A look up and down any start list these days and you will invariably see an emphasis on the word "team." Working cohesively and in unison is as integral to the sport of cycling as it is in any sport, and it is never more apparent than in the discipline of the team time trial.

In today's opening stage of the 2010 Tour of Qatar, an 8.2km Team Trial Trial around Doha's West Bay Lagoon, the newly conceived Team Sky took the honors ahead of the more established Team Garmin-Transitions and Team Saxo Bank, respectively. The victory would launch Edvald Boasson Hagen into the overall race lead, and would serve as a most veracious reply to the recent comments made by Bradley Wiggins' former boss, Jonathan Vaughters, who still seems to be smarting after the Brit's departure.

Stage 1 Results
1. Team Sky
2. Team Garmin-Transitions
3. Team Saxo Bank

More:
Bradley Wiggins laughs last as Team Sky open with a thunderclap

Next: Stage 2 - Camel Race Track to Qatar Foundation (147 km)

It has been a little over a year since I last wrote this Friday column, but given the time of season, it only seemed appropriate to resurrect it.

2010 Tour of Qatar

The 9th edition of the Tour of Qatar begins this Sunday, February 7th. The six-stage race will once again kick off with a Team Time Trial, which will cover 8.2km around Doha's West Bay Lagoon. Tom Boonen (Quick Step), a three-time winner of race, will return to the Gulf emirate to defend his title along with 127 other riders, 120 of whom will be looking to knock him off his golden-fleeced perch.

Schedule
Sunday, February 7 - Stage 1 - West Bay Lagoon to West Bay Lagoon – Team TT (8.2 km)
Monday, February 8 – Stage 2 - Camel Race Track to Qatar Foundation (147 km)
Tuesday, February 9 – Stage 3 - Dukhan to Mesaieed (136.5 km)
Wednesday, February 10 – Stage 4 - The Pearl to Al Khor Corniche (146.5 km)
Thursday, February 11 – Stage 5 - Lusail to Madinat Al Shamal (142 km)
Friday, February 12 – Stage 6 - Al Wakra to Doha Corniche (123.5 km)

Map

Download (PDF, 752.94KB)

Start List

Versus will not be televising the race live, but instead will show a 1-hour recap of the entire race on Sunday, February 21st from 3-4PM EST. For coverage, go to CyclingFans.com or Steephill.tv for live video.

Team Vera Bradley Foundation Fundraiser

After a successful initial Breast Cancer fundraiser in St. Louis last month, the women of Team Vera Bradley Foundation are once again flexing their muscles to raise monies to fight a disease which effects approximately 13% (one in eight) of women in the United States.

On Friday, February 12th, team members Erica Allar, Robin Farina and Alison Powers will be on hand at Uptown Cycles in Charlotte, North Carolina to host the event. Participants will have the opportunity to test their legs during one of the four Computrainer sessions in support of Team Vera Bradley Foundation's fund-raising efforts on behalf of their title sponsor the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the Foundation.

Classes are open to all genders, ages and abilities. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest male and female finisher as well as the top finishers in masters, juniors, Cat 5, Cat 4 and Cat 3.

Classes begin every 75 minutes (4:00PM, 5:30PM, 6:45PM, & 8:00PM). Eight spots are available in each time slot. To reserve your spot, call Uptown Cycles at (704) 632-7440. Bring your bike, shoes, water bottle and sweat towel.

Cost: $25

Local Flavors

While a snow storm is blanketing the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States this weekend, the road season is set to kick off in other parts of the country. Below are but a few of the races, for this weekend and the next, in select areas of the country. If you have never seen a race, consider taking in your first. If you have never participated, but are considering making the leap, make 2010 the year to do so.

