Specialized promotes from within: Kate Courtney moves to elite XC team.

Specialized is happy to welcome Kate Courtney to the Specialized Racing Family.

Already a highly accomplished Junior XC racer with the Whole Athlete - Specialized Team, Kate was the 2013 17-18 XC National Champion as well as finishing 6^th in the Junior XC Worlds earlier this year. A lifelong bike rider, Kate began dedicating herself completely to racing in the high school league where she joined her school 's team and started achieving success almost immediately. Just as Kate is now transitioning to the U23 field, her transition to Specialized Racing is also sure to be an exciting one.

"I am honored and excited to be joining the Specialized Racing family. My relationship with Specialized started when I got my first red Specialized mountain bike at age eight. Since then, I have always been on a Specialized bike. With the support of this team behind me, I hope to take my racing to the next level as I transition into the U23 category."

Having already won the 2013 Collegiate Division 1 XC and Short Track National Titles for Stanford, next year is shaping up to be even better for the young star. Coupled with the support of Specialized Racing, Kate Courtney will be a name to watch out for next year and we couldn't be more excited. So on behalf of all of Specialized, welcome to the team!

Tyler Frasca from Specialized's Sports Marketing team had this to add, "We're extremely excited to work with Kate. Her positive attitude and determination on and off the bike made her the girl to beat in 2013, and we're confident that offering her the best support and equipment will help her carry that momentum into a successful career in racing."

Kate Courtney relies on the Specialized Fate Women's-specific Cross-Country 29er, Women's Prevail helmet with hairport technology, Women's S-Works XC shoes as well as Specialized Tires and hand-built Roval brand XC Race wheels.