Vermont’s Cooper Willsey is ready for a battle at U23 Nationals in Reno

Back from his fourth European race, U.S. cyclocrosser and Furman sophomore Cooper Willsey is gearing up for the Men’s U23 race at Reno Nationals on Sunday, Jan. 14. Cyclocross Magazine asked the Vermont native about his work ethic and expectations. “I believe in setting realistic goals and understanding that my results may fall short of my expectations. The key to enjoying the experience is striking the right balance and learning from each race so you can better prepare yourself for the next one.” Willsey, a Business Administration major who has his sights set on becoming a professional rider, said,”I’m satisfied with my season so far. As a full-time student, I cannot race as often as my competitors, so I need to make each race count. I’m happy to have placed consistently inside the top ten in the biggest domestic races and to have landed on four UCI [Union Cycliste Internationale] podiums.”