Meet the Riders
2011 Team Roster
Click on a rider’s name to learn more!
Anna Barensfeld
Maureen Brooks
Luisa Bryce
Heidi Clayton
Spring Clegg
Melanie Meyers Colavito
Kim Cole
Cara Gillis
Kapri Gonzales
Leah Guloien
Mary Hall
Carrie Hansen
Judy Jenkins
Erin Lauterbach
Anna McLoon
Melissa McWhirter
Tracey Perez
Jenna Rinehart
Heather Sborz
Kristina Seley
Kimberly Truitt
Rachel Warner
Maggie Williams
Anna Barensfeld
Date of Birth: November 16, 1983
Residence: Wellesley, MA
Occupation: MBA Student
Category: Road – CAT 1, Cyclocross – CAT 1
Notable Results: 2010: 1st, Tour of the Battenkill; 1st, Sterling Classic Road Race; 1st, Killington Stage Race Stage 1 Circuit Race, 3rd, Stage 3 Road Race, 7th Final GC; 1st, Fayetteville Stage Race; 1st, Ronde von Manor; 1st, Ronde von Manda; 1st, Morgantown Road Race; 3rd, Bear Mountain Spring Classic. 2009: 15th, USA Elite Cyclocross Nationals
Anna Barensfeld fell in love with cycling as an undergrad at Cornell University, thanks to the strong local Finger Lakes road cycling culture, hilly terrain, and top shelf mountain biking. After a short stint in consulting on the west coast after graduating, Anna moved to Boston to jump into the cycling industry, working at a local shop. Racing cyclocross, she upgraded to Elites and placed 15th at Nationals in her second season of focused training and racing. In 2010 she set her sights on a competitive road season. Quickly upgrading to Cat 1, her season highlights included winning the Tour of the Battenkill, the Sterling Classic, and a stage at the Killington Stage Race for Boston-based LadiesFirst Racing. As a guest rider for Specialized Women p/b Bicycle Haus, Anna competed in the Liberty Classic and Cascades Classic. She was glad to accept a spot on the team for 2011 and is looking forward to supporting her teammates on the NRC circuit. Anna is currently seeking her MBA at Babson College in Wellesley, MA.
Maureen Brooks
Date of Birth: 12/03/70
Residence: Tucson, AZ (Born in Elmhurst, IL)
Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
Category: Road – CAT 2
Notable Results: 2005 Summit Center Stage race GC winner Pro, 1-2, 2005 Mt. Graham Hill Climb State Champion-overall female and Pro, 1-2 winner. 2005 Az State Road Race champion Pro, 1-2, 2006-Mt. Lemmon TT 1st place women Pro,1-2, 2008: 2nd Place Overall Female Tinfoil Man Triathlon, Tucson, Az, Nathan’s Triathlon 4th Place Female Overall, Tempe, Az, Mountain Man Triathlon (Flagstaff, Az)2nd Place overall female, Tempe International Triathlon 4th female 35-39, Qualified and competed in the 2008 Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 World Championship, Clearwater FL, 2009: Series Leader in the Blue Pants Winter Trail Running Series; 1st State TTT Championships AZ 2009
Maureen (Mo) is the last of nine children. She initiallystarted out competing in triathlons in late 1997 qualifying for and competing in the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI in 1999. After getting her Bachelor’s in Molecular & Cellular Biology in 1994, Maureen worked in research and clinical trials for the University of Arizona until she decided to attend the Nursing program at the U of A. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing and became a Nurse Practitioner in 2005. Maureendivides her time between working as a NP for Southwest Heart Cardiology in Tucson, with training and racing for both cycling, running and triathlon events year-round.
