Team Planet Bike 2009

photo by Jamie Young

Planet Bike, a leading manufacturer of innovative, high quality, and practical bicycle accessories, is honored to announce its 2009-2010 Cyclocross Team roster. In its third year of sponsoring a Cross team, Planet Bike is thrilled to have Jonathan Page back for a second year and to welcome Katie Compton to the team. Two of the nation’s top cyclocross stars Page and Compton will both race predominantly in Europe after kicking off their season with Cross Vegas on September 23 during Bike Industry trade show Interbike.

"It is an absolute dream come true for us to have two of the best cyclocrossers in US history in Compton and Page riding for our small company. Besides being outstanding riders, both Katie and JP are quality people who are very representative of the Planet Bike philosophy of hard work and doing things the right way," stated Planet Bike's founder Bob Downs.

Additionally the team will field a talented Midwest based Elite, Juniors, and Masters team. The Elite team is proud to bring back Mark LaLonde, Jesse LaLonde, Tristan Schouten, and Kristin Wentworth. Both Mark and Kristin raced UCI events throughout the country last year scoring numerous top 10 results. After some unfortunate injuries early on last year Jesse and Tristan are healthy and ready to resume their history of strong racing. New additions this year include James Lalonde and Minnesotan Linda Sone. The Elite team will focus on gathering points at UCI events throughout the season.

Wisconsin has a talented cyclocross presence among all ages and Planet Bike is proud to sponsor some of the nation's top young riders. Juniors include 2008 US Cyclocross Champion Sarah Huang (age 13-14), 2008 bronze medalist Kaitie Antonneau (age 17-18), and 2008 bronze medalist Jordan Cullen (age 13-14). The masters team will be headlined by two time US Cross Champ Diane Ostenso (age 55-59).

The first round of the US Grand Prix Cyclocross series will be in the hometown of Planet Bike – Madison, WI – on September 26th and 27th. The entire team will participate in the prestigious event that is set to bring the top North American cyclocross stars to Wisconsin.

Midwestern Elite team members will be sponsored by Ridley Bicycles and will be riding the new 2010 Ridley X-Night and X-Fire. Team Planet Bike is proud to again be riding Edge wheels and Challenge Tires. In addition to these sponsors, Team Planet Bike will also represent TRP brakes, Lazer helmets, CinQo Power meters, and Vermarc clothing. A team presentation will occur on Friday September 11 at 6pm at Chronometro bike shop in Madison, WI.

Planet Bike, founded in 1996, has always believed in the great potential of the bicycle to help improve the world and the lives of the people in it. The company has embraced an alternative corporate purpose which seeks to help get more people on bicycles by making communities friendlier places for the self-propelled. Planet Bike accomplishes this by donating 25% of company profits to causes that promote and facilitate bicycle usage. By the end of 2009, Planet Bike will have donated $1 million to organizations that are dedicated to making America a friendlier place for cyclists.

Big News

Planet Bike, a leading manufacturer of innovative, high quality, and practical bicycle accessories, is excited to announce that Katie Compton is the newest addition to Planet Bike’s 2009/10 cyclocross team.

Compton is a five time U.S. National Cyclocross Champion, and last season captured the Bronze medal at the Hoogerheide World Cyclocross Championship with an aggressive ride to secure her second Cyclocross World Championship medal. “I’m really excited to be representing Plant Bike this season,” said Compton. “Planet Bike is a great company and I am looking forward to teaming up with elite riders like Jonathan Page.”

“It is an absolute dream come true for us to have two of the best cyclocrossers in U.S. history in Compton and Page riding for our small company. Besides being outstanding riders, both Katie and JP are quality people who are very representative of the Planet Bike philosophy of hard work and doing things the right way,” stated Planet Bike’s founder Bob Downs.

Compton will race primarily in Europe competing in all of the rounds of the World Cup. On January 31, 2010, will be chasing after the rainbow stripes at the World Championships in the Czech Republic. “I really feel it’s within my reach. After two close calls I’m hoping for rain or snow and going all out for the win,” says Compton who excels when the heavens open up turning courses into epic cyclocross contests.

Compton starts the season in her new team colors and new equipment sponsors at the upcoming Cross Vegas where Compton will look to defend her title. “It’s going to be an epic race in Vegas. I’m very motivated to start the season off with a good result representing Planet Bike.” Compton will then fly to Madison to ride in the Planet Bike sponsored USGP event on September 26-27.

Planet Bike builds high quality bicycle accessories that make it easier for people to ride their bikes. Since its inception in 1996, Planet Bike has believed in the potential of the bicycle to improve the world and the lives of the people in it. Therefore, each year it has donated at least 25% of profits to causes that promote and facilitate the use of the bicycle. By the end of 2009, Planet Bike will have donated $1 million to the grassroots advocacy movement.

US Cyclocross Nationals

Sorry for the delay!

