NEWS! ROANOKE, Virginia — May 29, 2023 — Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 pro cycling team traveled to Fayetteville, AR for the four-day Joe Martin Stage Race May 18-21. The team earned podiums in every stage including the top step on the final day, along with the overall Team General Classification win. 

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“Although we have won Joe Martin as a team in past years, I had never been to the event,” said Nicola Cranmer, general manager, Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24. “I was really impressed with the Fayetteville courses and logistics. Bruce Dunn and his team have created something special with this race."

“Joe Martin was a very high energy and exciting race. Every minute was meaningful and impactful. In this race I learned how important it was to choose your cards and play them with all your ability. Each race I understand my teammates better and what to expect from them, also i continue to learn how I can help them better.   All these details are what makes teamwork bring us to win.” Commented Emily Ehrlich. 

NEWS! ROANOKE, Virginia —  May 2, 2023 - Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 traveled to southern New Mexico for the 36th edition of the Tour of the Gila, April 26-30. The five stages over five days feature some of the toughest climbing in North America, coupled with the first really warm temperatures of the race season. The UCI Women’s field welcomed 63 athletes and 12 teams over the course of the week’s racing, and impeccable teamwork by VBR TWENTY24 led to the top step three out of five days.

“The Tour of the Gila is one of three big stage races in the United States this season, and I am confident we had the right team put together for the challenges the riders would face,” said Nicola Cranmer, General Manager, Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24. “I couldn’t be more proud of how our riders performed, and taking three of the five stage wins was a tremendous accomplishment.”

NEWS! ROANOKE, Virginia — April 19, 2023 - Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 pro cycling team could not have written a better outcome for the 37th edition of the Redlands Bicycle Classic, presented by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. After five stages, Emily Ehrlich stood atop the GC podium in the yellow jersey, with teammates Melisa Rollins in third, Laurel Quinones in fourth, and the VBR TWENTY24 squad brought home the Team GC overall win.

“Redlands was a real test to see what we could do as a team,” said Emily Ehrlich, 2023 Redlands Bicycle Classic GC Winner. “It was our biggest and most challenging race as a team so far. We set out with the expectations of learning to work as a team, communicate, and understand each other. Everybody performed exceptionally. We worked off of each other's strengths, communicated concisely, worked for each other, dedicated and made sacrifices for each other. In the end our result was the culmination of excellent teamwork.”

NEWS!  Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24  Emily Ehrlich wins stage 3 Individual Time Trial at Redlands Classic with teammates Melisa Rollins and Laurel Quinones in 2nd and 3rd. 

“The win was very significant to me. It was proof of what is capable with the right team. It took every little detail to make it happen. Thanks to our amazing support staff, coaching, equipment, and with a group of motivated and inspiring ladies and my own meticulous analysis of the race, we were able to win today.“  Emily Ehrlich 

"To be honest, the podium sweep was a team goal. We knew it was possible. There is so much tangibility in time trialing and we love that. Kristin Armstrong and Emma White have both been working hard on bringing the athletes to efficientcy in these time trial efforts and it showed today. It’s only the beginning for these talented newcomers.” Nicola Cranmer, General Manager

NEWS!  Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 Marlies Mejias Garcia (CUB) wins the opening stage of Redlands Bicycle Classic supported by the team of Melisa Rollins, Emily Ehrlich, Laurel Quinones, Sofia Arreola, Cailegh Filmer and Nicole Steinmetz. The Cuban out-paced Alia Shafi (Fount Cycling) and Marcela Prieto (Pato Bike) in the uphill sprint. 

The victory gives Mejías Garcia the first leader's jersey of the race.

"It's my first time wearing a leader's jersey for a stage race, I've done some stage races years ago but only to prepare for the track events, so having the jersey feels good, we've trained a lot to at least start In this way, this race, great teamwork is essential, each one contributes to achieve the final result, the technical director is great, he values each point of view of each athlete and that is important in a team race, and it feels great to win because only people close to you know what we've been through to get there!"

