STATS:
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
DOB: October 29, 1990
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 146 lbs
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
2010
10th- Stage 1 (ITT) – Valley of the Sun
2009
1st – Overall and stage one TT, Valley of the Sun cat 2
1st – Capitol Reef Classic (plus 2 stages)
1st – Criterium La Civette ucp. France
13th – USA U23 Time Trial Championship
7th – Tour of Utah best young rider competition
45th – Tour of Utah GC (youngest finisher)
ABOUT CHASE…
How did you get your start in cycling?
I first started riding my bike as a form of transportation after doing the White Rim Trail in southern Utah. It was a way to escape and be independent. As I rode more to get around, my friends joined me and I began to notice that I was naturally faster than they were. I was always a mediocre athlete in other sports, a decent runner but nothing special, good swimmer but not front of the pack, etc. When I found I was doing better than others on my bike I decided to never give it up! I tried my first local crit at the tail end of 2006 and got a full license for 2007 and have never looked back.
What was your first race experience?
My Aunt convinced me to try a local training criterium to see how I liked racing. I had done a few charity rides before this and expected to be able to blow the pack away. The race started and my lungs immediately started burning, I felt sick and dropped out. Feeling ashamed of myself I vowed to finish the next week. The next week I stayed with the pack the whole race and even managed to finish 6th in the field sprint. I was hooked on racing from that point on!
What is your favorite cycling memory?
After being hit by a car before the 2008 Tour of L’Abitibi, I returned home from the hospital in Utah. I was going crazy from inactivity, and even though my face was torn up, bandaged, and my mouth wired shut, I strapped on my semi destroyed cycling shoes, put on my aero helmet and rode my time trial bike around the block in my every day shorts. The short time I spent on the bike brought me so much joy, even my mom berating me for an hour afterwards was worth it. That tiny ride affirmed just how important riding a bike had become to me.
What is your favorite place to ride?
The opportunity to race with a team that is devoted to developing racers the right way excites me greatly. I look forward to working with experienced riders like Axel who will tell me when I am doing a good job, but more importantly when I screw up.
Favorite place to ride.
Emigration Canyon – Salt Lake City, Utah
Greatest accomplishment.
Getting back on my bike after my accident in Canada