In a new twist in the pro women’s race, the winner of the Mt Hood Time Trial did not take over the general classification at the Mt Hood Cycling Classic.

As in previous years, Leah Goldstein (ValueAct) put in the best time, stopping the clock at 43:01 with an average speed of 24.83 mph (39.95 kmph). Best Young Rider Julie Beveridge (Aaron’s) crossed the line with a time slower by seven seconds and Jeannie Longo (River City Racing) was eighteen seconds back.

“It’s one of my favorite time trials, I came a few days early and I actually rode that course a few times just to know the corners and the wind not so bad like it was last year. I’m not such a daredevil, I don’t take chances, I don’t go into bars on corners and stuff, just because the stability on the bike because of the calm conditions just made me more confident to be more aero and tucked. I felt good from the beginning, when I woke up this morning I felt pretty good, I had a good feeling about the ride today.” said Goldstein.

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The ValueAct Capital Professional Women’s Cycling Team came to Mt Hood Cycling Classic with the aim of getting rider Leah Goldstein on the top step of the podium for the fourth-time. In a row.

Last year, while riding for the Symmetrics team, Goldstein along with one and only one teammate Marni Hambleton, took the yellow jersey on the fourth stage, the time trial and successfully defended against onslaught of attacks, especially from the Aaron’s Women Pro Cycling Team. Ironically, Goldstein took the yellow jersey from the ValueAct team.

Leah Goldstein (ValueAct) powering through the Mt Hood prologue, photo c. Lyne Lamoureux

Goldstein and Hambleton joined ValueAct in 2008, and with a full squad of 6 riders, the team is ready to go to work a Hood. Joining Goldstein and Hambleton are Lara Kroepsch, Emily Zell, Martina Patella and Sharon Allpress.

I caught up with the team prior to the start of the prologue to get their thoughts on the upcoming race.

“Last year we were really in the yellow jersey for 3 of the 5 stages with Katie [Mactier]. Last year, we were a first year team, a young team and we learned a lot, we made mistakes, I think this race is going to be an opportunity for us to show that we’ve learned from those mistakes and that we’ve learned to control a race more effectively.” said Patella about the lessons learned from last year.

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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

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.