Spanish bike brand and fitness equipment company BH Bikes has confirmed its sponsorship of US pro triathlete Kathy ‘KatchA’ Rakel in 2012. Rakel is beginning her third year of competing as a professionally licensed triathlete.
Kathy qualified for her pro card in May of 2009 but waited until 2010 to turn pro. In 2010, she began training under former, multiple-time World Champion Siri Lindley and became the first woman in the US Air Force to claim the overall women’s title at the Armed Forces Triathlon Championship.
In 2011, Kathy continued to juggle triathlon training and racing with her Air Force job and competed mainly in events within driving distance of her home in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2012, she will focus on triathlon full time. With a sincere passion for serving and representing her country, Kathy will also do all that she can to compete as part of Team USA in the 2016 Olympics.
“Words do not adequately express how thankful I feel to partner with BH, particularly during a year when I have committed to focusing on the sport full time,” said Rakel. “Many great triathletes and cyclists ride BH bikes, and I couldn’t feel happier about this opportunity. I look forward to what lies ahead in 2012!
“My expectations for 2012 are realistic considering my winter training has still been balanced with my job as an intelligence analyst for F-16 fighter pilots. However, multiple benchmarks in training are indicating that 2012 will be my strongest year yet! I love to work hard, in a smart way, and have left no stone unturned in my preparation for the race season.”
The BH Triathlon family has steadily increased its roster of triathletes, with Scotland’s Catriona Morrison recently signing with BH Bikes. Rakel and Morrison join BH’s growing group of sponsored triathletes – such as Eneko and Hektor Llanos Burgera, Angela Naeth, Nicola Spirig and Philippines triathlete Monica Torres.
