This year’s race marked the 10-year anniversary for the Carrera de San Rafael, a criterium bicycle race circling an eight-block radius in downtown San Rafael, California. Racing began in the afternoon with amateur categories and continued until the pros battled it out as the sun went down.

Proman dominated the race early on.

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There was no telling who would hold onto the yellow jersey as the professional women cyclists approached the starting line of the 2008 Redlands Bicycle Classic famous Sunset Road Race starting line. Pure determination was present on every face as the riders started the selective 68-mile course, with circuits in the Sunset Drive hills.

For most of the race, two were in front of the field of 20 riders. As they hammered it out through the downtown Redlands finish, Alex Wrubleski of Webcor Builders charged, drilling across the line first, and not only winning today’s stage race, but narrowly beating Mara Abbott of High Road for the overall 2008 Redlands Bicycle Classic win, by a slim one second margin. Leigh Hobson of Cheerwine and Kim Anderson of High Road were second and third for today’s stage race, respectively.

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Stage Two 1.2 mile downtown Redlands criterium race, sponsored by 1st Centennial Bank/KWB Wealth Managers, brought numerous attacks and a bunch sprint finish. 19-year-old Swedish star Emilia Fahlin from Team High Road sprinted across the finish line and took the biggest win of her young career. Alex Wrubleski, from Webcor Builders, and Brenda Lyons, from Advil/Chapstick rounding out the top three. Mara Abbott, from High Road continued her lead in overall points.

“This course has a lot of corners and fast laps, which I like,” said Fahlin, who is a first time Redlands Bicycle Classic participant. “Everyone talks about this race. It’s a big goal for the team.” Fahlin fought her way to the end, knowing she was to protect the lead of Mara Abbott and take time bonus seconds away from the opposing GC riders. “After I took off seconds for the first bonus I was a little tired, so I had to push it.” Fahlin took the time bonus sprint at the half way mark and then again at the finish.

“The race went according to plan,” continued Fahlin. “Since we only had four riders, it was perfect to have other teams do the work. Hopefully they will be tired tomorrow. With two laps to go Cheerwine and Webcor started to pull hard. I think the last lap was all Cheerwine but I saw that they were starting to get tired in the last decent before the last two corners. With the two corners to go I saw a rider come out and I just jumped on her wheel and came out around her in the last corner. It was really fun!”

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After battling it out with her breakaway companions, Katherine Carroll, from Aaron’s sprinted to a big win in Stage One. Former Canadian national champion, Alex Wrubleski, from Webcor Builders followed with second; and Leigh Hobson, from Cheerwine grabbed third. Mara Abbott, from High Road, just a few seconds behind in a group that bridged to the breakaway kept the yellow jersey, coming off of her win at Thursday’s Prologue race.

The pro women cyclists lined up to complete 4 laps of 17.5 miles in the 2008 Redlands Bicycle Classic Stage One Circuit race in Beaumont, Calif.
This year’s course required a different strategy from the former Oak Glen Stage One race. The 17.5 mile course took the riders through Beaumont’s rolling hills, bordered by open fields. Bogart Park provided a grueling hill that threw some of the hardest obstacles. After the steep climb, the wind to be difficult for the riders.

Some found the challenging course inviting. “I thought the course was fantastic,” said Hobson. “It was definitely a challenge with the climb, but it wasn’t as selective as a mountain top finish. Teams could race more aggressively.”

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Building on a successful first season, ValueAct Capital Professional Women’s Cycling Team is adding talent and experience to their roster. Nicole Evans, Leah Goldstein, Marni Hambleton, Lara Kroepsch and Chrissy Ruiter have joined the squad. ValueAct Capital will definitely be in contention this season for wins in the major stage races as well as the criteriums.

“Our team goal is to be one of the top three teams in the NRC,” states Lisa Hunt, the returning Team Director. “We really have an extremely well rounded and balanced team. We have climbers, we have overall riders, we have sprinters…..we have strong stage racers. We are going to be able to do basically every NRC race.”

