PUEBLO, COLORADO – 12 October 2024 – COS Racing dominated the Grassroots Gravel race in Pueblo, with thirteen riders claiming multiple overall and age-group podiums. The event featured four challenging routes: 15-, 40-, 75-, and 110-mile courses, winding through some epically challenging gravel countryside on a beautiful fall day.

In the overall results, masters racer Aaron Sudduth won the 40-mile race, while teammate Boudewijn Van Werven claimed second in the 75-miler from a bunch sprint against several Subaru-Groove and Cinch Cycling racers.

COS Racing also secured over seven top-5 age-group finishes across the 40-, 75-, and 110-mile routes. Notable finishes included first place for Van Werven (75mi, 30+) and Sudduth (40mi, 40+), second place for team coach Daniel Matheny (110mi, 40+) and veteran teammate George York (75mi, 60+), third place for Justin Jewell (40mi, 30+), fourth place for Matt Wright (40mi, 40+), and fifth place for first-year racer Cory ‘Tommy’ Martin (75mi, 30+).  Of note, this last stand-out performance took place despite it being Martin's first-gravel race. COS Racing will be expecting similar performances going forward in 2025.

Additional top age-group finishers included Guillermo Rosaly (6th, 75mi, 30+), Roman Pena (7th, 75mi, 19+), Mike Rucker (7th, 110mi, 40+), Mike Elmer (8th, 40mi, 50+), Scott Cadwallader (10th, 75mi, 40+), and John Woolridge (13^th, 75mi, 50+).  All COS Racing riders finished in the top-third overall in their respective fields, demonstrating the depth of COS Racing's gravel contingent. 

Now in its second year, Grassroots Gravel is a gravel race held in Pueblo, Colorado. It is a one-day event with various distances for all levels of riders. The routes offer a mix of steep climbs, technical descents, and sandy stretches, challenging both physical and mental fortitude.

The race is known for its community-focused atmosphere, professional-level organization, and focus on supporting local businesses and organizations. This year, most race distances sold out, reflecting its growing popularity.

Aaron Sudduth - 1st OA, 1st AG in 40-mile (Lil Chili)

Van Werven - 2nd OA, 1st AG in 75-mile ("The Half")

George York - 2nd AG in 75-mile ("The Half")

Tommy Martin - 5th AG in 75-mile ("The Half"), but lost on the podium.

Congratulations to all who raced.

The fast and furious criterium course near Sedalia, CO, played host to the Colorado State Criterium Championships on June 29th, and COS Racing was there to mix it up. While the team didn't quite crack the podium, we put in a spirited performance with several top-10 finishes.

J. Erik Hartel proved to be COS Racing's standout rider, battling hard for a well-earned 4th place in the fiercely competitive Masters Men (MM) 50+ category. Justin Jewell and Laith Abbas also turned in heads-up rides, nabbing 7th  and 9th place finishes in the MM 40+ and Men's Cat 4 races, respectively.  Notably, Abbas narrowly avoided a late crash in the finishing stretch to take his top-ten.  Finally, Creed Ebell finished 14th in Mens Cat 5.  

The technical demands of the course were on full display throughout the day, with riders forced to balance power and precision on the quick laps. Despite not hitting the top step, COS Racing showed their resilience and tactical awareness, emerging from the dust with several strong results.

Elbert, CO (May 25, 2024) - COS Racing is bringing the heat to this weekend's Mad Gravel Dirt Fest. In addition to fielding numerous individual riders for Saturday's Circuit Race, over a dozen riders will compete across various distances in Sunday's HEMI Gravel event. The team will also field five squads for Monday's signature REVOLVR relay race, a grueling cycling endurance test.

COS Racing is no stranger to the Mad Gravel Dirt Fest. Over two dozen COS Racing individuals have competed in previous years across three days of competition. Over twenty teams are currently registered for the inaugural edition of the REVOLVR relay, promising to be another exciting competition. The relay format pushes team members to their limits, demanding seamless transitions and unwavering focus.

With five teams in the mix, COS Racing is showcasing its depth and talent. The tentative teams for the REVOLVR will be the following:

• MALE: Aaron Telian, Kyle Wederquist, Laith Abbas, Dennis Patton 
• FEMALE: Cindi Brothers, Barb Huey, Charlotte Miller, Holly Rysewyk 
• TEAM M1: Brian McCall, Michael Brothers, Chris Ferguson, Adam Bentson
• TEAM M2: J. Erik Hartel, Ron Budhi, Drew Wacker, Dean Carlson
• TEAM M3: Ian Matteson, Beau Worthington, Dean Carlson, Nick Collier, Scott Cadwallader, Stephen South

The Mad Gravel Dirt Fest promises a weekend of high-octane gravel racing, and COS Racing is poised to be a major contender. Be sure to follow the action on Monday to see how our individual racers and relays teams fare in relay race.

