Michael Burton
Michael is originally from Boston, MA, however he moved out west in 98 to open the Bellagio in Las Vegas. He and his wife, Paula, live in the highlands of Denver. They share their home with three very needy dogs, Michael works in the wine industry and represent 30 wineries from around the world. That fact alone was enough to get him on the team..............
He started off his racing life with Triathlon in 1999. After 5 Ironmans with similar results it was clear he was good at 1 of the 3 disciplines, the bike. Highlights from Michael's racing are; 3rd- Ca State ITT 30+, 2nd- Salida Omnium overall, 3rd-San Dimas SR overall, and a "W" Manhattan Beach crash fest. For 2012 Michael is inspired to race Gila, VOS, Cascade, Master Nats, and BAT races for the team. His strengths are Crits and TTs , however never count him out in any RR. His favorite discipline will always be stage racing! In addition he has raced the track and cyclocross, but never found them compelling due to the time constraints.
Outside of racing Michael and his wife enjoy snowshoeing, Costa Rica, hiking, lots of Sushi, and a little wine, ok maybe a lot of wine. They both practice Zen Buddhism at a local temple, but are far from enlightened per Michael. They appreciate life in Denver, look forward to a great year in 2012, and told all the guys to just call him Burton!
Lee Middlekauff
Lee is 42 yrs old and like a lot of the guys on the team from back east. It is ironic, but 4 different team members, including 2 brand new recruits all remember racing with/against each other in the NYC area in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Lee had completed two 1000 plus mile bike tours up and down the coasts by age 16 and spent a summer as a bike messenger in NYC where he grew up. In 1987 he started racing with CRCA and Toga, both well know teams in the New York City area who still actively race today. He took his passion to the University of Colorado, Boulder where he was involved racing for one of the best collegiate programs in the country, and onto the pro/1/2 fields. After a 20 plus year hiatus from racing he returned to the sport in 2010 and rediscovered the thrill of the racing scene. In 2011 Lee started off in the 35 Plus cat. 4 category and moved up quickly, then winning in both the 35's plus cat 3 category and the senior cat 3 category. He tends to do well in crits, is a past winner of the NJ State road champion, and looks forward to the "Spring Classics" here in CO.
Lee has been married to Amy for six years and they have 4 yr old twins, Connor and Gracie. Lee has worked in the investment world since he graduated from college (along with 3 other team members) and he currently is in the institutional equity sales group for Citibank based out of Cherry Creek.
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