I saw this fundraiser to help Brianna Walle get to the Giro Rosa, on Jenn Levo’s tumblr. This drives me crazy - Walle has been given a place to race for Team USA at the Giro Rosa - the women’s Grand Tour, by far the biggest stage race the women’s peloton has - but only if she can raise $1,500 to cover her travel and insurance expenses.
Now, I do understand that travelling from the USA to Europe is expensive - but if USA Cycling is prepared to enter the race, they should want the best riders there, regardless of if they have the money to travel or not. It absolutely shouldn’t be that only riders with the cash can race, because that’s ultimately prioritising financial background over racing skills. They’ll be the only national team in the race - but what does that matter, if it’s not the best riders, but those who can afford it?
It’s also worth reminding people that when Team Australia brings riders over, they’re paid for, as a reward for their skills - and that’s a LOT more expensive than a trip from the States!
BUT! As dimspace said on twitter, the good thing is, she’s raised nearly all the money in less than 24 hours, and only has $200 to go - can you help her reach that target? She’s a great rider - a first-year pro ho’s been working hard for Optum-Kelly Benefits all season, and just this week was third in the Nature Valley ITT, despite having a mechanical problem that left her in the little ring for half the race. Read about that on Velonews! And find out more about her on her website and twitter - and here’s hoping we’ll be reading all about her adventures in Italy very soon!
What is awesome though, is that you can help her reach her goal.I am a professional woman cyclist, and if you know much about women’s cycling, you know that funding is a constant struggle for us. Sponsors are hard to find, and very few women ever earn enough to support themselves in the sport without a second job. I have recently been offered a spot on the US…
Completely ridiculous that a Team USA rider has to crowdsource to race for her country. But, if you can help, please do
“
I had bad crashes and I had broken bones and I had to finish a season early once before but this one was the worst because it took away my normal life. That’s the thing, I can’t even sit at a desk and look at a computer for very long. Last weekend I had to go to a wedding in San Francisco from San Luis Obispo and I was worried about making a 3-and-a-half hour drive.
There comes a point where you just want to have your normal life back… I mean, fuck cycling or being an athlete. You just want to be able to go to the coffee shop and talk to people and have other people talking around you without getting a headache and having to leave. Sure, riding is important in my life but at the end I just want to have my normal life back.
I also always have to remember that something could have happened to my neck, so I’m pretty lucky that this is the extent of it.
” —Really raw interview with Ina-Yoko Teutenberg about her crash - it really shows how hard it is recovering from head injuries, and how important it is to have a team that cares
[video]
[video]
[video]
“Cycling is such a humbling sport, because even when you think you’ve got the knack of it, you are thrown another curve ball and faced with a choice: use the curve ball as an opportunity to learn and grow, or to let it get you down. I learned last week racing in the Basque country that abandoning can be even harder than pushing through the pain, but knowing when to quit is a lesson every athlete has to learn. It’s important to listen to your gut and trust your instincts!” — Emakumeen Bira Tour 2013: Knowing When To Quit Ashleigh Moolman Pasio
Evelyn Stevens wins Giro del Trentino 2013! via Weekend Success in Italy and USA | Team Specialized-lululemon | Velocio Sports
1. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Specialized-lululemon, 6:04:22
2. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Cipollini-Giordana, + 00:46
3. Tatiana Antoshina (Rus) Cipollini-Giordana, + 01:15
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Hitec Products UCK, + 01:30
5. Georgia Williams (NZl) BePink, + 01:40
6. Emma Johansson (Swe) ORICA-AIS, + 01:47
7. Shara Gillow (Aus) ORICA-AIS, + 01:49
8. Svetlana Stolbova (Rus) Pratomagno Women, + 02:07
9. Jessie Daams (Bel) Boels Dolmans, + 02:22
10. Rossella Ratto (Ita) Hitec Products UCK, + 02:31
[video]
Emma Johansson’s painface, winning the uphill sprint for second ahead of Rossella Ratto, on Stage 2 of the 2013 Giro del Trentino
via ORICA GreenEDGE Cycling Australia : News : Shara Gillow Solos to Victory in Sarnonico
Lisa Brennauer and Trixi Worrack controlling the pack
Shara Gillow wins the final Stage of the 2013 Giro Trentino - via ORICA GreenEDGE Cycling Australia : News : Shara Gillow Solos to Victory in Sarnonico
Click through for race report and photos
Stage 2 results
1. Shara Gillow (Aus) ORICA-AIS, 3:17:27
2. Emma Johansson (Swe) ORICA-AIS, + 01:05
3. Rossella Ratto (Ita) Hitec Products UCK, s.t.
Shara Gillow rides solo for the win - Giro Trentino 2013, Stage 2 - via ORICA GreenEDGE Cycling Australia : News : Shara Gillow Solos to Victory in Sarnonico
Click through for race report and photos
[video]
Rachel Atherton on the podium, 2013 Val di Sole downhill World Cup - via Projecto Athertoni - Val Di Sole World Cup Finals - Pinkbike
1. Rachel Atherton (GBr) GT Factory Racing, 0:03:43.810
2. Emmeline Ragot (Fra) Lapierre Gravity Republic, + 00:05.235
3. Floriane Pugin (Fra) Gstaad-Scott, + 00:12.053
4. Morgane Carre (Fra) MS Mondrker, + 00:14.233
5. Myriam Nicole (Fra) Commençal/Riding Addiction, + 00:15.495
6. Casey Brown (Can) Dirt Norco Racing Team, + 00:16.060
7. Manon Carpenter (GBr) Madison Saracen, + 00:18.355
8. Emilie Siegenthaler (Sui) Gstaad-Scott, + 00:20.180
9. Zarja Cernilogar (Slo) Blackthorn GT, + 00:21.090
10. Micayla Gatto (Can) + 00:24.639
For more photos of the 2013 Val di Sole Downhill World Cup, click through to Pinkbike