2018….Not Bad. Not Bad At All.

Published December 31, 2018 | By Joe Holmes

A VERY BIG GOAL REACHED

The ten year journey that Logan Owen and I began in 2008 reached the long term goal this year when he signed his World Tour contract with Education First. Developing Logan from a junior in Bremerton, WA to a World Tour Pro living in Belgium – I know that “Pride” may be one of the “Seven Deadly Sins” – that said, I am very proud of what Logan and I have been able to accomplish together. Now for the next chapter.

BACK ON THE DOMESTIC CIRCUIT

I journeyed back to Arkansas this past spring to be the guest director for the Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team at the Joe Martin Stage Race. It was nice being back on the U.S. Domestic Circuit after a 2 year hiatus.

BACK TO EU WITH USA CYCLING JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT

Checking another country off the list when I journeyed to the Czech Republic with USA Cycling’s Junior National Team for The Peace Race.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL DERBY DAYS CRIT

2018 was the 7th year that Tête de la Course Cycling produced The Redmond Derby Days Criterium and the 7th year that long time partner Castelli was involved.

As always – champagne for the Derby Days winner to spray

LOTS OF PODIUM APPEARANCES

Logan Owen made it onto the podium as Most Aggressive Rider in his first World Tour Race at The Tour Down Under

Kaia Schmid made her way onto three different National Championship podiums in three different disciplines this year in the junior women 15-16 category. Remember that name.

Thorsten Askervold won the bronze in the scratch race at this year’s elite men’s National Track Championships.

There were A LOT of podium presentations for the 15-16 USA Cycling Junior group that I directed in EU in August!

Luke Lamperti – only the second American to win The Tour of West Flanders.

Only two Americans have won the overall at The West Flanders Tour, Logan Owen in 2011 and Luke Lamperti in 2018. It was an honor to play a small role in both.

Heidi Franz in her first UCI Classification Jersey – QOM at The Tour de l’Ardeche

LOTS OF GREAT RIDES (and Recovery Drinks After)

Riding with old friends and making some new – including World Champion Peter Sagan this past summer in Park City, Utah.

Recovery beer with my friend Sylvester in Park City. I met Sylvester last year at the UCI Coaching Course and we have stayed in touch. Suffice it to say, bike riding can open many doors to new friends and new experiences in a lot of new places.

I took the plunge and got myself a gravel bike this year. Just this ride alone up Deer Park in the Olympic Peninsula that i did in October with Heidi Franz was worth it.