Zak was born in Boulder Colorado but he grew up in Lafayette, “which unlike Boulder is actually grounded in reality.” Growing up he played he played baseball and ice hockey mainly. “My dad is Canadian so I didn’t really have too much of a choice in regards to hockey; kind of required.” Both his parents were big cycling fans and took him to many races when he was young. At the young age of 12 years old Zak started racing bicycles, he got more serious when he was 14 and since then has continued to excel on the bike.

Zak has spent the past few years splitting time as a student at the Colorado School of Mines studying civil engineering and racing his bike. Zak has won a number of national titles and his experience will be priceless for the Team For 2008 look for Zak to be at the top of the result sheet in the time trials and as an all around threat in any one day race.