02/06/2010
Boulevard Road Race
Boulevard, CA
Flapjack Flats Time Trial
Pinal County, AZ

02/07/2010
7th Annual Red Trolley Classic
San Diego, CA
McDowell Mt. Circuit Race
Fountain Hills, AZ
Cherry Pie Criterium
Napa, CA

02/12/2010
Valley of the Sun Stage Race
Phoenix, AZ

02/13/2010
Cantua Creek Road Race
Coalinga, CA

02/14/2010
Pine Flat Road Race
Piedra, CA

02/15/2010
Dinuba Criterium
Dinuba, CA

Cue Michael Buffer. "The winner, and still..."

The Tour of Qatar has always been known as a sprinter's race because of its flat parcours. And over the course of the three day Ladies' version, the sprinters did indeed have their day.  Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan's top sprinter, Rasa Leleivyte, would surprise on Stage 1, while the always combative Giorgia Bronzini (Italy) would take Stage 2. However, in the race for the overall classification, it was Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam) who would provide the abject lesson that the best finisher does not always the best sprinter make.

The 27-year-old Dutch rider took today's 94km Stage 3 from the Sealine Beach Resort to the Doha Corniche, and in the process laid claim to as many Ladies Tour of Qatar titles as she has stage wins, two.

By virtue of taking all but one intermediate sprint and finishing respectfully, a 19th and 4th place, in the previous two stages, the defending champion was never more than 4 seconds off the race lead. Wild's Stage 3 victory over Bronzini and America's Lauren Tamayo, who latched on to Wild's wheel in the finishing straight, but was unable to come around, all but secured her reign as the queen of the Gulf emirate of Qatar.

On The Mend

Amber Rais (US National Team), who was slated to make her 2010 debut in Qatar, crashed in training the day before the race started. The initial diagnosis of a fractured pelvis has now been formalized as a nondisplaced fracture of the superior pubic ramus.  Her pain is negligible while resting, but becomes excruciating in any attempts to move her right leg.  She has not received a full prognosis on her recovery yet, but will most likely receive one once she returns to Austria.

"For the time being, I am in good spirits, finding a helluva lot of motivation in the messages and wishes of everyone who has written. Those messages are helping me focus on looking forward and staying positive. Folks have been sending me funny links, inspirational stories of post-injury comebacks, and some great quotes and websites to keep me occupied. It's keeping my mind on good thoughts, and I am very thankful. The nurses keep saying they can't believe what a good frame of mind I am keeping in spite of the pain; if they could see my inbox, they would know why!"

Stage 3 Results
1. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
3. Lauren Tamayo (US National Team)

Other Notables
13. Shelley Evans (US National Team)
15. Kirsty Broun (Australia)
16. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
20. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia Women)
21. Sinead Miller (US National Team)
24. Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia Women)
29. Tiffany Cromwell (Australia)
37. Sarah Düster (Cervelo TestTeam)
44. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi -Pasta Zara Manhattan)
45. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
49. Ruth Corset (Australia)
50. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
57. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team)
72. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
DNF Chloe Hosking ( HTC Columbia Women)
DNF Katharine Carroll (US National Team)
DNS Susanne Ljungskog (Team MTN)

Overall Classification - Final
1. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
3. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi -Pasta Zara Manhattan)
4. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team)
5. Martine Bras (Netherlands)
6. Lauren Tamayo (US National Team)
7. Adrie Visser (HTC Columbia Women)
8. Kirsty Broun (Australia)
9. Monique Van De Ree (Netherlands)
10. Sarah Düster (Cervelo TestTeam)

Other Notables
16. Tiffany Cromwell (Australia)
18. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
24. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia Women)
26. Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia Women)
46. Shelley Evans (US National Team)
50. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
51. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
52. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
53. Ruth Corset (Australia)
66. Sinead Miller (US National Team)

Jersey Winners - Final
Overall - Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team)
Points - Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
Young Rider - Rasa Leleivyte (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan)

Photo: KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images

Italy's Giorgia Bronzini, who found the parcours of the Ladies Tour of Qatar to her liking last year, taking two of the three stages, returned to her winning ways in the Gulf emirate by seizing today's 107km Stage 2 from Al Zubarah to Oryx Farm, which was cut short to 90km because of high winds.

