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10/23/2025

Honoring Veterans Through Action: The Story of Veteran Claims Paid (VCP)

Veteran Claims Paid (VCP) stands at the forefront of a vital mission: to lead the healthcare industry in procuring payment to private providers for the treatment they provide to American Veterans.

This mission is not just about financial transactions, it’s also about honoring Veterans by ensuring they receive the care they deserve and supporting their families through meaningful partnerships with organizations dedicated to their well-being.

A Specialist’s Approach to Veteran Care Reimbursement

Navigating the complexities of veteran healthcare reimbursement has long been a challenge for private providers. VCP was founded to address this very issue, offering a unique claims solution tailored exclusively to the needs of healthcare organizations serving America’s Veterans. By handling every aspect of the claims process, VCP enables healthcare providers to reallocate resources to higher-impact opportunities, improving operational efficiency and ensuring Veterans are never left waiting for the care they’ve earned.

Veteran Focused, Mission-Driven

VCP is more than a business, it’s a movement for Veterans. The leadership team brings a lifetime of service and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by those who have served and the nuances of the insurance industry. Their commitment extends beyond claims recovery to philanthropy and volunteerism, advising the VCP Foundation in its mission to identify and assist Veterans in need across the United States.

“At VCP, our mission is rooted in service,” co-founder and CEO Tony Taylor said. “We believe that honoring veterans means more than gratitude - it means action. By partnering with organizations like Project Echelon Racing, we’re able to extend our reach, provide meaningful support, and ensure that veterans and their families receive the care and opportunities they deserve.”

Building Bridges: The Partnership with Project Echelon Racing

The impact of VCP is amplified through its partnership with Project Echelon Racing, an organization whose mission is to educate, equip, and empower veterans through physical activity and community engagement. Project Echelon believes in the healing power of movement, the strength found in shared purpose, and the responsibility to support those who’ve sacrificed for our freedom.

This partnership is more than strategic - it’s deeply personal. Together, VCP and Project Echelon Racing are creating bridges between sport and service. Whether it’s through community events, mentorship programs, or shared storytelling, their collaboration amplifies the voices of veterans and ensures they are seen, heard, and supported.

“The VCP Foundation has become a cornerstone to Project Echelon and our ability to serve veterans through our mission,” said Eric Hill, Co-Founder and Race Director for Project Echelon. “The Foundation's commitment to helping others is clear through their humble leadership and ongoing support. What started as a random conversation at a coffee shop has turned into a powerful partnership.”

Through this partnership, VCP and Project Echelon Racing are not just riding for podiums, but for purpose. Their shared commitment honors service with action and transforms lives through connection.

The Road Ahead

As access to private care for Veterans continues to expand, so does the burden on providers to secure timely and accurate reimbursement.

VCP’s mission remains clear: to honor Veterans by providing aid and partnering with other organizations that support Veterans and their families in need. With a foundation built by Veterans and a commitment to service, VCP is transforming how providers manage and recover veteran-related claims, ensuring that those who served are always supported.

Together with Project Echelon Racing, VCP is building a movement that honors service, empowers through purpose, and never stops moving forward.

9/9/2025

Beyond the Finish: Brendan Rhim’s Story of Injury, Triumph, and Purpose

From international victories and grueling setbacks to his Olympic ambitions and the deeper meaning behind racing for Project Echelon, Brendan Rhim shares candid insights into his journey, resilience, and motivation.

Dave Barr: The past 18 months have been intense for you, transitioning from track to road, achieving Pan Am success, and then facing injury. How would you describe this period?

Brendan Rhim: It’s been chaotic, starting last year with Project Echelon Racing on the road. I spent about 80% of the year traveling, racing, and training. There were some incredible results, including winning a Pan American title for team USA on the track in Los Angeles, helping Tyler Sites win the overall at Redlands racing in the PER kit, plus a stage win for myself. The year was bookended with a fifth place at the World Championships in team pursuit (track). This year started well, but I had a crash in Spain at the Volta Valenciana. A team car pulled out in the caravan, blocked the road, and I crashed into the back of a motorcycle. I flipped over, hurt my back, and had to withdraw from the race. The pain was intense, and although X-rays didn’t show anything serious, it set me back. Even after starting to feel better, my first rides outside were tough—one thing after another seemed to go wrong.

Dave Barr: After those setbacks, you shifted focus to track racing. How did you manage your mindset during recovery and getting back into form?