NEWS!  Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 win GC and two stages at Valley of the Sun Stage Race. The squad was directed by Shelley Olds. "It's always inspiring to win the first race of the year, especially a stage race.  But the team didn't just win the overall, they won 2 stages and were 1st and 2nd in GC on the final day. This group of women is one of the strongest, most competitive and professional groups I have ever worked with.  As the Race Director for Valley of the Sun Stage Race in Arizona, I had a dream team to direct. The core group of riders have grown from their experiences together last year and they were able to incorporate and teach the new riders that we have on out on the road.  The team is strong already, but we will only get stronger over the next couple of months.  I can't wait to see what they do in the next race!!" - Shelley Olds

“Valley of the Sun Stage Race was the perfect opener to the race season for me for many reasons. Working with new and old teammates to build trust and confidence in a variety of races that tests our fitness and teamwork in every way imaginable is a unique opportunity that VOS provides. The time trial is quickly becoming my favorite racing style thanks to the importance of being able to perform for VOS and it has inspired me to focus on time trialling in my training.”  

NEWS!  Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 is announcing its transition back to a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) team. The team has a roster representing dynamic and diverse professionals in road, track, mountain biking, gravel, ultra, eSports, and para-cycling. Since its inception 18 years ago, VBR TWENTY24 athletes have earned 14 Olympic and Paralympic medals. The team is home to the only integrated junior mentorship program of its kind, developing young cyclists into internationally competitive athletes. 

“TWENTY24 is a cornerstone program of American cycling. The team does heroic work in identifying future international caliber riding talent, providing them with unique development opportunities, and supporting them as they contend for World titles and Olympic medals,” said Brendon Quirk, CEO & President of USA Cycling. “Our belief at USA Cycling that the US National Women’s Team will soon return to the #1 ranking in the world, and it’s due in no small part to the tireless effort of Nicola Cranmer and her team. We couldn’t be happier about the team’s return to the UCI ranks, and we look forward to many more years of productive partnership together.”  

NEWS!  Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 is the only professional team with an integrated junior program. Offering junior athletes access to mentors and role models. We have successfully developed junior athletes and connected them with colleges as they graduate from high school. The priority for our program is always academics, encouraging our athletes to obtain the best education possible for life after cycling.

The team operates under a registered non-profit 501c3 Tam Cycling. Your contribution goes directly to the junior program for operations, providing support staff at key events, coaching and equipment. 

Payable to Tam Cycling (501c3) Click DONATE HERE button below. 

Thank you for your contribution.

NEWS!  Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 Jennifer Valente in the lead after Round One of the  UCI Track Champions League where the world’s best track cyclists battled for glory in Round 1 of the new season at the Velodrom Illes Balears, Mallorca. Thousands of fans inside the velodrome and watching on TV were treated to an audiovisual extravaganza of high speed, high adrenalin racing – and the gloves were off.

 

“I’m feeling good heading into Round 2 in Berlin. The UCI Track Champions League is a long competition but I’ll try and keep my consistency rolling. To be in the leader’s jersey without winning any of the races in Mallorca was a little unexpected, but it’s certainly a good start and I hope to ride well again this weekend.”

Round 2 takes place Saturday 19 November, 19:00 CET, Berlin / Berlin Velodrom, Germany. The event can be watched on Global Cycling Network in USA and Eurosport. 

NEWS!  Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 Jennifer Valente made her mark on the cycling world on Friday, winning her first individual elite world title at the 2022 UCI Track World Championships, and became one of the few riders to claim both World Champion and Olympic Champion concurrently. When asked about winning this event and at the Tokyo Games, Valente said, “Winning this event was certainly a goal, well before the Olympics. I achieved the Olympic dream before this one, but this really had been on the forefront of my mind for a long time. I’m really pleased with this win.” 

 “It definitely means a lot. The team gold medal is special in a completely different way. Every team world title that I’ve won has been with a really special group of people. But this is just a completely different experience.”

NEWS! “The Parcours Picker was one of the races I was looking forward to.  The Innsbruck Time Trial seemed like a perfect choice for me and with the most points on the line for the team I was up for the challenge!” Commented Kristen Kulchinsky. “My Pre-race reconnaissance with my coach and the DS Josh, determined a good pacing plan.  I felt great throughout the race, I was in the zone and slightly possessed!  I went for the ‘fastest through segment’ and was happy to pick up the additional 2 points for the team! Completely emptied my tank and left it all out there!”