Adept at finding her way through the pack on both the track and road, the 26-year-old riding in the azzuro of Italy powered past Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team) and Martine Bras (Netherlands) for her first win of the season. For her efforts, Bronzini moved into the overall race lead and into the golden leader's jersey, which was previously held by Rasa Leleivyte (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan), who maintained her lead in the Best Young Rider classification.

The US National Team showed well on Stage 2 as Lauren Tamayo finished in 5th, just off today's podium. The often unheralded Tamayo is the highest placed American in the field, sitting in 17th place just 16 seconds off the race lead.

Stage 2 Results
1. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
2. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team)
3. Martine Bras (Netherlands)

Other Notables
4. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
5. Lauren Tamayo (US National Team)
11. Tiffany Cromwell (Australia)
16. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
23. Sinead Miller (US National Team)
30. Shelley Evans (US National Team)
33. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia)
35. Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia Women)
36. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
37. Sarah Düster (Cervelo TestTeam)
44. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
66. Ruth Corset (Australia)
71. Kirsty Broun (Australia)
72. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
75. Katharine Carroll (US National Team)
83. Susanne Ljungskog (Team MTN)

Overall Classification After Stage 2
1. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
2. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
3. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi -Pasta Zara Manhattan)
4. Rochelle Gilmore ( Lotto Ladies Team)
5. Chloe Hosking (HTC Columbia Women)
6. Martine Bras (Netherlands)
7. Adrie Visser ( HTC Columbia Women)
8. Monique Van De Ree (Netherlands)
9. Sarah Düster (Cervelo TestTeam)
10. Loes Gunnewijk (Nederland Bloeit)

Other Notables
11. Kirsty Broun (Australia)
15. Tiffany Cromwell (Australia)
17. Lauren Tamayo ( US National Team)
21. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
27. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia Women)
31. Noemi Cantele HTC Columbia Women)
39. Susanne Ljungskog (Team MTN)
50. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
56. Shelley Evans (US National Team)
63. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
68. Ruth Corset (Australia)
69. Katharine Carroll (US National Team)
70. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
74. Sinead Miller (US National Team)

Next: Stage 3 - Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche (94 km)

Photo: KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images

Rahsaan Bahati's message about his foundation may seem new to some, but it is a message that, frankly, has been long overdue to be heard [and acted upon], especially in and for our inner cities.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul — Organizers of the Minnesota Bicycle Festival have announced that Nature Valley is increasing its commitment. After sponsoring the Nature Valley Grand Prix pro stage race for ten years, they will expand their involvement to sponsor the overall festival in 2010. The event, which still includes the Nature Valley Grand Prix, has been renamed the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival and will take place June 11-20, 2010.

“Nature Valley’s growing commitment to cycling stands in sharp contrast to many other sponsors in the sport who are reducing or eliminating their cycling programs,” said Festival Executive Director David LaPorte. “Nature Valley is looking towards the future and recognizes that cycling is one of the most popular activities in the country. While we’re thrilled that their commitment to our event is growing, we’re even more pleased that they are supporting the sport as a whole, which is our mission as well.”

The Nature Valley Bicycle Festival will take place June 11-20, 2010 and will include the Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic and the renowned Nature Valley Grand Prix pro stage race, considered the prime event on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar.

The Nature Valley Grand Prix professional stage race opens June 16 in Saint Paul with a morning time trial and evening criterium held in Downtown Saint Paul adjacent to Rice Park. The Nature Valley Grand Prix continues with a road race in Cannon Falls on June 17. Stage 4 takes place in Minneapolis on Friday evening June 18 in the city’s dynamic Uptown neighborhood.