Brendan Rhim: February and March were especially challenging. I started working with a therapist last October, which helped me overcome fears from crashes and rebuild my confidence. Therapy was crucial for my return to racing, especially after not trusting drivers while training. I needed a month at home to get my feet back under me and train consistently. By May and June, I was racing again at Nationals and Armed Forces, and then a block of racing in LA. March and April were rough, but since then, things have improved.

Dave Barr: What are the main differences between road and track racing, and how do you adapt between the two?

Brendan Rhim: They’re similar in some ways, but track racing is all about raw power, while road racing also requires careful attention to weight. On the track, it’s about being as strong as possible, while on the road, you have to balance power and weight. Track events are shorter and demand quick decision-making, much like sprinting on the road. The final moments of a road race often feel just like a track race.

Dave Barr: You’ll be racing in Maryland next for Project Echelon, but let’s talk about your track ambitions. What are your plans for LA28?

Brendan Rhim: My dream has always been to race in the Olympics. After Tokyo, there was a lull in the USA men’s endurance track program, which gave me a chance to join and learn. Paris was our initial goal, but it was too soon for us to qualify. The long-term plan is to compete in team pursuit at the LA Games, which would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Racing at a home Olympics is something very few athletes get to do, and it’s incredibly special.

Dave Barr: What does being part of Project Echelon Racing mean to you?

Brendan Rhim: It’s about learning from veterans and understanding true sacrifice. Racing can be self-focused, but with Project Echelon, we represent something bigger, a community, especially veterans. Wearing the jersey means standing for something greater than myself. I’ve lived with veterans and learned what real sacrifice means, which puts the suffering we experience on the bike into perspective.

8/28/2025

A Test of Resilience, Mindset, and the Power of Adaptation - Reflecting on the Volta Portugal with Caleb Classen

For Caleb Classen of Project Echelon Racing, the Volta a Portugal was more than just a race—it was a test of resilience, mindset, and the power of adaptation. Over ten grueling days of racing through the Portuguese countryside, Classen and his teammates faced intense heat, mechanical setbacks, and a peloton stacked with world-class talent. Yet through it all, they found moments of triumph and transformation.

“Going into the Volta a Portugal, I was quite confident in myself,” Classen shared. “Yet a bit unsure what to expect from the race. How would I handle the heat, how would I stack up against the Portuguese peloton, and how would my body respond to 10 days of all-out racing?

That uncertainty quickly turned into a physical and mental challenge. After struggling through the first two stages, Classen admitted, “It was clear just finishing the race would be a huge challenge.”

But everything changed in Stage 3. The day began with a brutal 15-kilometer climb, and Classen found himself dangling off the back in the neutral zone, fighting just to stay in the race.

“It was everything I had to not get dropped in the first 15 minutes,” he recalled. Then came a steep, technical descent. One that would shift his entire mindset. “I pretty much ripped it as hard as I could. I had so much fun on that descent that it completely turned my mental state around for the rest of the stage.”

That shift in perspective proved powerful. Instead of fearing the climbs, Classen began using the descents to position himself strategically.
“Before I knew it, we had made it over all the major climbs and were on a hilly finishing circuit in a position to fight for the win. So, I figured I'd do just that, and it almost worked.” He finished second on the stage, a result that underscored how confidence can transform performance. “It just shows how quickly your mindset can switch from just trying to survive at the back of the peloton, to having the confidence to go for the win, and how big of a difference it makes in your riding.”

Consistency, Classen emphasized, is rooted in preparation and mentality.

“Preparation is straightforward—we all know what to do, it's just a matter of doing it. Mentality on the other hand is fickle.”
Facing a European peloton filled with World Tour riders, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But Classen reframed the challenge.

“It helps to try and see it as an opportunity to show that you deserve to be on the start line with those riders. It only takes one small instance of success to affirm that in your mind and give you the confidence to make an impact in the race.”
The team’s journey wasn’t without logistical hurdles. After Stage 2, their bus broke down, an essential piece of infrastructure for recovery and comfort during long, hot days.

“I think we were all pretty devastated,” Classen said. “It sucked for the riders, but it also created a lot of logistical challenges for the staff, who already had a bit too much on their plates to begin with.”

Yet the team’s support crew rose to the occasion.

“They didn’t skip a beat, did what needed to be done, and took care of us the best they could.”

One moment stood out: “My favorite instance of ‘doing what needed to be done’ would have to be super gluing the broken radiator of our van which had broken down 500 meters from the top of the Stage 4 summit finish. The van made it back to the hotel that night, running as good as ever.”

