As the 2013 season comes to a close, the team and staff from the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team would like to thank all of our sponsors, fans, friends, family and media, for all of the support and coverage throughout this incredible season.
The team garnered a significant number of wins, podium finishes and top 10s throughout the year, but hard work, determination and dedication do not always result in victories. However, teamwork, great attitude and a positive approach to what the entire team and staff do every day do yield long-term success every time.
This year’s Tour of Britain wasn’t as kind to the boys from Team UnitedHealthcare as the past two years were with multiple podiums and special classification jerseys riders like Marc de Maar and (former team member) Boy van Poppel secured in the event’s 2012 edition; the never quit approach to racing that has defined this team did not disappear. Even after several crashes, terrible weather conditions and Phil Deignan’s fractured collarbone suffered during the time trial, the adversity the riders faced didn’t diminish that positive outlook.
Chris Jones (who finished 5th overall in the 2012 Tour of Britain) personifies the definition of the consummate teammate. Enjoy his perspective and approach to not just racing, but life, “In His Own Words” written prior to Stage 5 of this year’s Tour of Britain.
“IN HIS OWN WORDS: On the Road with Chris Jones – Tour of Britain 2013”
Words: Chris Jones
Images: Jonathan Devich (Tour of Utah, Coppi e Bartali shots, 2013) and Rob Lampard (Tour of Britain shots, 2013)
I remember one of the first life lessons I learned in college was that some days there is swell and some days is it flat, but you still suit up, paddle out everyday and wait in the line up for a wave. While my parents were not impressed when I told them this in response to their asking about what I had learned my first semester of college, I believe it applies to cycling and life in general. We pin our numbers on before each stage and aim to win, sometimes we succeed, often times we fall short.
Last year’s Tour of Britain was one of the highlights of my season. The team was on point, we were winning stages and jerseys and doing so in style. This season all indicators pointed towards a similar performance. We’ve had a great year and August was an extremely productive month for the team, with podiums on multiple stages at the Tour of Utah and USA Pro Challenge. And with the victory at Bucks County (in September), needless to say, the team was confident as we began the Tour of Britain a few stages ago.
On the flat days, I recall thinking; Why are we out here in the water? Guys would idly chat while many of the old timers would just sit and one particularly crusty local put it, “Enjoy being one with the water.” That always struck me as particularly zen of him, but his comment has stuck with me through the years.