Acknowledgements
Written by Steven
Monday, 12 April 2004

I just want to take this opportunity to acknowledge some of the people along the way, who have been there with me through the good as well as the difficult times, in my pursuit to become a world class cyclist. I still have a long way to go and still a lot to prove before I reach my goal. I thank my mom and dad and my sister Anne for always being there, for always encouraging me, and for loving me as they do.

The following are individuals who have reached out to me and have picked me up when I was down, sponsored me, repaired my bicycles, encouraged me, and have given me the chance to compete in Europe as a cyclist against the best in the world of my age group. Many people have helped me out over the years so if I have not mentioned you I am sorry but thank you to the people who know they have helped me out. . .

(in alphabetical order)

Laura Charameda, Coach, Jr. Road Cycling Development, Team Swift, www.teamswift.org
Laura brought me into the sport. She was a world class cyclist herself. She always gave me encouragement and technical advice. Laura gave me the first opportunity to compete in Europe when I raced in Italy as a 16 year old. She has created a wonderful junior racing program and continues to make it grow. Laura has been the foundation for my development.

Noel Dejonckheere, Coach USA Cycling Espoir U23, www.usacycling.org
Noel is my espoir coach. He is bringing me into the competitive world of European espoir racing. He has been able to help me prepare for each race and coach me during the race through the use of headset radios. Noel was a former European champion dominating the sprints in some of the hardest races on earth. He is full of racing knowledge guiding us with the best advice a director could give. I would also like to thank his wife Els for the support and care she gives the racers here at the house.

Martin Hansen, Owner, Sunshine Bicycle Store, www.sunshinebicycle.com
Martin has been with me from the time my dad and mom bought me my first mountain bike when I was 12, and my first road bike when I was 15. Martin has always been there to repair my bikes and to help get them ready for the race the next day (sometimes the very same day) !

Steve McCauley and USA Cycling Staff, www.usacycling.org
Steve and the USA Cycling program have given me the opportunity to race in Europe as a junior and now as an espoir cyclist. USA Cycling have also provided me exceptional coaching from Noel and Danny.

Danny Van Haute, Coach USA Cycling Junior 17-18, www.usacycling.org
Danny introduced me to junior 17-18 cycling in Europe as my coach on the US Junior National Team. Danny has always been there for me especially through the difficult times. He always tries to pick me up when I’ve had a difficult race. Danny has provided me training plans to help me compete against some of the best European juniors and now espoir cyclists in the world.

Gus Van Sant, Director, Film Maker, and Writer
I met Gus Van Sant at the Sun Dance film festival when Scouting for all’s documentary was being showed. We became friends. He has been a sponsor for my cycling, providing me the financial support to help pay for travel, parts, repairs, cycling test and more. Without the sponsorship and friendship from Gus it would have been very difficult for me to compete at this current espoir level of racing.

Dr. Stephen Weiss, MD, Physician, Kaiser
Dr. Weiss, has always been there to help me stay healthy and to get well after becoming ill. The stress cycling places on one’s body makes the cyclist vulnerable to getting sick. Dr. Weiss has been my health support.

Lynn Woolsey, (D), Congresswoman, 6th Congressional District, CA, http://woolsey.house.gov
I met Lynn when I took my stand against the Boy Scouts of America’s discriminatory policy. She has always found time to support my efforts in standing against social injustice and my cycling. Lynn has sponsored me several times so I could afford to compete. Lynn has been a positive and encouraging person in my life both through her words of encouragement and the way she has tried to help make the earth a better place.

Chris De Vos, Soigneur
Chris is the espoir soigneur. He makes sure the cyclists are given a massages after long races to get all the lactic acid out of our muscles. He helps us get ready for each race. Chris is Mr. Encouragement. He is always positive and gives me the message that I can do it. In the face of the most difficult obstacle I have ever faced as a cyclist, Chris has been there believing in me and encouraging me. His support has helped lift my spirit during difficult and challenging moments. I will never forget the time when Chris picked me up after a race I dropped out of in Holland when I was 17. I got back to the car as the race was still going on all wet and muddy from the rain. I began to feel an overwhelming feeling of defeat and started crying. I felt like crap and didn’t think to highly of my future in the sport. Chris started talking to me and after our conversation I felt like I could win the Tour de France some day. He is not only the USA Nationals Soigneur but a good friend as well. Chris also has taken alot of the photos that are on my web page.

USA National Team Support Crew,
The team support over here is great. All the riders have to do is remember to bring there racing shoes and helmet. The rest is taken care of. We have wonderful mechanics.

Thanks for all the support guys,

Sincerely,

Steven Cozza