2011 GROM Racing Team
David Dressler - GROM Racer (affiliate racer in 2011 - Team Rider in 2012)
Age: 13
Category: Amateur (affiliate member in 2011 - Team Rider in 2012)
Career Hightlights: 2011 Massanutten Yee-Ha 1st Place Beginner 18 & Under, 2011 Upstate Sorba SC State Championships 1st Place Cat. 3 18 & Under, 2011 US National Championships 1st Place - 11 & 12 yr. olds, 3rd Place Snowshoe Race #1 Intro 17 & Under.
David's big brother Reid is former GROM racer Reid Dressler. In 2011 David rode as an affiliate GROM rider under the leadership of the older GROM riders. By the end of the season, David's skill and speed was dramatically improved, demonstrated by his performance at the US National Championships. In addition to his enthusiasm for riding bikes, David enjoys playing football on his local team.
Click Here to see David's USA Cycling Results
Luca Shaw - GROM Racer (2010 & 2011 Racer)
Age: 15
Category: Amateur
Career Hightlights: 2011 Dual Slalom US National Champion (Cat. 1 - 18 & under) and 2011 US Open Dual Slalom Winner (18 & Under) plus fastest time on the mountain of all classes 2011 Paris Mountain Downhill - 2010 was Luca's inaugural mountain bike season and it brought three first place downhill finishes: Hawksnest Dirtybird Series races #1 and #2, Beech Mountain Race #2. The 2010 season highlight was a national championship in 4X at the US Nationals in Granby Ranch, Colorado. In addition, he had first place Dual Slalom finishes at Snowshoe Mountain and Beech Mountain/Lees McRae races.
Luca has been successfully racing BMX for several years, starting with a 5th at 10yo Expert National, 2nd at 11yo Expert National, 3rd 12yo Expert National, 3rd at 2009 Grand Nationals, 4-time Carolina State Champion, and in 2010 he finished 3rd at the NBL Grand Nationals in Louisville, KY.
Luca loves riding and racing bicycles. He enjoys BMX, CX, and Road as well as a newfound love of mountain biking this year. He formerly rode with the Schanewolf Cycle Sports BMX team, but now spends most of his time riding with his brother, Walker.
Luca is a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack. He is calm and calculated and his riding is smooth and effortless. This creates the illusion that he is just cruising down the course, but when you see his time you quickly realize he cruises a lot faster than normal. Look for Luca on top of the box in the years to come.
Click Here to see Luca's GROM interview video
Jay Fesperman- GROM Racer (2010 - current racer)
Age: 15
Category: Amateur
Career Highlights: 2011 US Open Downhill Champion (18 & under) along with 2nd place in the Snowshoe Mountain Downhill Series (Elite riders all ages) plus 4th place US Open Giant Slalom finish and 1st place Dual Slalom finish at ETSU Tennessee state championships. 2010 US National Championship Downhill 13-14 year olds - 1st, 2010 Snowshoe Powerade Series Junior Expert - 1st, 2010 Beech Mountain Downhill Races 1 and 3 - 1st, Several 2010 podiums in dual and giant slalom at Beech Mountain and Snowshoe Mountain races, 2009 Massanutten Downhill Youth Category 2- First Place, 2009 Clemson Downhill Race Youth First Place
Jay's riding really progressed in 2010. While he's a consistent competitor, being part of a competitive team has been the momentum for Jay's faster times. Riding with teammates, getting line advice from coaches, and riding great equipment has made all the difference to him. While his finish at the 2010 US Open didn't meet his goal, it did motivate him to finish the year strong and to train this winter to qualify for the US Open in 2011. Jay is extremely excited to have the privilege to be a part of the team and he looks forward to 2011 and racing for GROM.
Click Here to watch Jay's GROM interview video
Jimmy Leslie - GROM Racer (2011 - current racer)
Age: 17
Category: Amateur
Career Highlights: New to Specialized/GROM for 2011 but what an impressive season: Wins at Gravity East Series at Killington and Seven Springs plus 2nd at GES Blue Mountain and Snowshoe Series race 2 in (Elite). Finished 2nd in 2011 GES Series overall. Took 1st place in Downhill at Beech Mountian's 2011 National Champs qualifer and finished 3rd in slalom. Jimmy comes from a long career in BMX, Motorcross and snow skiing. When Jimmy isn't on the bike he is winning on the skis. Jimmy placed 1st overall at the Seven Springs free skiing competition securing a sponsorship for the upcoming Winter.
After Jimmy's first year on GROM he has shown the talent needed to take racing to the top. He is the type of rider that is good at everything and progresses very quickly. Keeping it fresh in the Winter with skiing and staying on the DH bike almost non stop in the summer is going to be a combination to look out for. Jimmy looks forward to 2012 as an 18 year old rider ready to take more wins.