On Saturday, June 19, the racers travel east to Menomonie, WI for the Menomonie Road Race, marking the first time that the Nature Valley Grand Prix includes a stage outside of Minnesota. Racers will contest Stage 6, the Stillwater Criterium, on Sunday, June 20, with both men and women cyclists completing the short circuit race, which includes riding up Chilikoot Hill 20 times, a grueling 24-percent-grade hill climb, considered the most difficult in North American cycling.

In addition to professional racing, other activities, including the Fan Zone, stunt riders, musical entertainment and bike and fitness expos will be offered at all stages of the five-day race with the exception of the time trial. The Tour de Kids fun races at each site are free and are open to children age 12 and under.

The Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic will take place at the National Sports Center Velodrome in Blaine the weekend of June 11-13, prior to the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Velodrome track racing is an Olympic sport which features world class cyclists racing at speeds of up to 40 mph. Bikes used in fixed-gear track races have only one gear and do not have brakes, making the races fast and exciting for both spectators and riders.

Now in its 12th year, the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival is a five-day celebration of cycling that includes amateur and professional racing and community events. The Nature Valley Grand Prix has become the premier professional bike race in the U.S., attracting top American racing teams and riders from around the world. Proceeds from the Nature Valley Grand Prix are donated to Children’s Hospital and its Pediatric Hospice program.

The Nature Valley Grand Prix is free and open to the public. It is the only professional sporting event in Minnesota for which no admission ticket is required. The festival is a natural fit for Minnesota and Wisconsin as both states are populated with cycling enthusiasts. Several urban bike trails have opened in the past few years and the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area boasts the most commuter bike trips per capita, an honor it shares with Portland, Oregon. For more information and a detailed schedule of events visit Nature Valley Bicycle Festival website.

Rasa Leleivyte (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan), the current Lithuania National Road Champion, took today's 103.5km Stage 1, from the Museum of Islamic Art to Al Khor Corniche, of the 2010 Ladies Tour of Qatar in a bunch sprint just ahead of a hard charging Giorgia Bronzini (Italian National Team), who won Stage 1 in last year's event, and Australia's Chloe Hosking (Team HTC-Columbia).

Leleivyte, a 21-year-old originally from Vilnius, is a former Junior World Road Champion (2006) and European U23 Road Champion (2008). This season, Leleivyte takes over as Safi - Pasta Zara Manhattan's top sprinter, a position which coincidentally belonged to former teammate Bronzini.

Stage 1 Results
1. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi - Pasta Zara Manhattan)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
3. Chloe Hosking (HTC Columbia Women)

Other Notables
19. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
26. Trixi Worrack (Germany)
27. Lauren Tamayo (US National Team)
28. Judith Arndt (HTC Columbia Women )
31. Susanne Ljungskog (Team MTN)
32. Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia Women)
50. Emilia Fahlin (HTC Columbia Women)
66. Elizabeth Hatch (Lotto Ladies Team)
67. Janel Holcomb (US National Team)
68. Ruth Corset (Australia)
69. Katharine Carroll (US National Team)
70 Shelley Olds (US National Team)
81. Sinead Miller (US National Team)
DNF Lynette Burger (Lotto Ladies Team)
DNF Nadège Matthey De L'Endroit (Switzerland)
DNF Carla Swart (Team MTN)
DNF Elizabeth Armitstead (Cervelo TestTeam)

Overall Classification After Stage 1
1. Rasa Leleivyte (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan)
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
3. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam)
4. Chloe Hosking (HTC Columbia Women)
5. Adrie Visser (HTC Columbia Women)
6. Sarah Düster (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
7. Monique Van De Ree (Netherlands)
8. Loes Gunnewijk (Nederland Bloeit)
9. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies Team)
10. Marina Romoli (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan)

Next: Stage 2 - Al Zubarah to Oryx Farm (107 km)

Photo: KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images

In a region where covered arms, legs, and head are the norm for a woman's attire, the relatively liberal Gulf emirate of Qatar is once again set to host some of the premier riders of the women's professional peloton for the 2010 Ladies Tour of Qatar.

