Big D presents a first in a series of rider profiles, where we highlight team members and talk about what makes them tick.

First up is Dr. David Whitney, a resident at the Kansas University Medical Center Department of Orthopedic Surgery. David joined the team earlier this year and has made progress in getting comfortable in the peloton and getting stronger as a racer. He has gone from getting his butt kicked in the crits to finishing in the middle of the field while helping his teammates along the way. His fellow Big D riders love riding behind Whitney because he has a powerful engine and is a formidable presence during an elbow-to-elbow race. “He’s such a big guy, that if somebody bumps into him, you know the’re just gonna bounce off,” said fellow racer Ron Marney. It’s just a matter of time before Whitney starts to channel his strength and produce win after win for the team.

Here’s a little more about Dave:

Age: 32
Height/Weight : 6’2”/ 220ish
Day Job: Orthopedic Surgery Resident at KU
Interests: Hanging out with my wife, Jamie and daughter Zoe, surgeonizing, riding/racing, single malt scotch and beer (in that order), music, post race/ride liquid carb loading, convincing my wife to let me buy bike stuff.
Cycling goals: get stronger, do well competing, help the team win, win myself, then…world domination!

After my last of several knee surgeries while an undergrad, my surgeon gave me the option of swimming or cycling as exercise for several months while rehabbing my injury. Preferring not to drown, I went to my local bike shop to look into a bike to cruise around on. A couple of weeks later, I purchased my first road bike and took my first ride, which consisted of a nice 7.5 miler with two pit stops, which included several four letter words and a couple bouts of vomiting. I was instantly hooked. I met a few people at the shop that took me under their wing and taught me the basics of cycling. I continued to ride throughout undergrad and medical school, racing a couple of times here and there, and getting thoroughly pummeled.

After medical school, my wife and I moved to Kansas City for my job and I was surprised to find a huge cycling community here in the KC area and so much enthusiasm for cycling. Motivated by this, I began to train and attempted to put together a club team in my department at work. And while the idea was met with great enthusiasm, getting a bunch of orthopedic surgery residents together to train and race is nearly impossible with the work schedule. So, when that idea fizzled, I began searching for a team to help me reach my riding and racing goals. I got in touch with Steve “Whales” Whalen and began riding with the team within a week. The team welcomed me and has been great! I couldn’t have found a better group of guys (and girls now) to ride with and learn from (although one of my new goals is to hurt Whales, JT, BDT, and Twan on a training rides as much as they hurt me). The team is strong, has a great dynamic, and superb support from all of the sponsors.

And as always, thanks to my beautiful wife and daughter, Jamie and Zoe for their support. Couldn’t do it without you!

Look for Dave at the upcoming criterium and road races the rest of the season as he begins his world domination run.