Kate Courtney, a 30-year-old former mountain biker and XCO World Champion, is making a bold transition to road racing with a two-and-a-half-year contract with FDJ United-Suez. This move comes after a period of exploration and experimentation, including winning a marathon mountain bike World Championship and setting a Leadville course record. Courtney's journey to road racing began with a call from Tanner Putt, the National Road Team director for USA Cycling, and her curiosity about the discipline. She embraced the challenge, winning the US national championship in her inaugural road event, and is now signed to one of the best women's teams in the world.
Courtney's decision to join FDJ is driven by the team's culture of excellence, teamwork, and aggressive pursuit of victory. She is drawn to the high-performance team and the opportunity to learn from and contribute to team success. The team's commitment to storytelling and inspiring the next generation of cyclists is also a key factor in her decision. Despite the challenges of joining a team with superstars, Courtney is eager to learn from her teammates and contribute to the team's success.
The transition to road racing is a significant athletic challenge, requiring Courtney to adapt to longer-duration efforts and different physiological demands. She views this as an opportunity to explore her potential and unlock new aspects of her physiology. Courtney's experience with longer efforts and altitude climbing in mountain biking has prepared her for the challenges of road racing, and she is excited to see how her body responds to the demands of the discipline.
The business side of cycling is another fascinating aspect of Courtney's journey. With She Sends Racing, she took a huge risk, striking out on her own in a system dependent on factory teams. She became an entrepreneur, learning the business side of cycling and managing the challenges of building a brand and securing sponsors. This experience has helped her believe in herself again and has prepared her for the challenges of joining a professional team.
Courtney's journey to road racing is a testament to her willingness to take risks and embrace new challenges. She is all in on this new chapter, with no intermediate setting. Her competitive aspirations are squarely on the road, and she is eager to explore her potential and unlock new aspects of her physiology. With her experience, determination, and support from FDJ, Courtney is poised to make a significant impact in road racing and inspire the next generation of cyclists.