New riders:

Nicole Evans rode for TEAm Lipton in 2007. She won both the 2006 High Uintas Classic and the Elkhorn Classic stage races. Evans was also 3rd place on GC at the 2007 Valley of the Sun Stage Race. Nicole’s strengths are in climbing and all-around riding.

Leah Goldstein is a three-time winner of Mt. Hood Cycling Classic. “We are targeting some of the key stage races…like Mt. Hood,” commented Hunt. “We plan to defend that title. Leah is our climber and our stage racer.”Goldstein is currently the Israeli national road race and time trial champion; she resides in Canada, where she trains in the mountains.

In 2007, Marni Hambleton joined the VAC team as a guest rider for Nature Valley, Altoona and Bermuda. Hambleton raced for the Symmetrics Women’s Professional team for the past 3 years, and was the silver medalist at the Canadian National Road Race in 2007.

Lara Kroepsch also comes to the VAC from TEAm Lipton. A talented criterium rider, Kroepsch has two collegiate national championships, along with top podium finishes at some of the NRC criteriums. She rode with T-Mobile prior to TEAm Lipton.“After racing professionally for many years you get adjusted to switching teams,” stated Kroepsch.

“It’s tough in the sport. I think women tend to form closer relationships with their teammates than men do. The good thing is….I have been riding a long time and I know these riders. It really is a small family out there competing. When you are selecting a team…it’s about the people you are riding with…the management…the riders…it’s everything. We become a family. We don’t get paid the big bucks so it has to be enjoyable. For me I made a conscience decision to join this team. I wanted to be riding with Lisa. I think riding for her will be very cool. I am very happy with being here.”

Chrissy Ruiter rode for Cheerwine in 2007. She was on the podium at the 2007 Athens Criterium and the Tri-Peaks Challenge. Her talent has earned her a spot on the US National Team for 2008, where she’ll be spending time in Europe with several other top US riders.

Returning Riders:

Sharon Allpress love for bike racing developed while she was sent on a UN peace-keeping mission to the East African country of Eritrea, a former Italian colony where cycling is the national sport. “My focus is on the stage races….to be helpful in climbing hills,” stated Allpress. “I love the stage races and the long endurance events. I love to them tactically because you have to be patient…..to let the race play out…..to read what is going on. I want to ride in support of my team….to get us the best possible finishes…to get us on the podium. I know we can do it.”

Hannah Banks is a promising young Australian with several national titles to her name. She spent 2006 racing with the Australian Institute of Sport National Team, which was based in Italy for the 2006 season and raced in the Women’s Giro di Italia and the Tour de l’Aude.

Courtenay Brown returns to the VAC team in 2008, but with a focus on multi-sport events. Last year, Courtenay transitioned to triathlons, and won her first two triathlons, including the Silverman.

Katie Mactier has two gold medals in the Individual Pursuit at the Sydney and Beijing World Cup Track events. “It’s a big year for me,” shared Mactier. “I have the Olympics coming up. I am preparing for the 3000m pursuit. I was really lucky last year as I had the opportunity to ride with VAC. They are a terrific group of girls. This year the program’s even bigger….and it’s a very important, key part of my preparation for August. We have some fantastic races lined up. Everybody here brings a unique element to the team dynamics. I am sure we are going to get a lot of great results. We also just enjoy each other’s company. We learn from each other….we share our different experiences. Everything I do this year is in preparation for August.”

“We are not curing cancer here. We are racing our bikes. We have been given an incredible opportunity…one that many would love. We have a team policy of, “No tears and lots of laughing.” We are very honest girls and give each other lots of encouragement. The girls here come from amazing backgrounds. They really are amazing. We sat around the other night and just shared tales…I feel very honored to be a part of this great team. Cycling is something we all share in common. Of course when we put our numbers on we are there to win but…..leading up to the race we want to have a good time.”