As the team looks ahead to future races like Maryland, Classen carries forward a key lesson: “Sometimes you just need to shoot your shot, even when you don't think it's going to work. You might surprise yourself.”

In a race where Project Echelon may be seen as underdogs, Classen is ready to go all in. “If I put all my cards on the table and nothing comes of it, I won't lose any sleep. But it would be a disappointment if I never put myself in the position to try.”

_______________________________________________
The 2025 Maryland Cycling Classic is set to make history on Saturday, September 6, as it welcomes both men’s and women’s professional races for the first time on a fully urban circuit in Baltimore. As the only UCI ProSeries one-day race in the United States, this event draws elite international teams—including Tour de France participants, national champions, and Olympians—to compete on a challenging 17.9-mile loop that winds through the heart of Charm City. The redesigned course features 28 technical turns, cobblestone sections, explosive climbs, and a fast final sprint along East Pratt Street, offering spectators thrilling race dynamics and multiple viewing zones across the city.

Maryland native and Project Echelon racer Scott McGill, placed seventh in the 2023 edition of the Classic.

7/17/2025

Project Echelon Tops the North American Medal Rankings Midway Through the 2025 Season

Continue reading with Criterium Nation HERE.

5/28/2025

Trace-A-Matic and Project Echelon Racing: Equipping and Empowering Veterans

At Trace-A-Matic, their mission is clear: "Equipping those who Defend Freedom."

Trace-A-Matic was founded in 1968 and has since grown into a leading precision machining company known for its commitment to quality and innovation.

Headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, with additional operations in Houston, Texas, the company operates over 140 advanced CNC machining centers across more than 300,000 square feet of climate-controlled manufacturing space.

Trace-A-Matic serves a diverse range of industries, including aerospace and defense, medical equipment, oil and gas, power generation, food processing, heavy transportation and for Project Echelon Racing - racing components.

The company’s mission is centered on delivering exceptional customer satisfaction through manufacturing excellence. This is reflected in their core values, which emphasize quality, a can-do attitude, respect, truthfulness, and generosity. These values are not only embedded in their operations but also in their approach to workforce development and community engagement.

“We are dedicated to providing our customers with high-quality components for their assemblies, ensuring that our warfighters have the greatest confidence of success in the field,” Thorsten Wienss, CEO of Trace-A-Matic said. “This commitment to excellence extends beyond our products and into our partnerships, most notably with Project Echelon Racing.”

Under the leadership of Wienss, Trace-A-Matic has deepened its social impact by aligning with causes like Project Echelon Racing. Wienss, a longtime supporter and friend of the organization, has helped shape a company culture that values both technical precision and human purpose.

Educate, Equip, and Empower Veterans Project Echelon Racing shares a vision that resonates deeply with Trace-A-Matic: to Educate, Equip, and Empower Veterans. Through this partnership, they are not only providing veterans with the latest technology to ensure their safe return home but are also committed to supporting their journey to live a full life upon their return. By giving veterans a new life mission - help them overcome the physical or mental challenges they may face.

“Our partnership with Project Echelon Racing is a testament to our shared mission of equipping and empowering those who serve. Whether it's through providing top-notch components for our current enlisted men and women or supporting veterans in their journey to a fulfilling life, we are proud to stand alongside Project Echelon in making a difference. Together, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of those who defend our freedom and the veterans who have served our country.”

Workforce Development and Opportunities Trace-A-Matic, is always looking for talented individuals to join their team. Currently, Wienss and team are heavily recruiting machine operators who are eager to grow into machinists. We believe in providing our employees with the opportunity to learn and develop the skills needed to keep their brothers enlisted safe with high-quality technology. By investing in our workforce, we ensure that our commitment to excellence continues for generations to come.
Trace-A-Matic’s story is one of precision, purpose, and partnership—where cutting-edge manufacturing meets a heartfelt commitment to those who serve. To learn more about Trace-A-Matic, visit their website HERE.

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Honoring Veterans Through Action: The Story of Veteran Claims Paid (VCP)

Beyond the Finish: Brendan Rhim’s Story of Injury, Triumph, and Purpose

A Test of Resilience, Mindset, and the Power of Adaptation - Reflecting on the Volta Portugal with Caleb Classen

Project Echelon Tops the North American Medal Rankings Midway Through the 2025 Season

Trace-A-Matic and Project Echelon Racing: Equipping and Empowering Veterans

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