Todd Wells
Mountain Biking
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Todds's Bio
Age:39 Location:Durango, Colorado Sport:Cyclo-cross and mountain bikeTodd Wells fell in love with a bicycle at an early age starting with BMX from the age of five through sixteen. After graduating high school he picked up his first mountain bike and has been on a tear ever since. He found his way out to Durango, CO where he attended Fort Lewis College and began a pursuit of his career in cycling.
Wells won two Cross Country Mountain Bike Collegiate titles for Fort Lewis College and the inaugural Semi Pro NORBA National Series title in 1996 before taking a break from his studies to become a full time professional cyclist.
His initial professional career was short lived as he decided to hang up his wheels at the end of the 1998 season and finish his collegiate studies at the University of Arizona. In 2000 he graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Management Information Systems and immediately started working for I.B.M., a company he interned with during his time as a student.
Wells quickly realized that being a bike racer was better than having a “real” job and started training once again with his sights set on returning to the professional ranks.
By 2008 he was back where he started with the Specialized team and his results seem to get better with age. He has won fourteen National Championship titles across four disciplines. In 2011 he took on some endurance races and racked up wins in both the Leadville 100 and La Ruta de Los Conquistadors.
2012 might have been his best season yet with his third trip to the Olympic Games where he placed a career best 10th. He also managed to win his second PROXCT series title, second Pan American Championship title and stood on the podium at the Windham World Cup.
When Todd isn’t racing all over the world you can find him in one of three places; hanging out with his wife Meg, son Cooper and dog Winston, grinding it out on the golf course or hitting the dirt jump trails around Durango or Tucson, AZ.
Q & A
Q.
Biggest accomplishment?
A.
Becoming a Dad, all you Dad's out there know what I'm talking about. Race wise there are a few, my first big win was the Collegiate National Champs in Durango in 1995, that really started my career and got me a factory ride on the Specialized Mountain Dew Team. Making my first Olympic Team was huge in 2004. Winning the Leadville 100 in 2011 was also a highlight.
Q.
Coolest place you've ever been?
A.
Racing has taken me all over the world but I would have to say either my first international trip to World Champs in Cairns Australia or racing across Costa Rica in the La Ruta de los Conquistadores. Both are amazingly lush tropical paradises.
Q.
What music is playing in your car?
A.
I usually listen to Pandora so it's either some hip hop stations like Jay-Z or Biggie Smalls. Or, I also listen to quite a bit of country either modern or old school Willie Nelson stations.
Q.
Never leave home without?
A.
When traveling I always have to have a fresh tooth brush and set of ear plugs.
Q.
Favorite riding trails or area?
A.
I love riding in my hometown of Durango, CO. I would have to say I've never had a bad ride on the Colorado Trail, flowy, fun and always beautiful.
Q.
What inspires you?
A.
I love setting a goal and trying to accomplish it. I don't always achieve what I set out to but having a goal gives me motivation to do everything I can at the time to accomplish it and get the most out of myself. It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to something.
Q.
Favorite Food?
A.
Nutella, I can and do eat it by the jar full.
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Career Highlights
2015
1st, USA Cycling Marathon National Championship
1st, Fontana PROXCT STXC
2nd, Bonelli #2 PROXCT STXC
2nd, Sea Otter Classic STXC
2014
1st,USA Cycling Cross Country National Championship
1st, USA Cycling Marathon National Championship
2nd, USA Cycling Short Track National Championship
PROXCT Overall Champion
1st, Leadville Trail 100
1st, Colorado Springs PROXCT XC
1st, Subaru Cup PROXCT XC
1st, Missoula PROXCT STXC
1st, Sea Otter Classic STXC
1st, La Ruta Stage 3
2nd, Whiskey 50
2013
1st, USA Cycling Marathon National Championship
1st, USA Cycling Short Track National Championship
2nd, USA Cycling Cross Country National Championship
1st, PROXCT Overall Champion
1st, Breck Epic Stage Race Overall
1st, Breck Epic Stage 1
1st, Breck Epic Stage 2
1st, Breck Epic Stage 3
1st, Breck Epic Stage 5
1st, Fontana PROXCT XC
1st, Fontana PROXCT STXC
1st, Bump and Grind PROXCT XC
1st, Subaru Cup PROXCT XC1st, Subaru Cup PROXCT STXC
1st, Subaru Cup PROXCT STXC
2012
Member USA Olympic Mountain Bike Team London
1st, USA Cycling Marathon National Championship
1st, USA Cycling Short Track National Championship
1st, Pan Am Championships
2nd, USA Cycling Cross Country National Championship
1st, PROXCT Overall Champion
10th, London Olympic MTB
4th, UCI World Cup Wyndham
2011
1st, USA Cycling Cross Country National Championship
2nd, USA Cycling Short Track National Championship
1st, Sea Otter Classic XC
7th, UCI Mountain Bike World Championship Switzerland
1st Leadville Trail 100
1st La Ruta de los Conquistadores
1st, La Ruta de los Conquistadores Stage 1
2010
1st, USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships
1st, USA Cycling Short Track National Championships
1st, USA Cycling Cross Country National Championships
1st, Pan America Championship Guatemala
1st, Fontana US Cup XC
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