2013 Team Members
LIDIA FLUHME
Lidia is a 7-time Ironman Hawaii finisher with an Ironman PR of 10:22. In 2011 she discovered that she can also kick butt in a race that doesn’t involve swimming or running. Lidia’s love for all things NYC run deep, she’s a New Yorker of over 20 years. Her resume includes investment banking, modeling and an MBA from NYU, now Lidia runs Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York smooth like butter.
Uli FLUHME
Uli is looking back at 15 years of Gran Fondo experience. Having grown up as a pure road racer, he briefly competed at Ironman triathlon professionally (PR: 8:59). After five years as an attorney at a financial institution, he thought it was time to move on and put his two favorite things together: Gran Fondo and New York.
HEIDI BROECKING
Heidi is thrilled to be returning to Gruppo Sportivo GFNY for a second year. She’s also taken over the job of GFNY Head of Group Rides for the 2013 season. The mother, designer, and yoga teacher lives in the village of Nyack, a staple for New York and area cyclists. Her continuing education as a yoga teacher has given her a greater understanding of human biomechanics and it’s application for athletes. It’s allowed her to become a better teacher and cyclist. Next time you someone in a GFNY jersey, green helmet, waving, smiling and saying “Good Morning!”, look for the pigtails, it’s probably Heidi.
HAYDEN JUDD
Hayden is an import from Down Under (Napier, New Zealand). He’s an avid racer but prefers the wide open roads of a Gran Fondo over racing loops in parks or industrial areas. Perfect day on the bike? A 115 mile loop in his native New Zealand with Formula 1 racer Jensen Button. In real life he runs a Creative Agency that serves families in editing and organizing videos and photos. Sorry ladies, this well rounded Kiwi has been snatched off the market by lovely Hayley in 2011.
PAUL LEBONITTE
Paul is a lover of all things cycling: he follows the pro sport as much as he enjoys coaching others and racing himself. Ask him about his latest trips to the US Pro Cycling Challenge or to Belgium where he raced at the Amateur World Champs. Before getting into cycling in 1996, Paul was an avid golfer. His favorite cycling spots are River Road, the high mountains of Colorado, Northern Italy and the Bavaria/Austrian countryside.
OMAR TEJADA
Omar is our 2013 addition to Gruppo Sportivo. An athlete of over 20 years, he only discovered cycling three years ago but got hooked by its diversity. For Omar, cycling is the best way to exercise and see the world with friends all at once. Teaching comes natural to him so he seeks to help as many as possible to gain the skills, confidence and physical ability to reach their Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York goals. Being of Dominican Republic descent his aim is to promote cycling to the Latin community. Bienvenido amigo!
VITO VALENTINI
Vito’s passion is to make a positive difference in people’s lives. It’s no wonder that he is referred to as the Human Potential Catalyst. No matter how rookie or slow you think you are, Vito will take care of you and show you what you can achieve with work, persistance and a smile. Vito’s guide “How to survive GFNY” quickly became the hottest traded stock in the weeks before GFNY 2012. Be ready for more.
WADE WEGNER
Wade likes to go fast. Really fast. He prefers to let his legs do the talking. But that doesn’t stop him from waiving a friendly hello to other riders as he passes by. If you get a chance to keep up with him to ask what he does when he’s not on the bike or saving companies from disasters as a professional risk manager, he’ll say: “Is there anything but riding?”
