Former national champions behind new domestic women’s team
Some of America’s winningest racers of the past have come together to build a team for future champions. Portland Sports Group announced today that it’s breathing new life into the Happy Tooth Dental Professional Racing program. With a ‘stronger together’ approach, the new program brings together resources and riders…
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Some of America’s winningest racers of the past have come together to build a team for future champions. Portland Sports Group announced today that it’s breathing new life into the Happy Tooth Dental Professional Racing program.
With a ‘stronger together’ approach, the new program brings together resources and riders from the 2015 Pepper Palace Pro Cycling and BMW Happy Tooth UCI women’s teams to provide an opportunity for the riders to continue their pro racing careers.
The team is led by Tina Pic, who at 50 has seen a successful career in which she became a six-time American national criterium champion, five-time National Road Circuit champion, two-time Pan-American road race Champion and six-time World Championship team member. And she isn’t done yet!
Pic is joined by experienced riders such a 2011 New Zealand road champion Courtney Lowe, Christina Gokey-Smith, Laura Jorgensen and Jannalyn Luttrell. Joining the team to learn from their experienced teammates are up-and-coming riders Ashlyn Woods and Monica Volk.
Former American road race champion Robin Farina (pictured far left in feature photo) will make her debut as Director Sportif.
“After a long and satisfying road career, I am excited to change gears and direct a dynamic team of women that want to excel on the road and in their professional cycling careers,” said Farina. “There is no better time than now for me to be involved in women’s cycling and help grow our sport to a more professional level. I am thrilled about what 2016 will have in store for our new team.”
With an emphasis on rider development, the team will provide unique guest riding opportunities for amateur riders from the Pacific Northwest through the Portland Bicycle Studio women’s development program.
Continuing Blue’s 12-year-history of supporting professional women’s racing, the team will race Blue Bicycles Axino road model and custom-designed time trial bicycles.
The team officially begins the racing season in April at the Redlands Bicycle Classic before heading East to the USA Cycling Criterium national championships followed by team camp and media presentation in Chapel Hill, NC.