US champ Durtschi signs for Leopard-Trek

Max Durtschi (Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin 23).

Max Durtschi (Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin 23). (Image credit: Jerome Lessard/www.jeromelessardphoto.com)

Two-time US junior national champion Max Durtschi will ride for the Leopard-Trek development team next season. Durtschi signed a one-year deal with the Luxembourg-based UCI Continental team that is owned by construction tycoon Flavio Becca 's Leopard SA, the same management company that owns the RadioShack-Nissan ProTour team.

Growing up in Missoula, Montana, Pat competed in his first bike race in 1985 at Flathead Lake. He studied English and journalism at the University of Oregon and has covered North American cycling extensively since 2009, as well as racing and teams in Europe and South America. Pat currently lives in the US outside of Portland, Oregon, with his imaginary dog Rusty.