Eric Vest - GROM Racer (2010 - current racer)
Age: 15
Category: Amateur
Career Highlights: 2011 US National Championships 2nd Place (Cat. 2 18 & under) along with 3rd Place at ETSU downhill. 2010 ETSU Overall Competitor - 1st Place, 2010 ICYCLE Men’s XC Beginner 2nd, Men’s Downhill - 3rd, Rigid Downhill - 2nd, 2009 Massanutten Downhill Youth Category 3 -First Place
Eric just loves riding bikes; there is no other way to put it. He brings a lighthearted zeal to every race while still adhering to his own personal goals. Out of Charlotte’s Hornet’s Nest BMX racing, Eric began racing mountain bikes in 2007. His smooth and light riding style found him early podiums in Downhill, Dual Slalom, and Cross Country. When he isn’t competing, he also loves riding BMX, Street, and Dirt Jumps.
In December, on the team trip to Ray’s MTB Park, Eric tried his first back-flip attempt. Landing on his head didn’t wipe the smile off his face. He’ll be back for the resi-ramp and maybe even the spine this winter. Before winter back-flips, Eric was the ICYCLE’s first ever “Ironman,” entering every event held, and in 2010 he was the event’s first three-podium racer. Eric is already dreaming of next season and can’t wait to continue racing with his teammates.
Click Here to view Eric's GROM interview video
Walker Shaw - GROM Racer (2010 & 2011 racer)
Age: 16
Category: Amateur
Career Highlights: Fourth place season opener in Downhill at Sea Otter. 2011 Gravity East Wisp Downhill Winner (18 & under), 2nd Place US Open Giant Slalom (18 & under) plus 4th place US National Championship Downhill (Cat. 1 15-16) with a season finale of 2nd place at Paris Mountain Downhill (18 & under). 2010 US Nationals 4X age 15 - 2nd, NBL National #6 in 2010 & 2009 14 expert BMX, 2010 Beech Mountain DH race #2 - 2nd, Snowshoe Race #4 - 2nd, Snowshoe Giant Slalom Race #2 - 1st, 2010 East TN State Univ. Downhill & Dual Slalom - 1st, 2nd place at the 2009 French Broad River road race Omnium, 3 time NC/SC state champion BMX, Won the Winter Cup finals in CAT4 Cyclocross
Walker enjoys racing BMX, CX, and road and just loves being on a bike. His excitement is subtle, but infectious. Walker is a coveted rider to take runs with because he always has a good time. His exceptional goon riding skills make for a great day of practice. Although Walker can look goofy when he wants to, when he gets serious everyone knows it. Never losing sight of his goals, he knows that sometimes the best way to learn is to just have fun.
Click Here to see Walker's GROM interview video
Logan Mulally - GROM Racer (2011 racer)
Age: 16
Career Highlights: 2011 US National Champion Downhill (Cat. 1 - 18 & Under) and 1st Place at Massanutten in Pro with several other top 5 Pro finishes including Seven Springs, Blue Mountain, and Spring Mountain. 2010 Sugarbush GES Downhill - 1st, Highland Mountain GES Downhill - 1st, Seven Springs Mountain Resort GES Downhill - 1st, VEGG #2 X-Fusion DS/Profile Racing Downhill - 1st, Massanutten Yee-Ha! - 1st
Logan has been racing downhill since he was 10 years old and has raced in dozens of events across the country. In 2010, he had five impressive first place finishes in the Junior Expert Category at USA Cycling events. In the offseason, Logan trains with his brother Neko (17), also a Junior World Cup racer.
Logan travelled as part of GROM Racing to the UCI World Cup races internationally.
Click Here to see Logan riding at his local BMX track
Lauren Daney - GROM Racer (2010 & 2011 racer)
Age: 17
Category: Pro
Career Highlights: 2006 & 2007 US National Amateur Team
Lauren began riding BMX when she was five years old and began riding Downhill when she was twelve. In 2008 she attended 19 races with some strong finishes including 1st Junior Women at US National Championships, 1st Women's Weekend Warrior at Snowshoe Mountain's Powerade Series, plus 3 first place finishes at Diablo. In 2009 Lauren saw success when she moved up to the Amateur class with a first place finish at the US Open and even more success racing in the Pro class. She finished 4th in Elite at Snowshoe's Powerade Series, as well as 1st in slalom at Windham and Wisp.
In 2011, Lauren has set her sights on the podium at both US National Championships and Junior World Championships. Lauren has the talent to go far and we look forward to seeing where she takes cycling and where cycling takes her.
Click Here to see Lauren's GROM interview
Click Here to see Pinkbike.com's Girls that Ride profile
Ben Calhoun - GROM Racer (2010 - current racer)
Age: 18
Category: Amateur
Career Highlights: Top GROM Category-1 Junior finisher at Massanutten's 2010 Yee-Hah: 4th Place. 2009 Hawksnest Dirtybird First Place, 2009 Beech Mtn. Triple Crown Series Second Place, 3rd Amateur 17 & Under at the 2009 Snowshoe Series, and moved up to the Elite class mid-season.
Fast and fun loving describes Ben. A true racer that pushes himself and is always looking for ways to go faster, Ben is focused and enjoys practice and training and strives to get every course dialed in perfectly. Over the past several years he has placed well at many races and venues throughout the southeast, especially at Snowshoe and their Powerade race series.
