Vuelta Rider Jade Wilcoxson just received an invitation to compete in the Nature Valley Grand Prix in Minnesota, one of the biggest pro races in the country. Check out Jade’s blog for some more details!
Brand Jade Goes National at Sea Otter
We’ve always know that Vuelta rider Jade Wilcoxson can mix it up with the “Big Girls,” but Jade’s blistering performance at last weekend’s 2011 Sea Otter Classic left no doubt that she can do more than mix it up. Keep in mind that the venerable Sea Otter (has it really been 21 years…my joints are creaking) is the season opener where the big teams showcase their Pro riders for the season and test their talent against the national competition. Along comes independent Northwest gunslinger Jade Wilcoxson. Although having no team to back her up, Jade road like a screaming banshee to take 1st place on the event-climaxing Circuit Race. That first gave Jade 2nd overall after having bagged 7th in both the Road Race and the Crit.
Naturally, we’re thrilled that Jade chose to ride and win on Vuelta Wheels. Congratulations Jade! It couldn’t happen to a nicer girl.
Refusing To Quit, Jade Holds On.
Three days of racing and the women’s overall had come down to who could race the fastest over the final uphill sprint. Being alone, no teammates close by, Wilcoxson had to keep a close eye on her competitor Jessica Hansen while also watching out for other GC girls.
“The top three GC girls were trying to work together, but then on the last lap I spent a lot of time on the front,” says Jade. “I didn’t know far down on GC (Hannah) was, but I was worried the whole time and was hoping the rest of us would work together, but that didn’t happen as smoothly as I’d hoped. Then we saw their coach and he told the other BC girls not to work because it was going to be close. And so then I was like “Oh crap.” So I started working really hard.”
Jessica was the first one to cross the line, but Jade’s determination to give it 100% down to the last minute paid off when she won the overall and brought home the leader’s jersey.
Jade is On Fire
Jade Wilcoxson riding Vuelta Wheels has won the overall title in the 4 stage Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic. Jade won Stage 1 on April 1st and the Time Trial the following day at the season opening Pro Race in Oregon this weekend. Her overall win as a PRO was riding Vuelta Wheels. She was riding the prototype “Race” wheelset yesterday and Corsa Carbon 50C’s today in the time trial. Great Job!
Check out this great press.
http://oregon.cyclingaction.com/2011/owen-wilcoxson-get-cbcc-stage-1-wins/
http://oregon.cyclingaction.com/2011/wilcoxson-mckissick-score-cbcc-tt-wins/
Cool Christian Isakson Vid
Credit to Jeremy Frechette for the video.
Spy Photo: Jade’s Latest Rocket
Somebody with an iPhone captured TT-terror Jade Wilcoxson’s latest speed machine. According to Jade it was just put together last night and sports the yet-unnamed disc wheel from Vuelta. This first gives us a hint about the direction of Vuelta’s 2012 product line. This particular wheel will eventually make it through to bike shops, after Jade has a chance to thrash on it a bit.
Meantime, word from Jade is that she’s taking the new ride to the Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic, a prominent regional stage race in The Dalles east of Portland. If you’re in the Pac Northwest April 1-3, turn out and look for the latest in tt technology from Vuelta wheels.
Epic 5
Vuelta-sponsored athlete, Christian Isakson is currently training to participate in an intense event called Epic 5. The five day journey will be taking place on five islands: Kauai, Oahu, Moloka’i, Maui, and Kona. In the event, five different triathletes selected from all around the world will swim, bike and run all in an average of 15 hours, eventually completing the 703 mile journey.
The event was created by Jason Lester, a man who intends on getting youth to reach the peak of their potential through being active. The athletes all have one charity slot and one 3 person relay team. Proceeds from the event will go to the Never Stop Foundation‘s goal in creating “The Epic Center” in Kailua Kona.
You can learn more about Epic 5 here: http://www.epic5.com/
Introducing Christian Isakson
Vuelta Wheels is proud to sponsor Christian Isakson, an aspiring triathlete who wants to make a change. Isakson has raised money for Romanian children and medical missions to Haiti. Now, he’s raising money in order to support a non profit organization the he believes exposes an issue that tears families apart.
He will be participating in an event called Epic 5, an intense athletic and spiritual journey, where Christian hopes to bring families together and save minds. “Together-That’s what life’s all about, right?” Christian asserts. You can learn more about him on his website:
http://www.luke920.com/index.html
Good luck, Christian.
Congratulations, Jade!
We’re really excited about the great start Jade is getting on this season’s Pac Northwest racing scene. Her last 2 Southern Oregon time trials she broke the women’s record and beat her best time by 2 minutes!
Screamin’ deal of the week
“The [wheel] discovery of the year.” — Road Bike Action
Our Corsa Superlight wheel is now just $400 per pair with FREE FREIGHT! That’s a screaming deal.
Click here to read the Road Bike Action review of the Corsa Superlight.
