Stanley Goto
Jr. 10-12

Stanley's interest in cycling began at the age of 9 when he started to venture out of the neighborhood and take rides around Petaluma. Already active in Soccer, Baseball and Running, it seemed a little early to start racing but Stanley persisted and pleaded for a road bike. A challenge was placed that when he could ride his kid’s bike up a road on Sonoma Mountain, he could move up to a road bike. His determination and willingness to suffer for a goal was evident as he hauled that heavy "piece of junk" (as Stanley fondly now refers to it) to the summit on his first try.

After a year of building his strength on longer and longer rides, he learned of Team Swift. He recalls reading an article featuring Joseph Nygaard, who was 12 at the time, and being excited about the possibility of someone his age racing bicycles. Clad in sneakers and cut-offs, he joined a team ride at the end of the 2006 season. It was a little intimidating at first seeing all the racers with their cool jerseys and hot bikes. Coach Laura, the parents and all the riders were very supportive and Stanley had a great time.

He started racing in 2007 as an 11 year old. Cherry Pie was his first race and he was instantly hooked. As the season progressed, each race and training ride became a lesson learned. Sometimes it would be from Coach Laura or one of the veteran riders, other times the lesson was learned the hard way. The highlight of Stanley=s first year was joining his teammates to race at the Jr. Nationals in PA. The hard work and racing skills learned throughout the season paid off with a solid 8th place finish in the road race.

Stanley still runs, plays Little League Baseball and rides his waveboard with the other elementary school students but with one change. Cycling comes first now. He rides every chance he gets and seems to spend the rest of his time trying to upgrade his bike on e-bay. His goals for 2008 are to continue to improve and to be standing on the top of the podium at this year=s Junior National Championships in August.

2008 Race Results

Placing         Name of Race                 Category
1st Place     Cherry Pie Criterium         Junior 10-12
11th Place     Snelling Road Race         Junior 13--14
15th Place     Copperopolis Road Race Junior 13--14

2007 Race Results

Placing         Name of Race                 Category
1st Place     Memorial Day Criterium Junior 10-12
1st Place     Timpani Criterium Junior 10-12
2nd Place     herry Pie Criterium Junior 10-12
2nd Place     Copperopolis Road Race Junior 10-12
2nd Place     Cat’s Hill Criterium Junior 10-12
3rd Place     Corporate Criterium #2 Junior 13-14
3rd Place     Panoche Pass Road Race Junior 10-12
4th Place     NCNCA Criterium Championships Junior 10-12
5th Place     Corporate Criterium #1 Junior 13-14
8th Place     U.S. National Championship Road Race Junior 10-12
16th Place     U.S. National Championship Criterium Junior 10-
18th Place     U.S. National Championship Time Trial Junior 10-12