Robert Gregory
Brentwood, TN
age:51
USCF Cat II
Career Highlights: 
- Racing since 1984
- Multiple Tennessee State Chamionship Gold 
  Medals in Road Race, Crit, & Time Trial.
- Runner-up for the TBRA champion's jersey 
  too many times to count!  

Being one of the original members of the Gran Fondo racing team as it evolved into a regional cycling powerhouse has been very rewarding. The Gran Fondo team members are very passionate about their racing but are also very helpful and supportive to new folks getting into cycling. Just a great group of guys and I'm very proud to be part of this team.

Riding and racing a bicycle has always been a very enjoyable way for me to stay very fit and healthy. The physical benefits of this sport are of course the most obvious, but the hidden benefits of stress relief, and the outlet for my competitive energies have been invaluable. I view cycling as life long endeavor, and although the day will come when I no longer register for USCF races I'll still be riding my bike and looking to beat somebody over the next hill.

Kevin Hinson
Nashville, TN
age: 37
USCF Cat III
Career Highlights:
- Racing since 1993
- 2006 TN Championship RR 2nd
- 2000 TORBAR Champion
 
I started racing mountain bikes 1993, began mixing in some road racing in 1998 and by 2001 was road racing almost exclusively.  I really enjoy the team aspect of road racing and the fact that it takes more than strength on the bike to be successful. In 2005 I joined the Gran Fondo Masters Team which has been a tremendous learning experience and I feel honored to be part of it such a great group.
 
I also feel lucky to have the support of such a great bike shop as well as Bianchi USA. I am riding a Bianchi Freccia Celeste this year and I love it. I was riding a custom Tommasini Ultra Fire and thought it couldn't be topped but the Bianchi is amazing it is quick in crits and comfortable in long RR's not to mention with Lynn's help it fits like a glove.
 

Shawn Hirt
age:  39
Lenoir City, TN
USCF Cat III 
Career Highlights:  
- 4-time TBRA Champion (2002 -2005)

Riding with Gran Fondo has truly been the highlight of my twenty year racing career.  Having such wonderful support from a bike shop like this really makes racing fun.  And riding with so many superb riders as teamates makes a very hard sport very enjoyable.  Cycling is such a great sport and one that you can do individually or with others, and it has sure made it nice to be associated with such great people at Fondo the last few years.  I was thrilled to hear about Bianchi's sponsorship this year!  My first true racing bike was a Bianchi Giro that I rode into the ground...don't even know how many miles I had on that frame.  It was then that I developed a love for the cleste!  My new Bianchi Freccia Celeste race bike is an incredible machine for road racing and especially crits.  The compact geometry is so stiff and responsive it's amazing. It's truly a joy to ride and race on. 

David Hixson 
age: 56
Knoxville, TN
USCF Cat II 
Career Highlights:  
- 100+ Wins in Pro,1,2,and Masters Categories
- Masters National Criterium Champion - 2000 
- Masters National Road Champion - 2004 & 2005       
- 1996 Missouri State Crit Champion - Seniors       
- Multiple Missouri State Road and Crit Championships  
- Tennessee State Road Champion 2004 & 2005 

The Gran Fondo Masters Team has proven to be the most competitive masters team in the southeast. Riding and racing with a great team and getting fantastic support from the Gran Fondo organization has been an experience of a lifetime!! 

David Hoffman
age: 45
Maryville, TN
USCF Cat III
Racing since 1996 

Vic Rodgers
age: 57
Loudon, TN
USCF Cat II
Racing since 1990 

Cayce Tiesler
Age: 35
Pegram, TN
USCF Cat II - NORBA Expert
Racing Highlights:
- 2006 Sonic Sumner RR Masters 30+ 1st Place, Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race Masters Sprint Points Champion 
- 2004 TBRA Cat 3 - 2nd Place 
- 2002- 2005 3-time Single Speed TORBAR Champion

Racing with the Gran Fondo Masters Team has elevated my focus and  commitment towards racing ten fold this season;  what a great group of  athletes to work with. Everyone has a place on the team which has wealth of race exerience and unlimited engery and I could not ask for a better group of teammates.

Lynn and the rest of the crew at Gran Fondo - THANKS! You guys are awesome. From day one you have given me all the time and support  that only a racer with a job, family, and an U8 soccer team can  appreciate. Spending time at Fondo, I have found that anyone who walks into the store can expect to get the same treatment.

Tod Williams
age:43
City:Cookeville, TN
USCF Cat II
Career Highlights: 
- Racing 10 years 
- 4 TBRA Championship jerseys 
- Several State Championship Gold 
   medals.

Racing with Team Gran Fondo has been the most satisfying of my racing years. The attitude of team wins over individual placings has been the cornerstone of our success. With the leadership of Robert and Shawn the team has dominated Tennessee Masters racing for several years. We may not win them all but everyone knows we were there!! Truly the best bunch of guys a person could race with. Just look at the list of veritable legends from across the state.The other thing that makes it so njoyable is working with the shop. Lynn and the whole bunch at Gran Fondo go over and above any reasonable expectation to support the team like we were pro's. I never have to worry about my bike when the guys in the shop have been over it. 

Thanks for letting me be a part of the fun!!  Eat more chocolate chip cookies and you'll race faster.