Fountain, CO (May 7, 2024) – COS Racing p/b Breakaway Gels battled strong winds and challenging terrain at the 2024 Fountain Groove Road Race held on Sunday, May 6th. The race, which took place on rolling hills outside of Fountain, Colorado, offered little respite from the blustery crosswinds that battered riders throughout the race. COS Racing had a particularly successful day, taking home a first-place finish, a second, a third, and multiple fourth-place finishes across various categories.

J. Erik Hartel of COS Racing took first in the Masters Men 50+ Category 4. In a dramatic race featuring a train delay, a crash, and fierce winds, Hartel made the selection by getting into a leading breakaway at the end of Squirrel Creek Road. Despite this, Hartel found himself distanced on the headwinds on Peyton Highway. However, he regrouped with two other chasers and orchestrated a well-timed maneuver. A mile before the finish line, the threesome secretly caught up to the lead group, who had slowed their tempo in preparation the final sprint. This surprise move gave Hartel the upper hand, allowing him to win the sprint against the sole Wholesome Masters rider in the breakaway. Ron Buhdi, another COS racer, displayed impressive tenacity by chasing hard to bridge the gap and secure a respectable fourth-place finish. These two finishes allowed the team to secure the team victory for COS Racing alongside George York's seventh-place finish.

The competition was fierce in the Men's Masters 40+ Category 3 as well. Sprint specialist Aaron Sudduth of COS Racing secured a strong second-place finish after a breakaway formed on Link Hill. Similarly, Noah Bishop took third place in Mens Open Category 3 from a two-man group that survived two circuits of the 40-mile course.

Within Men's Category 5, Kurt Einsel completed his first-ever road race in 5th place, while new team member Creed Ebell survived for a 7th place finish in his first road race in almost two decades.

Congratulations to all COS Racing riders who competed last weekend.  Next up for COS Racing will be the three-day Omnium in Boulder and Memorial Day’s epic gravel weekend at Mad Gravel in Elbert, CO.

Colorado Springs, CO & Tucson, AZ - We are exceptionally pleased to announce that Breakaway Energy Gels has become the title sponsor for COS Racing for the 2023/2024 season. Starting in early 2024, we will race as "COS Racing Presented By (p/b) Breakaway Energy," acknowledging the outstanding generosity of Breakaway Energy founders Levi Thornton and Rebecca Lewandowski, Ph.D. 

COS Racing's 2024 team kit will reflect this change with the stylish Breakaway Energy logo prominently featured on the front and the back of our race jersey. COS Racing is excited about this partnership and fueling the 2024 season with Breakaway Energy products. Given our team's emphasis on performance and endurance, this partnership will be a natural fit.

Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, in the foothills of Mt. Lemmon, Breakaway Energy is the manufacturer of nutritional products that use long- and short-chain carbohydrates that work with the body's uptake receptors to build a latticework of multi-staged energy supplements for endurance athletes. 

As a cash sponsor and provider of nutritional products, Breakaway Energy’s sponsorship will allow us to sustain our decade-long success in promoting bike racing at the local, regional, and national levels.  Breakaway's gels will feature prominently in our fueling strategies at upcoming key events, such as the Pony Xpress Gravel race and the Mad Gravel Memorial Day Weekend Festival of Cycling and Dirt.

For additional information on Breakaway Energy Products, please visit their website at Breakaway Energy.

Trinidad, Colorado – September 30, 2023 – In a solid display of grit and determination, COS Racing showcased their gravel prowess at the Rad Dirt Fest held in Trinidad, Colorado. Nine COS Racing riders competed across two race distances in an event that featured relentless Colorado sun and the rugged terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

The day’s standout performance came from Aaron Sudduth, who clinched an impressive 4th place finish out of 216 riders in the 40-mile “Frijoles” race. At the same time, Robin Schroyer captured 7th place in a talented women’s field, solidifying COS Racing’s reputation as a strong force in Colorado gravel cycling. In the men’s race, Sudduth was followed closely by Masters’ racer Tracy Sharples, who achieved a commendable 9th place finish. George York secured a solid 14th place in the same demanding race. 

In the 68-mile “Anteloop” event, Emily Reynolds and new team member Stephen Masopust achieved 9th and 14th in their age groups, respectively.

Back in the Frijoles race, COS Racing was highly visible throughout – particularly on the challenging doubletrack circuit around Lake Trinidad, where most of the top dozen wore the orange-and-blue jerseys of COS Racing. On that same segment, which Sudduth described as more reminiscent of cyclocross than gravel, Sudduth and Erik Hartel went clear of the bunch with a few companions, eventually achieving more than a one-minute gap over a chasing group led by Sharples.

Unfortunately, just before the 7215-ft summit turn-around, Sudduth flatted. On the 7-mile rolling descent through Burro Canyon, Hartel – now alone – wilted in the 25mph headwinds and was eventually overtaken again by Sudduth, who had joined forces with Sharples in a five-person chase group. By mile 39, Sudduth slipped away from that group and finished just off the podium in 4th.

