Crazy weekend for DL racing. When it comes to supporting pro cyclists as a brand or a person, it is not always easy. I have been burned many a time by those saying they will help get the word out about the DL only to receive nothing in return. So I pretty much shut it down when it came to the "sponsorship" of people I don't know. Locally I try to do right by the teams and people I know, but nationally it is so hard.
There are essentially only two people I currently give our stuff to on the pro scene.
Tobin Ortenblad is one -http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/06/news/coryn-rivera-tobin-ortenblad-win-uptown-minneapolis-crit_331909
Tobin I met at jingle cross last year through Meredith Miller. He is on the Cal Giant team and I only got to meet him briefly that weekend, but he was cool and mellow and so I gave him some stuff and over the last year have kept in touch with him. Great dude, humble, friendly, and just someone you feel good about doing what you can for.
Tobin was in town for the Northstar Grand Prix this weekend and had a great weekend of racing, on Friday night Torben and I got to swing in and see him before the uptown crit and drop off some stuff for him and catch up. Unfortunatly I had to leave as little Torbdog needed to get to bed, but Matt was texting me during the race
"6 man break with Tobin in it!"
"Tobin off the front with National Champ - 2 laps to go"
"Tobin wins!"
I was so bummed to have missed it but so stoked to hear that, Torben thinks he is good luck now (see pic). So that happened!
The other person I have sent some stuff to is Andrew Talansky.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/06/news/wins-criterium-du-dauphine_331972?utm_medium=whats-hot
You may recall my previous post about selling pack animals to him and not realizing who he was until Matt came to my desk and was like "is this the real Andrew Talanksy?". We sent him some socks and pack animals when he was in california a month back, and bam dude wins the Douphine! So cool for him and such a stud.
As much as I want to believe it was the socks or the pack animals, I had the socks, the pack animal, the new bibs, the jersey, a base layer and a tool roll on me for the #westsidedirtybenjamin on saturday and did not win (actually bonked, recovered and rebonked) so it still may be the athlete!
My point is big hats off to Tobin and Andrew for being stand up guys that got their dues this weekend. Proud of both of you as I am sure everyone who is along for the ride is as well. keep it up.