Day 2
Junior Womens 17-18 - Anna Young - 2nd
Junior Men 13-14 - Jordan Cullen - 3rd
Junior Men 13-14 - Ian Haupt - 12th
Masters Women 50-54 - Patti Kauffman - 6th
Masters Women 55-59 - Diane Ostenso - 1st - GOLD MEDALIST!
Masters Women 30-34 - Kristin Wentworth - 5th

Day 3
Masters Men 50-54 - Bob Downs - 7th

Day 4
Elite Women - Kristin Wentworth - 15th
Elite Women - Anna Young - 22nd

Elite Men - Jonathan Page - 3rd
Elite Men - Mark Lalonde - 11th

Great job to all Planet Bike team members on a successful and fun nationals. One stars and stripes jersey and 4 additional podium finishes was a nice way to cap off the season. Racers and support members came together to help each other throughout the weekend and good times were had both on and off the bike. Thanks to mechanic David Kohli for all of his tireless work on keeping the bikes ready and organizing us and all of our stuff! Thanks to all of the sponsors including Planet Bike, Ridley, Edge, and Lazer for the support this season.


And now an attempt at a chronological photo blog of the weekends event (more photos to be added throughout the week!)

Departing from Planet Bike Headquarters

Mechanic David Kohli cleaning up bikes after the preride

Anna on the start line of the Junior Womens 17-18 race

Photo by Lanterne Rouge
Ian shouldering one muddy, grassy bike

photo thanks to Jamie Young
Jordan on the podium

Diane on the top step of the Womens 55-59 race!

photo thanks to Jamie Young
Bob cheering Kristin on

photo thanks to Jamie Young
Kristin 5th in the Womens 30-34 race


Bob sporting the Euro all white kit

Photo by Lanterne Rouge
Anna in the Elite race

photo by Andrea Wilson
Kristin riding the ruts in the Elite race


photo thanks to Amy D
Page leading the field


photo thanks to Amy D
Marko attacking Troy Wells on the last lap

Jonathan 3rd in the Elite Mens race

Jonathan 13th at Spain World Cup

Jonathan raced this weekend in the mud at the World Cup in Igorre, Spain. Cycling news article and Cyclocross Magazine report. Check out his blog for his recap of the race. Sounds like Cori did a great job working the pit and getting JP a clean bike twice each lap! Jonathan and his family will fly back to the States on Tuesday. US Cyclocross Nationals will take place in Kansas City, Missouri from Thursday December 11 through Sunday December 14. Look for some daily updates from KC here!

Jonathan in Velo News

An article this week in VeloNews about Jonathan and his upcoming races including a World Cup in Spain this weekend and Nationals next weekend.

Also an article about Jonathan in CX Magazine regarding the new change of bike sponsor that will be in place for JP only and not the entire Planet Bike team.

Jingle Cross Day 2

Overnight snow completely changed the course conditions and it was a wet, cold, snowy, muddy day. Reverse direction meant a slippery and fast descent down Mt. Krumpit. A pretty frustrating day for most of the riders but still lots of fun in the tough conditions. We've had some pretty mild weather in Wisconsin most of the season so we were good and due for some snow and mud. With Nationals in Kansas City only two weeks away we might as well get some practice! There are some great pictures and video floating around on the web of the racing action. Thanks to Amy D for taking all of these great shots and letting us post them here! Always a fun race weekend and an excellent venue - thanks to all of the promoters, sponsors, officials, racers, and crazy superfans. The fans lining the hill were awesome. Thanks also to Planet Bike, Ridley, Lazer, and Edge for all of the support!

what we woke up to

the view from inside the warm van

Anna warming up

Anna and Kristin on the line

Kristin running down Mt. Krumpit after crashing at the top

Anna also running down

Kristin finally riding the hill

Anna also riding down

Kristin post race - muddy and cold

Marko trying to stay warm on the line

Mark at the start

Mark riding the hill in the snow

running the barriers with Tilford

another time down Mt. Krumpit

Mark Lalonde - UCI Elite Men - 5th place
Kristin Wentworth - UCI Elite Women - 11th place
Anna Young - UCI Elite Women - 14th place
Jordan Cullen - Junior Men - 4th place
Ian Haupt - Junior Men - 5th place
Gordy Paulson - Mens 55+ - 3rd place
Patti Kaufmann - Women 2/3 - 5th place
Diane Ostenso - Women 35+ - 4th place

Check out some videos of the ridiculous muddy hill


Diane making her way down Mt. Krumpit

Jingle Cross Day 1

A big contingent of Planet Bike racers descended on Iowa City for Jingle Cross 2008 - a weekend of races including UCI events for the Elites. Overcast skies with temperatures in the low 40s provided considerably mild conditions for the racers. The course brought a bit of everything with a short muddy rideable but slippery hill, off camber sections, a long greasy hill run up (aka Mt. Krumpet), a fun whirly spiraling loop, a sand pit through the barn, a series of 180 turns in a different barn, and a few logs.
Thanks to Jim Cullen and Julie Foertsch for pictures!

mechanic David Kohli setting up shop

Bob warming up at Planet Bike central (check out the red leg warmers and shoes!) Jordan Cullen - 1st place in the juniors race

No pictures of Gordy, Diane and Patti but great finishes by all
Gordy Paulson - 1st place Mens 55+
Diane Ostenso - 2nd place Womens 35+ and 3rd place Womens 2/3
Patti Kaufmann - 3rd place Womens 35+

Anna Young finished 8th in the Womens Elite race

Kristin Wentworth finished 4th in the Womens Elite race

Bob finished 26th in the Mens Elite race

Mark finished 4th in the Mens Elite race

post race bike cleanup

Team dinner at the famous local pizza joint