In other finishes, Matt Wright took 23rd , and Mike Elmer finished in 33rd place. All COS Racing riders finished in the top 20% of their fields, except Hartel, who abandoned late in the race.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - Congratulations to all our SBT GRVL racers! COS Racing took home seven age-group podiums and one overall - an impressive fact given that over 2236 riders were competing in a stacked field full of pros and national-level competitors.

FULL RESULTS

BOULDER, CO - COS Racing showcased their competitive spirit and determination at the Superville Omnium, held amidst the smoky beauty of Boulder, Colorado, from 19th to 21st May 2023. The team's riders delivered solid performances across multiple events, securing notable finishes and highlighting their capabilities in a highly talented field.

The Superville Omnium, a three-day Bicycle Colorado extravaganza in the Boulder area towns of Superior and Louisville – hence ‘Superville’ - is known for its challenging courses and competition. It incorporates several previously separate events, including the Superior Time Trial, Superior Morgul Road Race, and the Louisville Crit.

COS Racing rider Lindsey Baumann, made her impressive 2023 debut, securing a remarkable 5th place overall finish despite only racing two of the series’ three events.  Baumann's outstanding performance in the Omnium showcased her talent and determination as she navigated the demanding course with skill and precision. In the competitive Men's 50+ Category 4 Omnium, George York and J. Erik Hartel finished 16th and 18th overall against almost 60 riders who competed over three days. Their consistent efforts in a challenging field illustrated their ability to compete against top riders and maintain a strong presence throughout the event.

In the individual time trial, York and Hartel secured solid finishes. York claimed 10th place, while Hartel closely followed in 12th place, highlighting their proficiency in this challenging discipline. In the Women's Cat 4 time trial, Baumann's abilities were on full display as she raced to an impressive 2nd place finish.  

The Louisville Criterium witnessed greater COS Racing representation, with riders taking on a technical one-mile course that featured a high-speed tight corner at the end of a fast descent. In the crash-free Master’s race, Hartel and York secured 7th and 12th places in a combined field of 23 riders.  After the race, Hartel noted that despite coming into the final corner optimally positioned near the front, he and York were swamped by a franticly chasing rear of the peloton.  The ensuing scrum and emergency braking in the final corner meant that Hartel and York had to drag race up the finishing ascent through a mass of fading riders.  Though both recovered many positions lost, neither was pleased with the outcome.

Also in the criterium, Laith Abbas finished an impressive 16th from a large and talented field of over 40, including national-caliber Junior riders. Abbas' performance in this crash-marred event against such intense competition reflects his determination and potential for future success. Returning from injury, Ryan Arthur displayed his resilience and commitment in the Men's Category 5 criterium, securing a commendable 19^th-place finish.

Finally, in the Superior Morgul Road Race, COS Racing's riders continued to excel. The Mogul Road Race is a challenging out-and-back route with multiple challenging climbs.  Lauren McMurtry and Lindsey Baumann delivered strong performances, finishing 5th and 7th in the four-lap Women's Category 4 race, with McMurtry finishing strongly from a three-rider chase group. In the Men's Category 4 race, York and Hartel crossed the line in 8th and 9th place, respectively, from a highly competitive field of over 32 riders. Although racing strongly throughout, both missed the winning breakaway after an unexpected attack on Lap 3 split the field on the big climb while both were trapped on the inside.  Despite vigorous attempts to bridge to the breakaway, Hartel and York eventually found themselves in no man’s land buffeted by heavy crosswinds; they settled for a team time trial to the finish.

Abbas achieved his best weekend result with an 11^th-place finish in the Men's Category 4 race, while Arthur continued his comeback efforts, finishing 14th in the Men's Category 5 race.

COS Racing's presence and commendable finishes at the Superville Omnium exemplify their reputation as a competitive team. The performances of Lindsey Baumann, George York, J. Erik Hartel, Laith Abbas, Lauren McMurtry, and Ryan Arthur in various disciplines highlight their strengths and their collective potential.

ELBERT COUNTY, CO - This Memorial Day weekend, COS Racing will be headed to Elbert County and the Peaceful Valley Scout Camp to compete in three days of off-road racing at the 2023 Mad Gravel event present by Rattler Racing. This event will consist of a gravel circuit race, gravel road race, an XC MTB event, and a trail run.

In addition to historically being one of the home races for COS Racing, this event is particularly significant because Mad Gravel has incorporated the HEMI gravel race into its program.  The HEMI was previously a separate gravel event held in Kansas in remembrance of Craig Henwood – the son of COS Racing team members Kristine and Steve Johnson – who was killed in a gravel race in 2019.

Rattler Racing is also partnering with team sponsor and coach Daniel Matheny of Matheny Endurance to provide coaching services in preparation for this event.

We are anticipating significant COS Racing participation in this event and encourage the off-road cycling community to join us for an exciting three days of racing.