In 2007, Martina Patella finished on the podium at the Bermuda Grand Prix. “My personal goals are very vested in this team,” stated Patella. “When the team succeeds then I feel I have succeeded. We are going after the NRC title….and to keep establishing ourselves as a heavy hitting professional team….a team that can race their bikes and that are classy cyclists. I would love to see us as one of the top 3 teams in the country. I really believe we are capable of this….and that we have the chemistry to do it. We really work hard together. There are a lot of points available at stage races and we have great stage racers. In terms of personal goals, I would love to win a NRC race. I have been on the podium but I would love to get a win.”

Taitt Sato has been racing in Northern California since 2001. She enjoys hilly criteriums and flat road races. Before turning to cycling full time, her prior career was practicing transactional law. “This is my second year,” said Sato. “My goal for 2008 is to see how we can take this team to the next level….to make our presence known on the national arena. I am really focusing on riding in support of my team but also my have the opportunity to get my own name out there. I am really looking forward to seeing what we can do.

“Last year, we had a young, spirited team that really proved they had the ability to succeed. Katie Mactier’s wealth of experience really contributed to making this team ge,l” commented Hunt. “I wanted to build on that momentum, by adding more top stage race and single day race talent. It’s a great group of riders!”

The team will be contesting a full NRC schedule for 2008. Next on the schedule is the Sequoia Cycling Classic in Central California. The town of Exeter will be the start of Saturday’s Yokohl Ranch Exeter Time Trial, a 40-kilometer out-and-back course with two significant climbs, and neighboring Visalia will host Sunday’s Visalia Criterium.

Other Sponsors:
Blue Competition Bicycles: www.rideblue.com
Columbia Sportswear: www.columbia.com
DeFeet: www.defeet.com
Fi’zi:k: www.fizik.it
Michelin: www.michelin.com
Pictura Graphics: www.picturagraphics.com
PowerBar: www.powerbar.com
Reynolds: www.reynoldscycling.com
Ritchey Design, Inc.: www.ritcheylogic.com
Rudy Project: www.rudyprojectusa.com
Time Sport: www.time-sport.com
TRP Brakes: www.trpbrakes.com
Voler: www.voler.com
For more information regarding the team, visit www.teamvalueactcapital.com

ValueAct Capitals Katie Mactier-Looking for a Big Year

Victor Hugo Pena comes to Rock Racing after years of riding for teams like, Vitalicio Seguros, U.S. Postal Service, Phonak, and Unibet. He was the first Columbian rider ever to wear the Maillot Jaune in the Tour de France, wearing the yellow jersey for three days in 2003. In 2000, he won stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia.

Photo by Ken Conley

Pena finished the 2008 Amgen Tour of California in a very respectable 12th place. We sat down with Pena to review the events surrounding Rock Racing in the Tour of California and discuss what’s next for the team.

How do you feel Rock Racing performed in the Tour of California?
I feel we did really well. We missed those guys (Tyler Hamilton, Santiago Botero, and Oscar Sevilla). With those guys we would have put on a big show because they were in really good condition. We had a good race and I am happy about my riding. I did have some problems with my time trial but am still happy with my racing. I was able to climb with the first group…the really hard climbs…I was right there with the climbers. (Pena finished 10th in Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California from Modesto to San Jose, California). This made me feel like I was back again. I was really ill last year. Now that I am healthy, I am feeling very good.

I believe in this dream…the dream that Michael Ball has about the new cycling…about the new movement in cycling. I believe that we need to show cycling to the world…to show the racing….to market the sport to the people. I believe in that. I hope to bring a lot of my experiences to this team.

Do you see your role on Rock Racing as a mentor?
I do see that as my role. I am happy to teach the new guys and even the staff, and the mechanics about being on a team. They really do not know how the cycling world works. I see the staff working hard and do what I tell them to do. It’s about teaching them how a cycling team works. It’s really nice to see. I see this team growing and growing. I really see this team becoming one of the premier teams in the world.

