MetLife Cycling Team » The Team

Ben Liang

ag — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:13:49 +0000

Ryan Kelly

ag — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:10:52 +0000

Peter Bell

Brad — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:10:40 +0000

Rider: Peter Bell
Age:26
Height: 5′10″
Hometown: Greenfield, MA
Current Residence: Cambridge, MA
College: Middlebury College (Economics)
Occupation: Manger of Field Services, MetLife

Peter Bell returns to the MetLife – NorEast Cycling Team for the 2012 season in order to build on his strongest year as a rider to date. 2011 was hightligted by Peter’s win at the Lake Sunapee Road Race (A New England Classic). He didn’t let off for the MetLife – NorEast team where he was on the podium numerous other times.

When asked what he is looking for in 2012, Peter notes his desire for the teams continued improvement. “I would like to see the team continue its recent trajectory. I hope we can continue to diversify the types of races that we are competitive in.”

As the leader of the team on the road, look for Peter to be the go to man for the 2012 season.

Chris Coutu

Brad — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:07:47 +0000

Most people wonder how Chris manages it. He has a wife, two young sons, and a full-time job. And yet, weekend after weekend, he shows up to race, ready to go, eager to ride his bike. A two-sport NCAA athlete in his college years at Bowdoin where he played hockey and lacrosse, he shines when it comes to “taking one for the team.” He is particularly skilled at rolling time trial courses.

DOB: 5/19/1971
Height: 5′ 9″
Weight: 162 lbs
Strengths: Leadouts, TT
Hometown: Hingham, MA
College/major: Bowdoin College ‘93 Dean’s List, Double Major Gov’t/ History & Minor Economics
Current Residence: Upton, MA
Occupation: Employee Benefit Sales, MetLife
Other interests: Family time with my wife, Jenny, and two boys, Connor and Jack, ice hockey, and golf.

Ryan Fleming

Brad — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:06:06 +0000

Ryan Fleming begins his fifth year with the team after a successful 2009 campaign that included a win at the Saco Bay Criterium and numerous top five finishes throughout New England. Ryan has an uncanny ability to be in the right place as a race unfolds. He plans to use this focus to help MetLife become the most dominant amateur team in the Northeast. “This team knows how to have fun.” Ryan describes.

DOB: 4/9/1981
Height: 5′ 9″
Weight: 152 lbs
Strengths:Breakaways, Challenging One-Day Races, Technical
Criteriums, Cyclocross
Hometown: Keene, NH
College/major: University of NH, B.S. Chemical Engineering
Current Residence: Exeter, NH
Occupation: Loss Control Safety Specialist
Other Interests: XC Skiing, Hiking, Playing Piano, Eating Good Food, Microbrews, Spending time with Melissa

Andrew Gardner

Brad — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:05:10 +0000

Rider: Andrew Gardner
Age: 34
Weight: 143 lbs.
Hometown: Ironwood, Michigan
Current Residence: Ripton, VT
College: Bates
Major: Literature-Philosophy
Occupation: Head Nordic Ski Coach/ Sustainability Consultant, Middlebury College

Andrew Gardner returns to the MetLife – NorEast Cycling Team for his third season on the team. In 2011 Andrew proved to be a great asset to the squad where he covered numerous important attacks, and found himself in the right spot at the Tour of the Hilltowns and the Lake Sunapee Road Race. Andrew was a major reason for Peter’s win at Sunapee where he paced Peter up to the winning move, and kept him there all day for what would eventually be the teams first big result of 2011.

2012 should prove to be another strong year for Andrew as he looks to improve on one of his best years to date. Look once again for this man at the front of the field as he helps usher the MetLife – NorEast Cycling leadout train through the criterium season.

Landen Wark-Acebo

Brad — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:02:27 +0000

bio coming soon.

Austin Roach

Brad — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:02:01 +0000

Rider: Austin Roach
Age: 29
Weight: 185 lbs
Hometown: Bloomfield, IN
Current Residence: Princeton, NJ
… College: MIT and Princeton
Major: Physics and Nuclear Engineering
Occupation: Graduate student in Plasma Physics at Princeton

In the 2011 season was a confirmation of how talented Austin Roach is on the bike. Before the season even started, Austin arrived at team camp to lap the field at the Charge Pond Training Series in a solo effort. With his teammates aware of his potential already, this was simply foreshadowing the rest of the 2011 campaign. Months later, the MetLife – NorEeast Cycling diesel engine earned a hard fought 5th place finish at the U.S. National Championship Road Race. Additionally, he was an integral part of numerous team results with incredibly strong and consistent riding.

When asked why he races, Austin answers, “I dislike losing”. His goals both personal and for the team can be summed up with one word, “winning”. It is for this reason that the team is happy to announce Austin on the 2012 team for his third season.

Look for Austin Roach to make a big impact for the team once again in 2012. When not riding, you can find Austin in front of the dinner table due to his insatiable appetite.