NEWS! The squad assembled for the WTRL Zwift Racing League team time trial. Makuri Islands was the setting for the TT effort on the Wandering Flats course. 25.2km / 15.7mi. 

It was an epic effort by team leader and most experienced Zwift time trials,  Kristen Kulchinsky did the lions share of the work. Again another learning experience by the new squad, pacing and draft tactics are key. Also great communication is critical, it was an excellent effort from everyone! 

Up next is a 30 mile points race on the Champs Elysees course. 

NEWS! The dynamic duo of Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24 Marlies Mejias and Sofia Arreola accomplished a teams worth of wins and podiums in St. Louis this past weekend! 

The racing was fun and fast, the crowds were enthusiastic and the hosts were outstanding! Thank you Heater family for welcoming us in to your home!

With the assistance of Sofia, Marlies won 3 of the 4 races and a 2nd in the other taking the overall series win.   

NEWS!  'It was our first time racing Gateway Cup, it was a great atmosphere and very well organized with a very high level of competition. 

My favorite circuit was The Hill because of the fans and the history of the race! The rain made it extra challenging the whole weekend but we were able to come together even more as a team and achieve great things together. The race was even more special as my Dad Rolando was there!"  - Sofia Arreola 

NEWS! Intelligentsia Cup was another new experience for the Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24 Team . Marlies Mejias won the event in 2017 with her South American team. This was the goal again - win the overall and earn as much money as possible with two athletes!  

The campaign opened up with a win from Sofia, as the week went on Marlies came into form taking 4 wins and 3 second places and the overall and none of this would be possible without her extraordinary teammate Sofia Arreola.

NEWS!  "Day 1 of Intelligentsiaa Cup was a good day, our mighty team of 2 was on 🔥 Marlies and I won lots of primes and with the help of Marlies I got in the break to snag the WIN!  

We are now in the leaders jersey 🏆 Big shoutout to William, Rafael and Nicola for making this last minute trip possible!!"  

NEWS! "This Nationals has been such a great experience! From racing to meeting my team, I’ve had so much fun! In the Time Trial, I raced as hard as I could and came in 2nd. A good start to the week! My race was at 4:30 pm so I was waiting in the hotel, hydrating, eating, and playing Mario Kart. It was a super hot day.  

Once the race started, one of my competitors attacked and I quickly followed. Coming into the final corner, I remember Shelly telling me to go early. I did the longest sprint I have done in a long time and held off my competitor by half a wheel. I was super excited because it was the first national championship I have ever won! - Aine Chen 13-14 National Road Champion

NEWS!  "I was so excited when USA Cycling announced that it would take place in Roanoke, Virginia. The Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful and spectacular! This year's criterium in Downtown Roanoke was the most technical and most fun nationals course I have ever raced. The Criterium win was huge for me and my top goal to achieve in cycling to date. I can't state how much I appreciate my amazing teammates. I couldn't have won that race without each one of my teammates incredible efforts during the race. I am beyond happy to be able to say that I am your 2022 15/16 girls National Criterium Champion and I can't wait to come back and race next year." - Dahlia Kissel 15-16 National Criterium Champion

NEWS! Congratulations Jennifer Valente on securing Omnium GOLD at the recent UCI Track Nations Cup in Cali, Colombia

NEWS! Congratulations Jennifer Valente and Colleen Gulick for Madison GOLD a first for USA. 

NEWS! "I had raced Tour of America's Dairyland several years ago and it was fun to be back. We came together as a team very quickly and tried new tactics each day and it was great to be with athletes that. really supported each others goals. We have raced against each other as nations but we built a lot of camaraderie over the 10 days of racing and i am looking forward to racing with these women again." - Marlies Mejias (CUB)

NEWS! "I loved that all the crits were a bit different and that we got to check out many of Wisconsin’s small towns! With 10 days of racing it was a good opportunity to try new tactics. We were able to learn from one another and come together as a team throughout the week. We learned each other’s strengths, weaknesses, stood on several podiums and grabbed many primes along the way!" - Sofia Arreola (MEX) 

NEWS! This 11-days of racing meanders through the lush southeast Wisconsin dairyland.