How do your personal goals work with Rock Racing?
We have the Tour de Georgia coming up and I am hoping we get an invitation because I want to ride in it. The Tour de Georgia has a team time trial. It would be nice if we could ride this. I am looking to not only ride this race but win this for my team. I can climb…my climbing will be even better for this race. We shall see but I feel good.

Will Hamilton, Botero, and Sevilla be on the Tour de Georgia team? Will they ride for Rock racing this year?
This is still a question mark. We need to know soon. This is difficult for me to understand…it’s frustrating. I don’t know anything about the official rules and I don’t understand how the UCI can say no to these riders. It’s more than affecting the team…it’s affecting our lives. It’s like these guys are being kicked…treated like they are criminals. They have families…they have wives and kids. They are good people. I can tell you that Santi (Botero) is well educated. He went to university and is very smart. These things matter. How these guys are being treated now is difficult for me to understand.

Michael (Ball) wants to talk to the race organizers to see if we can have the full team ride. This is what I want. I want everyone to be able to ride.

This new team is really good. This is another way to view cycling. It’s not only about the speed, about the fastest climber….it’s simply another way to view the race. We try to bring people to see the races….to make it exciting. We want to win races. I am very happy to be part of this team.

We first saw Anna Lang race in the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix last summer. She placed fifth behind a talented sprinting field. A few days later we caught up with Lang at the Women’s Road Criterium race during the Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic where she crushed the field in a hard sprint finish. Lang was a solo rider battling multi-rider teams from Webcor Builders, PROMAN/Paradigm and Cheerwine, which made her victory even more impressive. Although fairly new to the professional women’s road schedule, Anna Lang has impressed many.

Lang began her cycling career as an undergrad at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. “I was always athletic. It took collegiate racing to get into riding,” Lang stated. “My sophomore year, I wanted the discipline and the team atmosphere, I heard about the triathlon club. They had a coach and regular practice times. I did triathlons and it was just okay. It was pretty straight forward and actually kind of boring. Through the triathlon club I heard about the cycling club. They were just bad asses…very good. As a club team I was simply able to join. I did a mountain bike championship in San Diego. I did the B category downhill and won. I got down and thought, ‘This is so cool!’ I fell in love with it. A couple of months later the road season started. I got a road bike. I remember telling my friend that for the first time I can see doing this until the day I die.There was a love there immediately.”

After graduation, Anna began a new job and didn’t train or race very much. “I hadn’t really jumped the ranks from collegiate and was planning on driving around to race and then September 11th happened and I ended up staying home and got a great engineering job.”

She worked for two years as a structural design consultant at a leading engineering firm designing multi-million-dollar homes in the San Francisco Bay area. However, a trip to Mexico motivated her to go back to school to get an advanced degree. “On the engineering side…it wasn’t really fulfilling,” Lang commented. “I wanted to make a bigger contribution.”

“When I made the decision to go to grad school I found out that they had a track. People had always told me that I would be good at track. I tried it. First year of grad school was ridiculous so I rode twice a month on my road bike and did a handful of collegiate races. The track team was pretty solid. I finished school on June 16^th and I was at the track the next day. I trained and I loved it. At first I was training for pursuit. I was really good at time trialing at Cal Poly. Though I liked training for the pursuit my 500m time was dropping. I switched coach and have been training for sprints for three years now. He put me in the crit scene last year. He told me that he wanted to make me a better athlete first and then to make me a better racer. He wanted me to enter every and all races to get the experience. That’s why we did crits last year. It was a secondary thing to my track. It was done only to supplement my track racing. At my first crit….I got out there and thought I am either not going to finish the race or I am going to win….there really was no in between. If I am able to get to the line I will out sprint everyone in the field. Sure enough I jumped and sprinted.”

