of racing in Colorado, and a hectic start on a very narrow short track course, Travis Livermon finished 16th and Alex Ryan finished 34th.

The next day of racing was the Cross Country race, and Travis and Alex were joined by Ross Bowden. It was a fast, twisty, and fun course with an altitude of over 6,000 ft. Travis rode to 21st, Alex 58th, and Ross 66th, even with it being the first altitude race of the season.

Short Track Pictures
from cyclingdirt.org

Kenda Cup East #3 / Massanutten, HOO-HA

2009-06-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the team traveled to Massanutten, Va to race in the mud and heat of the Virgina mountains. After a long race of close to 30 pro's Travis Livermon finished 4th and Alex Ryan 10th.

1. Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com)
2. Sam Koerber ( Gary Fisher 29er Crew)
3. Jeff Schalk (Trek Racing Co-Op)
4. Travis Livermon (Champion System/Cannondale)
5. Harlan Price (Independent Fabrications)

10.Alex Ryan (Champion System/Cannondale)

Next weekend the team will travel to Colorado Springs, Co for the 4th stop of the US Cup

Bump and Grind / US Cup # 3

2009-06-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

This week the team traveled south to Birmingham, AL to contest the Bump and Grind. It was an extremely fast, fun, and short race course with a field stacked full of the top North American pro's. It was Travis Livermon's first race back from an accident two months earlier, and he rode strong to 23rd place. Ross Bowden, in his first season as a pro therefore having to deal with bad starting position, finished an impressive 50th.