Organized by the Amaury Sports Organization, which also operates the Tour de France, the three day, three stage race will cover 304.5km and offer approximately € 18,689 (roughly $26,000) in prize money, including € 1,128 (≈ $1,500) to the overall winner.

Stages
Wednesday, February 3 - Stage 1 - Museeum of Islamic Art to Al Khor Corniche (103.5 km)
Thursday, February 4 - Stage 2 - Al Zubarah to Oryx Farm (107 km)
Friday, February 5 - Stage 3 - Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche (94 km)

Map

Download (PDF, 709.08KB)

Last year's historic first edition of the race was won by Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team), who is back to defend her title along with Giorgia Bronzini (Italian National Team), who captured victory in two of three stages and donned the first ever Ladies Tour of Qatar golden leader's jersey.

David Garrett of Sportsworld was on hand last year and filed the following report of the inaugural event.

Despite the unfortunate news of an injury, sustained in training, to Amber Rais, the US National Team will look to bolster its international credentials with another strong contingent of riders in Shelley Evans, Katharine Carroll, Janel Holcomb, Sinead Miller, and Lauren Tamayo.

The race will also be the debut of American Liz Hatch (formerly of the Italian squad Team System Data) for the Belgium based Lotto Ladies Team.

Full Start List - Provisional

Photo: Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images

The Austin, Texas-based professional team will field a multi-national roster of seven professional/elite riders to go along with five others who are part of the Team Hotel San José Under 23 Junior Development Program.

Headlining the pro squad is 2009 Athens Twilight Criterium winner Heath Blackgrove. The 29-year-old is coming off one of his best seasons, with victories at the Tour of Southland in his native country of New Zealand, the Mississippi Grand Prix, Texas Tough Grand Prix II and the Tour of Lawrence.

Team Hotel San José Executive Director Todd Reed said he will lean on Blackgrove, a ninth-year professional, to be a leader in a number of ways.

“We have built a developmental team around Heath and he will play a pivotal role when they are on the road,” Reed said. “Not only does he have the most experience, but he is also a terrific mentor for our younger riders and even the Team Hotel San José club members.”

Blackgrove said Team Hotel San José should be competitive in nearly every type of race. The squad has added strength for breakaways and hilly races, and boosted its speed for sprints and criteriums.

“While the extra strength will give us more options, I am very excited to work with the sprinters we have on board and setting them up for the bunch finishes,” Blackgrove said. “I really think we're going to surprise a lot of people this year and look forward to helping develop Team Hotel San José.”

One of the speedsters on the team is Carlos Vargas. The 27-year-old Columbian is the 2009 Texas state criterium champion who won two stages of the Mississippi Grand Prix on the way to finishing third overall. He is also a perennial podium placer at the International Cycling Classic (Superweek) series. Helping him in the lead-outs will be Australian strongman Sean Sullivan, 31, who won a stage of the Tour of Austin last year

Team Hotel San José has also bolstered its already talented line-up with the addition of several promising newcomers, including New Zealander Logan Hutchings, Cody Foster (a 19-year-old who was fourth in the junior men’s time trial at the 2009 USA Cycling championships), American Alex Battle-Woods and current Under 23 U.S. national team member Travis Burandt. Hutchings, 25, is new to the U.S. racing scene. He won two stages last year at the Tour of Southland and captured the Under 23 New Zealand national road and time trial titles in 2005.

Other notables on the roster include Joshua Carter (multi-stage winner at the International Cycling Classic), Ronnie Strange (2009 Hotter 'N Hell Hundred criterium winner) and Stefan Rothe (Texas State Time Trial Champion 2009) of Germany.

