MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

Team MK Pictures From USA Crit Finals in Las Vegas

Mark, Adam, Eric and Isaac

  
 

Eric Barlevav
  

Mark Heckman

 

 Adam Myerson

*All pictures courtesy of Gary Newkirk Photography

Team Mountain Khakis - #1 In The Nation

( Jackson Hole, WY – October 2, 2009)  Mountain Khakis®, a premier outdoor-lifestyle apparel brand “Built for the Mountain Life”, proudly announces Team MK ranks #1 in the U.S. in the 2009 USA Crit Series.

 

It’s good to be Team MK!  The season’s final USA Crit Series race was held Thurs, Sept 24 in Las Vegas; it was here that Team MK dominated the field with Eric Barlevav’s win.  His win, coupled with Team MK Mark Hekman’s race from behind to win the field sprint, placed Team MK #1 and #3 in the individual standings (1-Hekman, 3-Myerson) and #1 in the team standings for the overall 2009 UCI Continental Pro season. 

Thursday night’s 60-lap race was held under the lights of Las Vegas in front of the Mandalay Bay Casino, and coincided appropriately with the international ‘Interbike’ trade show.  According to Team MK Captain, Mark Hekman, “It’s been a good season; the team has raced so good all year long. I love this team.”

 

Managed by Premier Sports Partners of Winston Salem, NC, Team MK blistered the competition with its dominant streak through the 2009 season.  The team competed in over 90 international, national and regional races, with over 31 wins, 65 Top3 finishes, and over 120 Top10 finishes - leaving opponents gasping for air and spectators begging, “Who are these guys…?!”

 

“Our partnership with Mountain Khakis has helped us coast to coast with success advocating this national brand,” said James Bennett, owner of Premier Sports Partners.  “In return, we have brought them to the forefront of the dedicated and loyal customer base of the cycling community.  We anticipate this partnership lasting for years to come.”

 

“These guys have been champions to MK - individually and as a team,” said Mountain Khakis® Marketing Coordinator, Erin Fagan.  “They are top-notch, high-class competitors and superseded their promise to 'represent the MK brand well' and generate exposure for Mountain Khakis® in the road cycling community.”

 

Team MK is strongly committed to its mission of identifying young talent and teaching the trade of professional cycling. Pairing young high-potential riders with experienced captains and mentors speeds knowledge transfer and shortens the learning curve and everyone is given the common goal of delivering top performances in national caliber races. The team management is pleased to have found such a strong supporter of our mission and goals in the Mountain Khakis® organization.

The 2009 team was directed by Jason Snow, managed by Premier Sports Partners’ co-owners Jamie Bennett and Pat Raines, and consisted of many returning riders as well as some key additions. Andy Baker, Jackie Simes, Eric Barlevav, David Guttenplan, Mike Stoop, Tom Soladay, Daniel Ramsey, and Adam Myerson are returning riders. New additions include Mark Hekman, Toby Marzot, Logan Loader, Will Hoffarth, Spencer Beamer, and Issac Howe.

 

The All-American team alternated its young riders and experienced mentors through both a southeast regional calendar and a full NRC, USA Crit and U.S. Pro Tour schedule.  As part of the process of cultivating the next generation of US cyclists, Premier Sports Partners has established a unique talent identification process. Two riders on the 2009 team, Logan Loader and Will Hoffarth, were selected from our 2008 Performance Camp. It is an unprecedented opportunity and offers all young riders a legitimate forum to show that they have what it takes to ride for a professional team. We hope to take at least 4 riders from the camp this year for our 2010 team.

 

Team MK wishes to send a special "thank you" to those who support our mission and make this program not only possible, but SUCCESSFUL: Mountain Khakis®; Edifice Construction; Budget Self Storage; Hincapie Sportswear; Kazane; Dedicated Athlete; Cyclesafe.org; Freedom; Eleven81; Lazer; Hibros; Albabici; Scicon; Tifosi Optics; 360 Self Storage Advisors; Momentum Auto Sales; TRP Brakes; Sun Printing; and, of course, our financial benefactors and dedicated fans.

 

More information about Team MK and the Performance Camp can be obtained at the team website Team MK or  www.teammountainkhakis.com.

 

About Mountain Khakis®

Design. Quality. Consistency. Authenticity.  What started as a casual conversation at the Shady Lady Saloon in Jackson Hole, WY has become the Outdoor Industry’s top-performing ‘bottoms’ brand.  Established in 2003 and based in Jackson Hole, Mountain Khakis® quickly became a staple in the wardrobe of everyone from ranch hands to golf pros, those who travel by jet, as well as those who travel by thumb. The Mountain Khakis® brand story continues to resonate as it connects to the enthusiast who believes that freedom and rugged adventure is a way of life.  Mountain Khakis® is a proud member of 1% For The Planet®.

Mountain Khakis® ~ Built for the Mountain Life™ ~ Get in Our Pants!

Team MK pictures from their recent races in NC

 

In Case You Missed It...

In case you missed the interview this morning with Jamie Bennett of Team Mountain Khakis, be sure to check it out here.

GO TEAM MOUNTAIN KHAKIS!

Check out the Team MK interview

Be sure to check out Jamie Bennett of Team Mountain Khakis on the Charlotte area's News Talk Radio (99.3 FM/1110 AM) tomorrow morning from 5 to 6 a.m.  Jamie will talk about the team and this weekend's strategy at the Charlotte Presbyterian Hospital Criterium.  You can also learn more about the team on Facebook.

If you can't seem to drag yourself out of bed at 5 a.m., be sure to check out the interview here starting Saturday.

 

Where in the world is Team MK?

Caught in action...the Team MK car!

A few more from MK Ambassador, Kevin Coloton...

  

Other MK shots from this past weekend...

 

 

 

*Photos courtesy of Bob Kupbens. 

 

Tom Soladay of Team MK secures the Sprinter's Jersey

Tom won the first of 3 intermediate sprints in the Stage 6 Stillwater Criterium to solidify his lead in the Sprint competition. Supported by Spencer and David, also of Team MK, the guys did well to be on the podium every day and showcasing Mountain Khakis.

The guys selected an attainable goal for themselves for the race and delivered on that goal with precise execution. They remained focused on that one goal and really dominated the competition.

Way to go guys and SWEET MK shot Tom!

Team MK leads the pack...

 

Team MK at the recent RFK Criterium.  Photo curtesy of Mike Stoll.