Ben won the Hawksnest's Dirtybird race in 2009 and received a nice dirt jump frame. Grateful of his prize, Ben was more excited about his personal accomplishment. This defines Ben as a rider; he does not work for a reward, but instead he works for himself.
A note from Ben: I started the year out with a six week break from racing due to a broken collar bone. Soon after, I was back riding the bike at the GROM Racing camp in Snowshoe WV. After camp I had a rough few races including the National Championships in Solvista, Colorado. I enjoyed the stiffer competition and challenging jumps in Solvista, but was unable to put a race run together for Sunday. The second Snowshoe race directly followed the US Nationals. This race proved to have my favorite track of the year. The track was covered with rocks and featured real natural east coast downhill. Unfortunately, I came off of the bike before the finish line. Altogether this year has been a new experience getting to race for GROM. I have spent my time on GROM learning with my teammates and meeting new people. I am looking forward to putting everything I have learned from my challenges this year into every race weekend next year. I am going to work hard this winter so I can achieve my goals alongside my teammates in the 2011 race season.
Click Here to see Ben's GROM interview
Reid Dressler - GROM Racer (2011 racer)
Age: 17
Category: Amateur
Career Highlights: 2011 Sea Otter Classic - 1st Place Dual Slalom 2011 Sea Otter Classic (Cat. 1 18U), 2nd Place Downhill (Cat 1 - under 18), 2nd Place 2011 US National Championships Dual Slalom, 6th Place Pro Giant Slalom 2011 US Open, 2nd Place (Pro) Giant Slalom 2011 Snowshoe Race 1, 2nd Place 2011 Massanutten Downhill, 3rd Place GES Race #1 - 2010 1st Snowshoe race finish, top 5 finish at 2011 Clemson Freeride race.
An amazingly productive season for Dressler considering he suffered a broken arm mid-season. Reid is a gifted rider, full of laughs and a great rider to follow (if you can keep up). Reid's younger brother David rode as an affiliate rider in 2011 and performed well too. Thanks for a great season Reid!
Sam Pensler - GROM Racer (2010 & 2011 racer)
Age: 18
Category: Pro
Career Highlights: 2011:
2011: 8th Place Jr. Expert Plattekill, 3rd Place Dual Slalom ETSU, 3rd Place Jr. Expert in Pro GRT Highlands
2010: Consistently competing in the Pro category for the Snowshoe Powerade Series, 2009: 4th place overall Jr Expert Gravity East Series, 1st 7-springs Gravity East Race, 2ndWindham Gravity East Race, 12th Pro Men 2009 Snowshoe Race 1
Category: Cat 1, Pro Non-USAC races
2011 was Sam's final GROM season as he headed to Colorado for college near the end of the season. GROM will miss Sam's entertaining antics and humor and his pre-race course walk paradies. Good luck in CO and keep riding!
With an extensive background in alpine ski racing, Sam is very familiar with competing against the clock. When he was thirteen, he turned his focus to mountain biking and hasn’t looked back since. As a dedicated and determined person, Sam takes pride in challenging himself to find new ways to improve his riding and racing. Aside from downhill, he does cross country, and dual slalom, mogul skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and also works as a counselor at Coyote Hill Mountain Bike Camp in Vermont.
Click Here to see Sam's GROM interview
Tim Price- GROM Racer and Coach (2010 & 2011)
Age: 22
Category: Pro
Career Highlights: 2006 & 2007 US National Junior Team
2011 Highlights: 3rd place finisher in SnowShoe four-race series (Elite) and a 3rd place pro finish at Massanutten.
Tim has raced all over the world and does well wherever he races. Tim had a very successful career as a junior and looks forward to helping lead more junior riders to World Championships and World Cup races.
We look forward to having Tim as a coach. His character and personality will be invaluable to the team. Already his insight into the many personalities of the team has shown his true value.
While coaching Tim will still be pursueing personal goals of racing the World Cup circuit and furthering himself as a rider. Always someone to look for on the track, he usually leaves you asking "what did he just do?" Tim is a great friend and we look forward to seeing not only where he helps take these young riders but also where he takes himself. We know it will be great places.
Christopher Herndon - GROM Founder and Coach (2010 & 2011)
Age: 30
Category: Pro
Career Highlights : 2007 National Dual Slalom Champion; 3rd place National Championships Downhill 2007; US Elite National Team member, raced World Championships 2006/2007
Christopher's favorite thing to ride is XC. At 8 years old he was racing XC and by 12 years old he was racing downhill. It’s been over 20 years since Christopher began racing and
His favorite race is Ray's Inside Out Race with his favorite race series being the Powerade Series at SnowShoe Mountain, WV.
"Racing means a ton to me; all my best friends are from racing and it has allowed me to travel the US and world with good friends to see things I never thought I would. This team is my attempt to give back some of what I have received in my life from racing bikes. I am a very fortunate individual for everything it has given me. I look forward to the challenges of the upcoming season and also look forward to the success of our very talented group of riders."