In 2009, Team Hotel San José won 50 races and registered 95 podium (top three) placings, including victories at the Athens Twilight Criterium, the Texas Tough Grand Prix II, the Tour of Lawrence, the Mississippi Grand Prix, the Texas and Colorado state criterium championships and a sweep of the podium at the Tour of Austin.

Team Owner and Manager Barry Lee said the long-term vision for the team is to apply for continental license status in 2011. In the short-term, the development of juniors and Under 23 racers is a priority and has always been the program's focus.

“This team is a complete package of what cycling can deliver on a number of levels: from grass roots events, to camps and clinics, to club and amateur developmental programs all the way up to the elite pro level,” Lee said. “We like being the underdog team at the larger races – because our guys thrive on winning and being the long-shots.”

The team’s management company, Redbud Sports, LLC, has a solid reputation in sporting events and operations. Redbud Sports manages the Team Hotel San José Cycling and Multi-Sport Club programs, the latter of which boasts more than 120 members. Redbud Sports also puts on Pace Bend Road Race, the largest annual road race in the State of Texas.

“We want to make a difference,” Lee said. “We have a large club, a large team, and high expectations of them both. They are required to volunteer and work at our events and in the community through camps and clinics, etc.”

Pro/Elite Roster
Alex Battle-Woods* (USA), Zach Bergh* (USA), Heath Blackgrove (NZL), Travis Burandt* (USA), Josh Carter (USA), Cody Foster* (USA), Logan Hutchings (NZL), Stefan Rothe (GER), Ronnie Strange (USA), Sean Sullivan (AUS), Joseph Tokarski* (USA), Carlos Vargas (COL).

*Under 23 Junior Development team member.

Photo: Laura Reed

For years, the impetus for acquiring the necessary tools to excel in events such as the World Championships and Olympics fell largely on the individual. Two of our country’s most successful riders, Kristin Armstrong and Amber Neben, rode to prominence because of their decision, early on in their respective career, to forgo the American style of racing and ride on European based teams.

But with the hiring of Lacambra, who brings his vast experience as a Director Sportif in the European style of racing, the women that comprise our US National team have now been afforded the opportunity to not only tap his considerable knowledge base, but also to garner invaluable experience abroad while still maintaining a foothold in the States.

Colorado Springs, CO - USA Cycling announced today the hiring of Management Cycling Prof, S.L.to manage the organization’s Women’s Endurance Program.

Led by Director Sportif Manel Lacambra, the Spanish-based company will direct the national governing body’s women’s development efforts from the USA Cycling European Residence Center in Lucca, Italy. Lacambra will play an integral role in developing the next crop of world-class American female cyclists.

A professional women’s team manager for the past four years, Lacambra has managed the Univega Pro Cycling Team, and most recently, the German-based Cervelo Test Team (previously known as Cervelo Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team). Throughout his tenure with Cervelo, the Spanish team manager has worked very closely with American standout, Olympic gold medalist, and two-time world champ in the time trial, Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho/Cervelo Test Team).

“After two great years of working with Kristin, I get the opportunity to work with the U.S. National Team and am very happy for that,” the 34-year-old Lacambra said. “Over the last few years, I have noticed that U.S. riders are talented but that they have a different style of racing than in Europe. I like the American people and their professionalism and will do my best to raise the U.S. Women’s National Team to the highest possible level.”

Lacambra is a former road racer and race mechanic. Under his team management, Cervelo Test Team grabbed 87 podium places in 2009 UCI events, including five World Cup victories.

“We need to continue to drive the development and education of American female cyclists, and Manel is one of the best directors in the world when it comes to professional women’s cycling,” explained USA Cycling’s Director of Athletics, Jim Miller, who ran the women’s development program for eight years before moving into his current role in 2009. “We’ve had one goal with our women’s development efforts and that has been to win world titles and Olympic medals. Under the direction of Manel and Management Cycling Prof, that goal is the same. We want to be nothing less than the best national team in the world.”

Article originally published on www.usacycling.org