Jonathan Vaughters
CEO, Director Sportif
In 2003, at only 30 years old, Jonathan decided to step away from a successful, but tough professional cycling career. He was perhaps young to retire, but clearly had maximized his abilities at a somewhat earlier age than most through ground-breaking training techniques, and extreme focus. In his 10 years as a professional cyclist he set the record up Mount Ventoux, and was an integral part of the winning team time trial squad in stage 5 of the 2001 Tour de France. Nonetheless, at 30, he decided to dedicate more time to his growing family, and to the business aspect of the fastest growing sport in the US.
It has proven a satisfying decision, as in 2004, with just one year under his belt as a team director, Jonathan built the highest profile development squad in the USA.
The highlight of the 2004 season was when his prodigy, Ian MacGregor, won the U23 National Championship. “It was perhaps more exciting for me to watch Ian win, and prove that our team was the best, than it was to win on the Ventoux. It felt like when you give someone a truly great gift at Christmas – much more satisfying than getting one yourself,” said Jonathan after Ian’s victory.
Vaughters hopes to continue to guide the next generation of American cyclists to the top, and hopes that they will not only surpass what he was able to accomplish as a professional, but manage to equal the accomplishments of his old peers such as Lance Armstrong and George Hincapie. “I was never an enormously talented rider like them, but I figured out how to achieve success all the same through a bit of wit and innovation. That underdog knowledge will serve my riders well. We have to show we are really the future of this sport in order for our sponsors and supporters to feel part of the beginning of something truly extraordinary – and we will do that,” proclaims Jonathan.
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