Lang further commented about her coach. “I’m well aware of Mark’s (Whitehead) controversial reputation, but that is simply not the person I know and worked closely with for two years. He is a deeply dedicated, talented, and passionate coach and individual. I have the utmost respect for his coaching ability and for what he accomplished as a racer in the 70’s and 80’s. Frankly, I wouldn’t be where I am without him. Mark saw my ability to sprint and to ride crits, and he fostered those talents. I believe it takes a unique personality to coach female athletes, particularly at the elite level, and he possesses that. Mark simply knows what it takes to make someone the best possible racer. An athlete sacrifices so much to achieve results; they put their heart and soul into it. You must trust your coach in order to reach your god-determined potential; that’s a heavy burden! But I wouldn’t invest that trust with anyone else in the U.S.; he is the best.”

Lang has continued to combine her track racing passion with her new road career. “I have seen a huge improvement by combining the two. A lot of track sprinters do not like the speed of the peloton. I think because I started road racing in college, I knew how to ride crits plus I am getting the speed training from track. Combining the two has been awesome. My coach has even been considering the points race now too. The level of fitness that I had last year was the best I ever had. I was still able to maintain my sprint and my 200m time was dropping. It was not taking away from sprints. There is often a black and white training mentality. I am somewhere in the middle and my coach has done a fantastic job of identifying the talent I have and nourishing it. I am somewhere in the middle and really do not want to be pigeon holed. Road has taken more of a forefront now. I’ll race a handful of track races in the summer but I will be getting into my road schedule. I am still training on the track. Track remains an integral part of my road racing and my sprint.”

With her road and track successes in 2007, Lang decided to test the waters of possibly joining a professional women’s road team. “I did send my resume to a lot of teams. I knew what I wanted and I knew I did not want to be pigeon holed. I know I have to pay my dues and I know I have a lot to earn but I also know that I can win races. I wanted to be at a place where I could be myself and where I was wanted I was so enchanted with the idea of going pro. I just knew what I wanted…I knew what I could do…I knew what I could do alone out on the peloton and I knew I could do it again and better. So it was not like I had to be on a team in order to make it. I wasn’t sold on that idea. I also wanted to maintain school and my schedule. I wanted to be with a team that work with me and my schedule.”

With a suggestion by a colleague, Lang decided to contact Aaron’s Professional Women’s Cycling Team. “Carmen (D’Aluisio) called me back. She said she had been looking for ways to contact me. She had her eye on me. We had a long talk and what convinced me was that she would allow me to be who I am. She was looking for a true sprinter. When Laura Van Gilder or Tina Pic is in the race, the peloton immediately starts racing for second place. I don’t have that problem. I am going to jump in and attack. I just see them as another competitor that I want to beat. I am ready now. The engineering side of me looks at it and I have seen these girls, I’ve seen their 500 and 200 times and I am a lot faster. If I can get to the line, deductively I should be able to beat them….that’s what I saw in my head. Maybe that’s been my source of confidence.”

As for her goals for 2008, Lang stated, “Number one….I am new to the team dynamic. There is lot I have to learn. I want a better understanding of how I am going to fit in but I really want to win races. I don’t want to step on toes but I do want to win races. There is so much firepower on this team. I think there are a lot of different ways we’ll be able to win races. What ever group I am in…I want to win.”

However, Lang’s passion for track is never far behind. “I had some good success on the track last summer. I beat Jenny Reed a couple of times and showing some good strength and speed. I had bad luck at the Track Nationals. I crashed pretty bad on the keirin. It shook me up. I went down hard and hit my head. I got back up and did the scratch race…which is the best thing I could have done. 2012 track in the Olympics is definitely something I am targeting.”

All photos copyright Stephanie Gutowski

Former Australian National Road Champion Katie Mactier has been in Sonoma County all week with the ValueAct Capital team for their training camp.

Katie will be participating in first edition of the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium presented by the Redwood Regional Breast Center. “I’m really looking forward to racing with the girls again in the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium. We have a very strong team; and I know the competition will be very good and we plan to go out there and win.” The Criterium will be held hours before the men’s Stage 1 finish in downtown Santa Rosa.

RBR caught up with this very talented rider at the ValueAct Capital training camp to talk about 2008.

What are your goals for 2008?

