Cycling Team Sponsored by Pritzker Olsen Law Firm Marks Successful Race Season
With the 2009 season of competitive junior cycling completed, we recently received an update on the Minnesota Junior Cycling team sponsored by Pritzker Olsen law firm. Our partnership with coach Dag Selander’s championship, amateur race team has been a long-term commitment that continues to benefit dedicated cyclists under the age of 19.
Firm founder and president Fred Pritzker is an avid cyclist and former racer. Fred has many years of experience representing bicyclists of all experience levels who are injured or killed in road accidents involving trucks, cars and other motor vehicles. As a law firm dedicated to upholding the rights of injured people, we continue to rely and succeed on the basis of your referrals, especially in the area of bicycle commuting and touring.
Here is the team update from Dag and assistant Mike Berkopec. Congratulations on another successful year!
2009 was a record year for Minnesota Junior Cycling in many ways. We had a record number of riders — 19 in all. Five are young women and 10 were new to the program. Our members naturally move onto the next level once they are 19, so new, young riders are a key to our mission.
Although racing and competition are at the heart of our program, the most meaningful reward is seeing our members grow as young adults. Coach Dag works with each individual to match their motivation to their goals. And due to our generous sponsors, we were able to support eight riders this year at the national road championships in Bend, Oregon. We also gave support to four riders who attended USA Cycling development camps.
Each rider grew and had success in 2009, but a few specific accomplishments are worth mentioning. Colton Barrett, 18, has been riding with us for 4 years. In July, Colton won a national championship on the track in California. He has a very bright cycling career ahead of him. At the USA Cycling US National Championships in Oregon, Nora Bengel, another one of our veteran riders, broke through some barriers and despite getting “dropped” several times by the pack, she finished with the group by the end of the race.
We thank Pritzker Olsen for its support, and we are busy planning for 2010.