Giving thanks, the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team way

“We must be a handsome pair,” Mike Tamayo said. “Everyone wants to photograph us.”

[Text below courtesy of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team]

Oakland, CA – As 2012 winds down and Thanksgiving approaches, the 21 riders of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team are giving thanks and reflecting on what they were thankful for this holiday season. Here’s what several of the Team members had to say:

Mike Tamayo (General Manager/Team Director): “There are a lot of things that I am thankful for in 2012.  It was a great season for the Team, with lots of success on the bike. We really did reach a big audience in promoting exercise and healthier lifestyle. Personally, I am always thankful for my health, as well as great family and friends. 2012 was a bit more special with it being an Olympic year, and having my wife (Lauren Tamayo) not only compete but also win a Silver Medal in London is something we are very thankful for and proud of.”

Jeff Louder as best Utah rider, 2012 Tour of Utah

Jeff Louder (USA): “I am thankful for my family and friends, particularly my wife and kids. I am grateful and feel very fortunate that I have so many people in my life that I can rely on and who can rely on me.” 

Brad White (USA):“I’m thankful for my wife, kids, and family that support me in my career as a professional cyclist. Without them I couldn’t do what I do.”

Jake Keough (USA): “I am thankful for my family and friends and having the opportunity to enjoy an amazing career. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team is a group of people who are all driven to win and have a like-minded approach and a singular focus on the task at hand. Growing up through cycling I searched high and low to surround myself with people who have the same goals as I did and would allow me to reach my potential. I can say I have found that here and for that I am thankful!”

Luke Keough (USA): “I have raced my entire life and throughout that time I have been given so many opportunities to progress. This year in particular the step to the United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team is one that I am extremely thankful for. Also during my entire career I have had tons of support from my family. Without them I would not be where I am now nor would I have tools to get where I am going.”

Kiel Reijnen

Kiel Reijnen (USA): “I am thankful for my new, wonderful supportive wife, and to a fresh start with the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team in 2013.”

John Murphy (USA): “I am thankful to be close to my family and friends. The best thing about the holidays is getting the entire family together under one roof and I’m fortunate to spend the holidays with my family who are close by here in North Carolina. I am also quite thankful for being healthy and being able to make my dream of bike racing happen for another year. Every bike ride is a gift to which I am thankful to be able to do.”

Adrian Hegyvary (USA): “I am thankful for good health, friends and family.”

Danny Summerhill (USA): “I am thankful to be fortunate enough to have been signed by such a phenomenal program. I am also thankful for my family’s health and thankful Hurricane Sandy victims are finally starting to get life back together.”

Alessandro Bazzana(ITA): “Although I am not American, I can appreciate the spirit of Thanksgiving and I am thankful for a lot of things. I am especially thankful for the beauty of Mother Nature and being able to do a job where I have close contact with it. I am also thankful for having a healthy family around me which has let me choose my own path in life.” 

Karl Menzies (AUS): “I am thankful for a healthy family.”  

Happy Thanksgiving!

The 2013 UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Roster:

Jake Keough (USA)

Hilton Clarke (AUS)

Robert Förster (GER)

Marc de Maar (CUR)

Jeff Louder (USA)

Ben Day (AUS)

Jonny Clarke (AUS)

Brad White (USA)

Chris Jones (USA)

Philip Deignan (IRE)

Karl Menzies (AUS)

Davide Frattini (ITA)

Adrian Hegyvary (USA)

Lucas Euser (USA)

Alessandro Bazzana (ITA)

Luke Keough (USA)

Aldo Ilesic (SLO)

Kiel Reijnen (USA)

Martin Irvine (IRE)

Danny Summerhill (USA)

John Murphy (USA)

Marc de Maar, 2012 Tour of the Gila