It’s a big year for me. I have the Olympics coming up. I am preparing for the 3000m pursuit. I was really lucky last year as I had the opportunity to ride with ValueAct. They are a terrific group of girls. This year the program’s even bigger….and it’s a very important, key part of my preparation for August. We have some fantastic races lined up. Everybody here brings a unique element to the team dynamics. I am sure we are going to get a lot of great results. We also just enjoy each others company. We learn from each other….we share our different experiences. Everything I do this year is in preparation for August.

That must mean you are riding in Manchester (World Track Championship)? (Note: Katie Mactier was the 2005 World Pursuit Champion)

That’s correct. I am at team training camp right now but I go back to Australia next week. I hook up with the Australian team and we will be preparing for Manchester. It’s just a massive year as there is a lot on my plate. The ValeAct team is very much a part of me obtaining my goals.

We see many road riders entering the track arena.

I actually did not find the track until 2003. I was a roadie and I got waylaid in Australia with visa complications. My coach and I then decided to have a go at the Track Nationals that basically opened up new experiences and opportunities for me. I certainly have not looked back. It’s been full steam ahead with my pursuit (racing)….but you can’t do it without the road. I thoroughly love the road. I really enjoy being part of a team. For me I can’t do one without the other….it does not work without each other.

Sounds like your plan is to keep this dual road/track path?

I make no secret that the track is my absolute pride and joy….and the 3000m individual pursuit is my absolute number one priority. I am going to get through this year…get through the Olympics. I would get very old and tired of the track if I was not able to mix it up with the road…which offers me the opportunity to enjoy the girls and to be part of a team. Going to terrific races only make me a better pursuit rider.

What races then are you focusing on for the road?

I am gonna take a couple of weeks after the Track Worlds just to get my road legs back. I’ll come back to America and getting ready for Gila and Mt. Hood. We now have the Mt Hood reigning champion. In terms of my victory…it really isn’t about that for me. I am happy to be up front for my teammates. Provided that one of us gets on the podium..it’s a wn-win. Any race that I am in will always be a race to win…or help my team podium. One race that I have always enjoyed is Philly, It’s a lot of fun. I love America and I love the racing here. Last year was terrific. It was kinda like a dress rehearsal for this year.

We are not curing cancer here. We are racing our bikes. We have been given an incredible opportunity…one that many would love. We have a team policy of, “No tears and lots of laughing.” We are very honest girls and give each other lots of encouragement. The girls here come from amazing backgrounds. They really are amazing. We sat around the other night and just shared tales…I feel very honored to be a part of this great team. Cycling is something we all share in common. Of course when we put our numbers on we are there to win but…..leading up to the race we want to have a good time.

What in the road has helped you in the track?

The 3000m pursuit is an endurance event. You have to have the endurance base. History proved that this is the right recipe for me.

by Stephanie Gutowski & Lyne Lamoureux

Team Director Carmen D’Aluisio has brought back five key riders from the 2007 squad and added some strong young riders to bolster the 2008 team. The 2007 team was ranked third overall in the NRC for the year with two riders in the individual top five standings.

Returning to the team is Katharine Carroll—winner of the Athens Twilight Criterium, the Joe Martin Stage Race and the Sprint Jersey and final stage of the Tour Cycliste Feminin International de l’Ardeche. Also returning is Felicia Gomez, winner of the Queen of the Mountains Jersey and a Stage at the Mount Hood Stage Race and ranked fourth overall on the NRC standings. Division I Collegiate National Champion Rebecca Larson and winner of the Sprint Jersey at the Nature Valley Grand Prix, U.S. Masters National Time Trial Champion Kristin Sanders and Carmen McNellis round out the returning riders. Catherine Powers will also return to the team on a part-time basis while balancing her new teaching career.

New riders for 2008 include U23 U.S. Criterium National Champ Erica Allar, U23 Canadian Time Trial National Champion Julie Beveridge, Canadian standout Allison Testroete, cycling track star Anna Lang and former TEAm Lipton powerhouse Meredith Miller.

