Announcing the 2016 xXx Racing-Athletico Elite Roster
By Emily Laflamme | Jan 19, 2016
xXx Racing is proud to present its 2016 Elite Road, Track, and Cyclocross Teams! We're thrilled with the success we had in 2015 and look forward to even more excitement this year.
The road team will be led by the 2015 Illinois Cat 1 Road Race Champion Ryan O'Boyle, the 2015 P/1/2 Lakes Area Omnium Winner Jake Buescher, and the 2015 Glencoe Grand Prix 2/3 Champion Tyler George. The team's primary focus will be to capture omnium titles and the overall at the Midwest Flyover Series. Ben LaForce, Nikos Hessert, Ryan Fay, and Austin Venhuizen are returning to action while strong newcomers Aaron Baker, Rob Whittier, Igor Shvytov help round out one of the most talented local road squads in the Midwest. In addition, the team will look to find successes at the Joe Martin Stage Race, Amateur Road Nationals, and the North Star Grand Prix.
The track team will again have a strong presence at Northbrook, while sending a squad to Elite Track Nationals in Trexlertown. Nikos Hessert, who placed 6th in the Junior Track Worlds Points Race, will look to build upon his Nationals performance at the Elite Level, while Courtney O'Neill, last year's 3rd place finisher in the ROTY standings, looks to have another strong season at the velodrome. Johnny Kuhfahl, a very promising young rider also joins the squad after winning both National and State titles last year.
The cyclocross team will be led by Jess Whiton, who gained tremendous experience racing at Nationals and many UCI sponsored events last year. Brian Piotrowski will be back and looking to have a strong year after battling injury throughout 2015. The team looks to have fun, race well, and be a presence both locally and at UCI sponsored events in 2016.
The team enjoys the support of a number of generous sponsors, including Athletico, a leading provider of physical rehabilitation services to the Chicagoland region. In addition, the team is proud to receive sponsorship from Psimet Wheels, Van Dessel bicycles, Roll: bike shop, Pactimo apparel, Freeman Kevenides Law Firm, Rudy Project helmets and glasses, Saris power meters, trainers and bike storage, and Fitness Formula Clubs.
Road Aaron Baker Jake Buescher Ryan Fay Tyler George Nikos Hessert Ben LaForce Ryan O'Boyle Igor Shvytov Rob Whittier Austin Venhuizen Track Tyler George Nikos Hessert Johnny Kuhfahl Courtney O'Neill Cyclocross Tyler George Ben LaForce Courtney O'Neill Brian Piotrowski Jessica Whiton