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Our thanks to Dan Casper for submitting this team overview.  We’re still looking to get more of these so please contact us about your team.

 

Entering only their 4^th cycling season, GrandStay Hotels hopes to see 2008 continue a rapid rise to success. Begun by team president Matt Williams in 2004, GrandStay Hotels has quickly established itself as one of the most competitive cycling teams in the Midwest. Given a largely unchanged all-Minnesotan roster of ten Pro/1/2 riders and five elite masters 35+ riders, the team can’t help but have high expectations for 2008, especially in light of the 2007 season.

 

2007 saw GrandStay Hotels win the first ten Minnesota Pro/1/2 events of the year, thanks to selfless team tactics and the dominating strength of team leader Doug Swanson. Between the road and cyclocross, GrandStay Hotels finished 2007 with 48 victories and 101 appearances on the podium. With the addition of Ian Stanford and expanded efforts in the mountain bike realm, GrandStay Hotels looks to chart new territory in 2008. The team will remain focused on the Minnesota racing calendar, with occasional trips out of state.

 

In 2008, the team will again co-host—with the Loon State Cyclists—the Gluek Road Race, the Tour of Granite Country , the Minnesota State Road Race Championships, as well as having a hand in the Porkchop Challenge Cyclocross Race.

 

Certainly the team’s efforts would not be possible without the generous support of its title sponsor, GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels, as well as its co-sponsors Granite City Cycle and Sport and Sports Hut, and the Elite Masters team sponsor, St. Cloud Ear, Nose and Throat.  For continuing coverage of the team’s efforts in 2008, go to their website at www.grandstaycycling.com.

 

Here’s a brief look at the GrandStay Hotels roster:

 

Pro/1/2 Team

 

Doug Swanson—Cat 1 road/cx; Pro mtn

Team leader; 15 road wins (including Durand RR, Ken Woods RR, Gluek RR, Tour of Granite Country overall), 6 cx wins (including MN State Champ) in 2007; began 2007 with 9 straight victories; scorched 13:50 at Black Dog TT in less than ideal conditions and 22:35 course record at TNT TT; can manufactur win in any manner;  in 2008 will also be riding mountain bike for GrandStay Hotels, part of 24-hour 4-man mountain bike national champ team in 2007.

 

Dan Swanson—Cat 1 road/cx; Pro mtn

Nearly defended State Criterium title in 2007—managed a close and hard fought 2^nd; crafty, quick and wise beyond years; approaching 2008 with renewed vigor.

 

Andy Minier—Cat 1 road

Super domestique; threat in any break; tireless workhorse; doesn’t seem to feel pain; on podium at Campus Crit; sacrifices individual results for the good of the team.

 

Ian Stanford—Cat 1 road/cx; Pro mtn

New and welcome addition to GrandStay Hotels; untouchable over 40k TT at the local level and competitive on the national level—has annihilated MN state TT champ field by two minutes last two years.

 

Micah Moran—Cat 1 road/cx

Always makes the break; especially strong as the summer wears on; performs best in the “big” events.

 

Brian Koeneman—Cat 1 road

Years of racing experience; huge engine with finishing speed; always a threat for podium; 2007 MN State 35+ Crit Champ.

 

Chai Kung—Cat 1 road

2007 was breakthrough year with win at Opus, numerous podiums, including impressive field sprint win at the 100+ mile South Range RR; mind-boggling finishing speed.

 

Lance Beuning—Cat 2 road/cx

Team’s youngest, an up and comer; remarkably strong results in past cyclocross seasons; chomping at the bit for 2008.

 

Daniel Casper—Cat 1 road/cx

Partial to the break and the chase; TT specialist; course record win at Wrenshall TT in 2007; Elite Masters 35+ MN State CX champ and Cyclocross Rider of the Year.

 

Matt Williams—Cat 1 road/cx

President and architect of the GrandStay Hotels cycling team; ever-improving rider in his own right; tireless in all arenas; equally auspicious 2007 cyclocross season/results.

 

Elite Master 35+ Team

 

Charles Jacobs—Cat 2 road/cx

Elite masters team leader in 2007; nearly untouchable when “on;” won 2007 Tour of Granite Country overall and Northfield Crit in convincing fashion; MN State TT champ 2007.

 

John Bagley—Cat 2 road

Missed 2007 due to injury; years of experience and numerous wins to his credit; always a factor when he races; has been on the podium at Masters Nationals for the TT; excited to have him back in 2008.

 

Jim Bell—Cat 2 road/cx

The ultimate in selfless; power machine; threat to stay away whenever up the road; podium at Birchwood RR in 2007; all-around great guy and team’s race organizer.

 

Steve Cragle—Cat 2 road

Astounded in 2007 with impressive results; true sprinter’s speed with range—2^nd in Tour of Granite County overall; just scratching the surface.

 

Ray Coyle—Cat 2 road

Former accomplished wrestler who’s correspondingly tough and tenacious on the bike; long-range strength coupled with solid sprint; relatively new to the road with best years yet to come.