Nebraska Cycling News

 

2008 marks the fifth year for the Midwest Wheelasters Cycling Team. Based out of Lincoln, the Midwest Wheelmasters trade name is Lincoln Industries-Highgear. Team Manager, John Lefler, Jr has assembled the largest squad to date for the Midwest Wheelmasters with riders from Lincoln, Omaha, Sioux City, Webster City and Kansas City compriding the 18-rider roster. With a primary emphasis on road racing, the Midwest Wheelmasters will compete in select off-road race series in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri as well as a full slate of cyclo-cross races, including the USAC National Championships in Kansas City.

The youngest member of the Midwest Wheelmasters, Aaron Pool will represent the team with the Cycling Center Team in Belgium. After a brief training camp in New Mexico, Pool will leave for Europe for the majority of the '08 season returning in September. You can track Aaron's progress and exploits through his rider page on the Midwest Wheelmasters website.

In addition to a full racing calendar, the Midwest Wheelmasters are active in race promotion and support. Team members will race and/or volunteer at the Spring Cycling Classic in April, Psycowpath MTB Series event in September and the Nebraska Cyclo-cross Series in November, which are all promoted by the race promotion arm of the team, Midwest WheelEvents.

There will be three licensed USAC Race Officials from Midwest Wheelmasters following the Nebraska Cycling Association Race Officials Clinic, January 26 and Lefler continues to expand his resume of race announcing, most recently hired as one of the race announcers at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA.

The Midwest Wheelmasters will unveil their new team website in March to match the branding with the newly arrived team kits. The "blue train" has been replaced with an updated look to reflect the changes with title sponsor, Lincoln Industries (formerly Lincoln Plating).

2008 roster:
John Lefler, Jr. - Team Manager
Kelly Soden - Assistant Team Manager
Sean Craig - Assistant Team Manager
Kevin Burke - Team Captain
Troy Krause
Craig Schmidt
Jon Randell
Mike Munson
Ryan Legg
Aaron Pool
Jeremy Reimer
Christian Davenport

New members for 2008:
Kelly Irwin
Thad Neil
Chet Henry
Tom Price
Don Raskey
Scott Stevens

Midwest Wheelmasters are graciously supported by:
Lincoln Industries www.lincolnindustries.com
Highgear Bicycle Store of Omaha www.highgearomaha.com

To learn more about the Midwest Wheelmasters, our riders, events and more, visit: www.midwestwheelmasters.org