Project Echelon Racing is a professional cycling team and nonprofit using sport to educate, equip, and empower veterans through physical activity and community. This monthly update is another way to bring you inside the team. From races and camps to the people and purpose that drive everything we do.
January: Wisconsin (in the middle of winter???)
This past month, the team gathered in Wisconsin for our media camp. Not exactly the altitude camp of your dreams and that was the point. This camp wasn’t about watts, VO₂, or pretending we weren’t tired. It was about building culture, connecting as a team, setting goals, and kicking off the season with the kind of energy that reminds us why we do this in the first place. We were buried in new equipment for the upcoming season, spent time together off the bike, and leaned fully into the human side of being a team. Highlights included:
- Being VIPs at a Milwaukee Admirals hockey game (which meant free Frostys)
- Bowling (we were exactly as good as you would think)
- Watching the Packers lose :)
- And a trip to the salon, where many of us were made to look the most handsome we ever have… while an unnamed rider made hairstyle decisions that may haunt them for the rest of time
Worth it. None of this would have been possible without an immense effort from our staff , Eric Hill, Nick Nordquist, Scott Sunderman, and Ed Hill , nor without the incredible support and hospitality of John Huenink and BioMoto.
The Team: Familiar Faces + New Firepower
We’re excited to roll into the season with a strong core of returning riders: Colby Lange, Stephen Bassett, Ricky Arnopol, Ethan Craine, Laurent Gervaise, Caleb Classen, and Bredan Rhim. We’ll also be bolstered by an exciting group of new signings: Eric Brunner, Luke Elphingstone, Quinn Felton, Tim McBirney, and Jerome Gauthier. The mix of experience, new energy, and personalities is exactly what we wanted — competitive on the bike, supportive off it, genuinely fun to be around, and representing Project Echelon the way it deserves.
Veteran Spotlight: Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Smith
At its core, Project Echelon exists to educate, equip, and empower veterans through physical activity and community. This month, we’re proud to spotlight Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Smith, whose story reflects exactly why this mission matters. Michael embodies resilience, purpose, and the power of community. An above-the-elbow amputee, he became the first Soldier in U.S. Army history to return to full active-duty service after such an injury. Today, he is an elite para cyclist, a Soldier-athlete with the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), and a proud member of Project Echelon. We encourage you to read Michael’s full story here → https://www.dvidshub.net/news/342695/suddenly-left-handed-army-soldier-overcomes-above-elbow-amputation-returns-active-duty-joins-world-class-athlete-program. Michael’s background, in brief:
- U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class with multiple combat tours
- Survivor of a life-threatening motorcycle accident resulting in the loss of his right arm
- Fought his way back to active duty against every expectation
- Highly successful adaptive athlete with sights set on LA 2028 (and beyond)
But Michael will be the first to tell you that his journey isn’t just about medals or results — it’s about people.
“Being a part of Project Echelon feels like being part of a team, a family, and an organization that reminds me of my time in the Army. I love that everyone is driven to be the best version of themselves, while supporting each other through encouragement, inspiration, and mentorship.”
Coming from para triathlon, Michael admits the cycling world can sometimes feel overwhelming — but knowing he has teammates to lean on has made all the difference.
“Racing for Project Echelon is truly an honor. My goal is LA 2028, but realistically, I focus on showing up to each race and giving my best. Along the way, I want to encourage, inspire, and motivate as many people as I can.”
Michael credits Justin Mathers for introducing him to Project Echelon and Eric Hill for welcoming him into the team. More than anything, he’s proud to represent his family, his country, and his fellow veterans — and to remind others that the journey itself is worth embracing. Stories like Michael’s are a reminder that Project Echelon is about far more than racing. It’s about community, shared purpose, and proving that what comes next can be even stronger than what came before.
Next Up: Tucson, Racing, and Our Gran Fondo
After Wisconsin, the team dispersed across the globe to prepare for our next gathering in Tucson, AZ, where things officially get rolling. There we’ll have our first official training camp of the season, followed by the Tucson Bicycle Classic, where the team will split into two squads to race each other (and the rest of the field) as we sharpen our elbows ahead of our first European campaigns in March. Most importantly, however, is the Project Echelon Gran Fondo on February 17. The Project Echelon Gran Fondo is more than just a ride. It’s a chance to:
- Ride and hang out with the Project Echelon Racing Team
- Meet athletes from Project Twenty28 and other pro teams
- Support our mission of educating, equipping, and empowering veterans through physical activity
- Be part of the community that makes all of this possible
Whether you’re lining up to challenge yourself with a long ride in a safe environment, cruising with friends, or soaking in everything Tucson and Oro Valley have to offer, this is a day about connection, purpose, and having a great time on bikes with good people. Come join us. We’re fired up. And we’re just getting started. Whether you’re riding with us, supporting from afar, or just here for the haircuts — thanks for being part of the Project Echelon crew.
P.S. Keep reading for a reward!
BioMoto
During our Wisconsin camp, John Huenink from BioMoto quite literally opened the doors to his warehouse and let us take over the space. BioMoto specializes in performance-driven footbeds and bike fits built through high-speed video analysis and in-shoe pressure mapping, measuring 60+ points inside each shoe to understand force, speed, symmetry, and movement efficiency. While many of our riders use BioMoto insoles and fitting services to optimize performance on the bike, BioMoto isn’t just for elite athletes. Anyone can benefit. By addressing asymmetries and inefficiencies that often develop over a lifetime, their insoles can begin correcting movement patterns in as little as a few days, helping people move better, feel better, and perform better, whether that’s in sport or everyday life. We believe in the process because we see the results firsthand. It’s not about guessing, it’s about understanding how you move, identifying inefficiencies, and making meaningful improvements. BioMoto is a great example of what we value as a team: trust the process, measure what matters, and keep getting better. Learn more at https://biomotousa.com
Teva
From long travel days to recovery walks and everything in between, Teva keeps our team comfortable off the bike. Known for durable, functional footwear built for adventure, Teva fits right into the Project Echelon lifestyle. As you can probably tell, the boys are pretty excited to put them to use this coming season! Practical, versatile, and ready for wherever the day goes next. Special offer for the Project Echelon community: Use code TEVA20 on Teva.com for 20% off an item over $60, courtesy of Project Echelon! Valid from 2/1/2026 to 6/30/2026.