RoadBikeReview spent a windy and cold morning in Santa Cruz, California meeting this exciting 2008 Aaron’s Women Pro Cycling team.

Team Director, Carmen D’Aluisio -We have a very strong team this year. We are racing for the NRC. The goal of the team is to be on top this season. I think that the competition is going to be very tough . I am really looking forward to how this group will ride.

Erica Allar - A senior at Penn State University, Erica looks forward to graduation so she can put all of her energy into being a professional bike racer.

Julie Beveridge - I’m second year in university. We have such a strong team, we can win a lot of races, we can win crits, we can win hilly races. I just want to help out whoever is riding well that day. If Felicia and Allison are climbing well, Kristin or anyone, I want to get them where they need to be.

Katharine Carroll - When I came in last year, it was a new group, a lot of riders that had shown some potential that had never really proven themselves either in a leadership role, and I think we answered a lot of question about ability and strength last year. I think the goal for the team this year is to take it to the next level where… when you’re called on to do something, to do your job as a team member whether to be the sprinter at the end or the GC leader, that you just get it done and everybody else is in full support of that team goal.

Felicia Gomez - I’m super excited to be on the team again, I think we have a super strong team, we have young talent which I’m really excited about and the addition of Meredith Miller who has a lot of international experience. I think she can really lend a lot to our team as well. For me, in terms of team goals, I think we can contest the NRC , I think we can be…we finished third last year in our first real pro year and I think with the team we have that we can do better than that this year.

Anna Lang - I will continue to do both track and road…but road is very much in the forefront. I want to get into my road schedule. Track is still an integral part of my road racing and training. I wanted to be in a place where the team would work with my schedule. What convinced me was that I could be who I wanted to be here. Carmen said that she was looking for a true sprinter….someone who is not going to be afraid to go for the win. I am racing to win.

Rebecca Larson - For the team, it is to win the NRC which I think we have a good shot at. There are six of us that came back from last year so we had a year of racing together so that’s going to make a big difference. And the new girls are great I think we have a strong team and the fact that we’ve been having so much fun at camp I think it’s just going to keep building.

Carmen McNellis - I am on the National Team and plan on doing a full National schedule. I am not going to do that many races with Aaron’s…I’ll do Montreal Word Cup, which is an important race, Nationals, and Nature Valley. I’ll be spending most of time in Europe. My personal goal on the national team is to learn at every race. I am very new. My goal is to learn and get better at every race.

Meredith Miller -I have always been involved in team sports all my life. So for me, team will always come before my individual goal. Yes individually, I would like to go to the World Championships at the end of the year. If I win a couple of races along the way that’s great. But I am more concerned about the success of the team and whatever success we have making sure it has been a team effort. I guess my goal with this team is to make sure that we do come together as a team, I think there are so many opportunity, we have so much potential on this team that everybody is going to have an opportunity to do well. Whether it’s myself or someone else I just want to encourage every body to take that opportunity and go for it, and just make sure it’s been a team effort along the way.

Catherine Powers - I just want to support the team, I’m a domestique, I pretty much retired. I’m teaching in a bilinguial program in middle school in Boulder, so I’m just racing part time. I love my team and I couldn’t give it all the way up. I just want to support people, be a good domestique. If I end up in a break and get a good result that would be awesome but it’s all good.

Kristin Sanders - My main focus this year is the team. I really only have one personal goal and that’s to go to Nationals. I just want to race my bike for the best results for the best of my team. Whatever that is defined by the team…that will be my goal.

Alison Testroete - What I was really looking for is someone like Carmen who is really well organized, with direction and then a good team, somewhere I just fit in. I feel that if you’re really comfortable in your environment you’ll maximize your performance. And also to have role model in the team, someone I could really look up to that would really help me out.

Aaron’s Women’s Pro Cycling’s first race will be the Santa Rosa Women’s Grand Prix on February 18, 2008

Aaron’s Women’s Pro Cycling