Team America Says, “Bring It”

Team America (formed informally in 2007 and formally at the beginning of 2008) was created with the intention of developing and supporting new American talent in the disciplines of dual slalom and downhill.

Since joining the Team America collective, riders Cody Warren, Cole Bangert, Nico Mulally and Chris Herndon are quickly shaking any kind of “underdog” moniker with success in both 2007 and 2008.

All four are following the Jeep series in 2008 with the intention of putting as many bodies on the podium as possible. While these biking bandits are subtle and unassuming off the course, watch out when the gate drops--it’s fightin’ time. Check ‘em out below.

The Cowboy

A cowboy on and off the bike, Cole Bangert, age 23, hails from Twin Lakes, CO, a town made up of a mere 52 people. Winner of the 2007 US National Downhill Championships in Mount Snow, Vermont (one of the burliest downhill courses in mountain biking), Cole claims to be a mountain kid who just loves riding bikes. During the winters, Bangert works construction so he can save his pennies for his bike addiction.

The Southern Charmer

The 2007 Dual Slalom National Champion, Chris Herndon, age 27, from North Carolina, comes from a successful regional and collegiate racing background. Known for his cornering skills and precision in dual slalom racing, Chris takes his training seriously and follows the Carmichael Training Systems (a training program developed by Lance Armstrong’s coach, Chris Carmichael). Chris pulls double duty as both a pro mountain biker and general contractor.

Youth Lightning

At 15-years-old, Neko Mulally is the baby of this foursome, and he recently won the junior division of the 2008 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships (downhill) in West Dover, VT. A high school student who likes to pole vault and snowboard in his free time, this focused racer can hold his own in the pro division, too. He competes in his first Jeep event in New Jersey.

The Silent Killer

Known as the “silent killer” because of his strategic line selection, Cody Warren, age 22, from Alpine, CA first dominated at the junior level when he became the 2002 Junior National Downhill Champ. It’s been a fast ride downhill since for Warren who matched that title in 2005, but in the pro division. An avid snowboarder who also loves to ride his motorcycle, Warren finished 4th at all three Jeep 48STRAIGHT stops in 2007.

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