Travis captain takes part in cycling challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Capt. Jason Peterson is representing Travis Air Force Base in the Sea Otter Classic cycling competition in Monterey as part of the U.S. Military Elite Cycling Team.

The event began Thursday and continues through Sunday.

The U.S. Military Elite Cycling team is comprised of eight athletes that span the different military branches. The service members are chosen out of hundreds of contenders based on their USA cycling resume and a team camp. This places Peterson among the top 10 competitive cyclists in the armed forces.

"By competing at the top levels of the sport, the riders chosen for the team serve as role models of commitment and team work to their units and peers," said Lt. Col. (ret.) Bill Jacobus, U.S. Military Cycling Team manager.

Every service member on the team is expected to use integrity and maintain professional-athlete level fitness as well as mission continuity at their home stations.

Riders will be removed from the program if they are unable to balance athletic training and their military duties or aren't able to contribute to the unit's mission, Jacobus said.

Peterson, 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron strategy and plans flight commander, is excited for the opportunity to be a part of the team.

"This team exists to provide military cyclists the opportunity to be part of a team and competition," he said

According to Peterson, his experience and knowledge in balancing a career and competing will be an asset to guiding the younger members on the Joint Forces team off the track.

While competitive cycling may look like an individual sport because one person ends up on the pedestal, it's a team sport based on tactics and endurance to set a team member up for a win, Peterson said.

On the track he knows his strengths lie in the power rider role - the rider who sets up a path so the faster team mates, or sprinters, can get to the front and ideally win the race, he said.

The service members on the team are based at different locations across the nation, which prevents them from practicing tactics as a team before competitions and places them at a disadvantage to the other professional cycling teams.

However, the military mind set provides its own advantages.

"Even though we don't practice together, military members have the ability to follow orders and carry out their roles and responsibilities to get the team to the ultimate goal," Peterson said.

"Through dedication, self-sacrifice and team work, Jason and his teammates positively represent all military members and their families in the sports of road and track cycling," Jacobus said. "Jason has been chosen to ride for 'America's Team.' "

For more information on the U.S. Military Elite Cycling team and a full schedule of competitions, visit www.usmilitarycycling.com.