Team News – Page 5 – Seven Cycles

Seven’s McConneloug Springs into 2003

Mary McConneloug on the podium at Sea Otter

On April 10-12, the Sea Otter Classic marked the official kick off of the 2003 American cycling season. Dubbed “America’s Spring Cycling Classic”, the event includes a four-stage mountain bike race featuring a time trial, a criterium, a short track race, and a 58 kilometer cross country race.

Team Seven Pro Mary McConneloug proved she was in fine form for the 2003 season opener. Exercising intelligence and patience in the first three rounds of racing, Mary saved her best stuff for the grueling final stage where she kicked it into full gear. She was riding solo in third position for much of the race, which was made even more challenging by 20mph winds. She was never quite able to bridge up to Barbara Blatter and Alison Dunlap, who were riding tandem in first and second. Cresting the final 730 meter climb and going into the last few kilometers, Mary looked over her shoulder to see the fourth place female tucked in with a group of male experts. After a valiant battle, Mary succumbed to the effort of having ridden solo for so much of the race and finished up fourth.

Mary’s outstanding efforts landed her a podium spot for the weekend with an impressive third place in the overall standings. From all of us at Seven Cycles, congratulations on a fantastic race. We’re so proud of you, Mary.

The Ride Magazine: Fastest Women, Ten We Like [excerpt]

by Richard Fries

Mary McConneloug (Seven Cycles)

In short track, cross-country and cyclocross, McConneloug proved herself as one of the best in America during 2002. She is one of the best riders off the start line. McConneloug has never expressed an interest in the road, but could be an awesome force on the skinny tires.

Team Seven Welcomes McConneloug & Broderick

Mike and Mary pose with thier Seven Solas — Mike and Mary show-off their brand new Solas immediately before their very first ride.

Seven Cycles is pleased to announce the addition of pro racers Mary McConneloug and Mike Broderick to Team Seven. The riders will be flying Seven’s colors in a full schedule of mountain bike races, with a primary focus on the NORBA National Championship Series. The sponsorship deal also signs the two racers on for the 2002 cyclocross season.

Mary and Mike are relatively new to the pro ranks, but they have been steadily making names for themselves. In 2001, Mary took 9th overall in the NORBA National Championship Series and 5th overall in the Super Cup Cyclocross Series. So far this season, they’ve been posting impressive results. Mary has a pair of 8th place finishes in the cross-country events at Sea Otter and Big Bear, as well as a 6th in the Big Bear short track and a 5th place finish at the Iron Horse Classic. Mike’s been going strong too, netting 5th place at the AMBC Bump & Grind. And they promise that, “The best is yet to come.”

On a recent visit to the Seven factory, Mary and Mike were outfitted with custom Sola titanium mountain bikes. The whole Seven crew went the extra mile to get the racers fitted up and the bikes built before the two hit the road again, headed off to the NORBA National at Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. Before they left, Mary and Mike joined Seven founders Rob Vandermark, Matt O’Keefe, and Jennifer Miller for an after-work ride on some of their local off-road stomping grounds. At the end of the ride, Mary said of her new Sola, “I don’t want to get off my new bike. I can’t wait to ride it again.”

Signing the two pros represents Seven’s first foray into sponsorship at the national level. “While this certainly has the potential to increase our brand awareness, we’re really just as excited about supporting two young racers who are out there trying to live their dream. Our mountain bike heritage is strong, and it’s something many of us here have a personal passion for,” says Seven’s marketing director Jennifer Miller. The newly signed Broderick added, “This just feels right. Both Mary and I feel like we’re part of something really special here at Seven.”