Elbowz Racing Elite

Fitness is vitally important to 2010 MotoGP Rookie of the Year, Ben Spies, and cycling is the foundation of his fitness.

His passion for the sport has led to the formation of the Elbowz Racing Elite Cycling Team. Elbowz Racing Team's goal is to be a professionally run, high profile team, that supports local children’s charities through outreach programs, awareness, and donations.

The team is comprised of young, up-and-coming talent, mentored by experienced, seasoned veterans. Each rider was handpicked based upon their strength and personality, to build, what Elbowz Racing Team believe, is one of the most promising teams to ever come out of Texas. Our 2011 schedule will focus primarily on the USA Criterium schedule, select US National Calendar and UCI Events, as well as regional races.

Team Manager Nick Kiernan:

We are very proud of our roster of riders and sponsors that we have secured for the 2011 season and beyond. With Ben’s commitment to the sport, and the talent within the team, we’re building something exciting for the future.” The Elbowz Racing roster is two tiered with a dedicated traveling squad and a smaller regional group, local to Spies’ Texas home.

National Roster

Heath Blackgrove – Team Captain
Andrew Gonzales
Christian Helmig
Tyler Jewell
Nick Kiernan – Team Manager
Joe Schmalz
Ben Spies - Owner
Mat Stephens
Austin Stewart

Regional Roster

Bret Crosby
Simon Essl
Randy Kienest
Michael Kincaid

Team Captain, Heath Blackgrove, brings a wealth of international and domestic experience to the team. His ability to "read a race" and evolve strategy on the road will prove instrumental for the success of the team and the development of the younger racers.
Blackgrove states, “I became interested in the Elbowz project after meeting with Spies and learning of his devotion to developing younger riders, and his dedication to owning a team that is rooted in teamwork.”

First races' results:

1/16 - Megatron Criterium - 1st
1/22 - TBi/Copperas Cove Road Race - 1st
2/5 - Alsatian Country (Day1) - 2nd
2/6 - Alsatian Country (Day2) - 1st
2/13 - Tour of New Braunfels (Day2) - 1st
2/19 - Walburg Classic Road Race - 1st, 2nd
2/20 - Pace Bend Road Race - 5th
2/26 - Mineral Wells Stage Race (Criterium) - 1st
2/26 - Mineral Wells Stage Race (Time Trail) - 2nd
2/27 - Mineral Wells Stage Race (Road Race) - 1st, 2nd
3/5 - La Primavera at Lago Vista (Day1) - 1st, 2nd
3/6 - La Primavera at Lago Vista (Day2) - 1st, 2nd

We couldn’t have landed a better group of riders and sponsors for our inaugural year. We plan on growing the team year-over-year and raising money to support local charities,” Spies said. Always the competitor, Spies will be traveling the globe with the MotoGP circuit and as his schedule permits, racing his bicycle with Elbowz Racing.