The KwikTrip Tour of America’s Dairyland launched in 2009 by several Milwaukee-area cycling enthusiasts, among them Billy Ochowicz and Tom Schuler and remains America's longest stage event on the calendar.  

We fielded an international roster led by Olympic Champion Jennifer Valente (USA) and  included Marlies Mejias (CUBA), Sofia Arreola (Mexico) and for five races Melisa Rollins (USA) 

NEWS! Our goal was not the overall omnium as we were only staying for 9 of the 11 races, we ended up staying for 10 as it was so much fun!  Stage wins, collect as much cash as possible and win the mid race sprint jersey. The athletes scooped up literally thousands of dollars of primes and prize money while exploring America's dairyland. For our three world class track racers and one mountain biker it was a perfect opportunity to hone in criterium skills throughout the week. 

NEWS! "I am so grateful and blessed that I had the opportunity to race the iconic Unbound Gravel Race. It was amazing to race with our Twenty24 teammates! The race came down to a sprint, and I was happy to come away with the win." - Alexa Jaramillo 

"Great seeing teammates at Unbound Gravel! It was my first time attending this race and it did not disappoint as it was a lot of fun." - Makala Jaramillo 

"Unbound 2022 did not disappoint, the race itself was short and sweet but the real highlight of this weekend was to see some of our amazing sponsors who support us every day. Another highlight was watching Melisa finish her first 200-mile unbound and watching Charlotte finish her first 100-mile unbound!" - Weigel Twins 

NEWS!  "Unbound Gravel was an adventure — my longest day ever on a bike. While I have done a few ultra-marathons in the 12+ hr. range, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, especially in a race this big, with this many top-level athletes.

I positioned myself well toward the front of the pack in the opening miles, but as the pace started to accelerate around the 40-minute mark, another rider clipped my bars and sent me onto the ground. I gathered myself and my bike, narrowly avoiding getting hit again as the rest of the racers hurled toward me. As I started pedaling, I noticed both the straps on my shoe had broken off where I had slid across the dirt, leaving my shoe loosely attached like a slipper to my foot. This was going to be a long day.

NEWS! La Grange, GA hosted the 3rd race of Speed Week. An early break established with 2 L39ion and 2 Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24 athletes and the game of cat and mouse ensued! With Valente taking the top step. 

NEWS! This is the first time the team has competed in Speed Week. Every day is a new opportunity to build on. There are  seven races this week and so far the small but mighty squad continues to improve. 

NEWS! With a tremendous leadout from Jennifer Valente, Emily finished 2nd on the Spatenburg opening race at Speed Week. Sofia and Ariane did a great job of positioning the leader throughout the race. Not bad for a first time racing together! 

NEWS! Each race is an opportunity to brush up on crit skills! Today was one of the more technical courses and super fun! 3rd today for Emily. Thanks to Shelley, Gary and Maria for a smooth day on and off the bike. 

NEWS! Post a medal winning Olympics its time to mix things up and have some adventurous fun for Jennifer Valente! That might include some gravel, road, track and criterium  racing plus some hiking in the mountains of France! Boulder Roubaix is a dirt-road race that celebrated its 30th anniversary this past Saturday, and a number of high-profile athletes came out to race with about 1,000 locals. 

NEWS!  Sea Otter Classic hosted the season opener of the Life Time GP. Life Time Grand Prix is the newest off-road cycling series produced by the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand, Life Time. Watch as the best cyclists in the country compete across six iconic races on varying terrain for a $250,000 prize purse, split evenly between men and women.

NEWS!  "It takes a lot of smarts, aggression, confidence and trust to make a plan work perfectly in a criterium. This time it worked. I gave everything I could to fight for position and execute the plan. 

NEWS!  Rukhsar Habibzai’s journey to Roanoke started on a bicycle in Kabul and ended in an airport terminal.

NEWS!  "My first Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty24 team camp was an unforgettable one. Before this year, I never had the opportunity to be a part of a team. The VBR Twenty24 ladies, old and new, accepted me with open arms making me feel at home and deserving of my spot on the team. 

Valente wins her first Olympic GOLD medal in the women's omnium in Tokyo. Jennifer joined the TWENTY24 program late 2011 in her final junior year. A decade later she wins her first Olympic gold medal. 

Photo: Getty Images