Luisa Bryce
Date of Birth: April 15, 1982
Residence: Denver, CO
Occupation: Licensed Bilingual Clinical Psychologist
Category: Road Cat 2; Mountain Expert; Triathlon Pro
Notable Results: 1st Xterra World Championship 2010; 2nd Xterra U.S. National Championship, 1st Xterra Lory 2010; 2010; 1st Xterra Indian Peaks 2010; 1st Xterra West Mountain Cup 2010; 1st Xterra Four Corners 2010; 1st Epic Single Track Winter Park Super Loop 2010; 1st Crankworx Cross Country 2010; 1st Mary Jane Circuit 2010; 2nd Xterra U.S. National Championship, 2009; 1st Xterra Indian Peaks 2009; 1st Xterra West Mountain Cup 2009; 1st Xterra Buffalo Creek; 7th Dead Dog Classic Stage Race 2009, 7th Colorado Time Trial Championship, 2009; 13th Iron Horse Classic Omnium, 2009; 13th Tour of the Depot Stage Race, 2009; 13th Ford Ironman World Championship, 2008; 1st Ironman Arizona, 2008; 1st Lake Havasu Triathlon, 2008; 2nd Sahuarita Lake Triathlon, 2008; 8th Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb, 2008; 3rd Summit Center Stage Race, 2008; 5th Valley of the Sun Stage Race, 2008
Luisa’s interest in cycling began in college. Plagued by burn-out after four years of high school track and cross country, she joined the triathlon team at the University of Wisconsin. After riding a Huffy bicycle in her first triathlon, she bought a used road bike and began to take the sport a bit more seriously. Luisa moved to Phoenix in 2006 to attend graduate school and complete her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. There, she was introduced to the road cycling world and raced with Specialized D4W in 2008. After moving to Denver to finish her degree and racing in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, she decided to shift her competitive focus and began tackling the abundant mountain bike trails in Colorado. In 2011, Luisa will continue competing in Xterra triathlons as well as in mountain bike races. When not swimming, running, riding, or working, Luisa enjoys snowboarding, cross country skiing, and yoga.
Heidi Clayton
Date of Birth: March 8, 1968
Residence: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Road – CAT 2; Mountain – Pro
Notable Results: 2009 Arizona State Champion for Female Marathon category; 2009 2nd Place Female Pro Tour de Scottsdale; 2009 5th Overall Women La Ruta; 1st Solo Old Pueblo 24Hr 2008; 1st Arizona Expert MBAA race series 2008; 1st Solo Dawn to Dusk 2008;1st Duo McDowell Fury 24Hr 2008; 5th overall BC Bike Race 2008; 1st Tour de Scottsdale 2007; Leadville Trail 100 Mtbr
Heidi Clayton works as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. Her territory consists of Phoenix and the surrounding areas south of Phoenix. She began riding her bike 10 years ago entering mostly in the Perimeter events (El Tour de Tucson, etc.). Finally, 6 years ago she decided to start road racing, and she quickly moved up to a CAT 2 racer in less than 2 years. Most recently, in the last two years, she has taken up mountain bike racing focusing primarily on the long distance endurance events. Greatest accomplishment to date is my now 8 year old daughter who continues to inspire and motivate me to keep moving forward.
Spring Clegg
Date of Birth: February 14, 1976
Residence: Tucson, AZ
Category: Road – CAT 2; Mountain – Pro
Notable Results: 3rd Tour de Tucson, 1st Duo Old Pueblo 24Hr 2008; 2nd Solo Old Pueblo 24 Hr 2003; Tour of the White Mtns 2nd 2008, 1st 2007; 3rd Arizona Expert MBAA race series 2008
Spring Clegg has been in the active duty Air Force for 15 years now. Her husband Kevin bought her first bike in 1997, and she started racing mountain bikes soon after that for fun. After applying for a commissioning program, Spring was sent to Oahu, HI, in 2003. During her 3 years of school at University of Hawaii, she received her bachelor’s in Meteorology, raced outrigger canoes and triathlons because there was not much bike racing. In 2007, Spring was sent back to Tucson and started racing road and mountain bikes again, eventually earning her upgrade to Cat 2 and Pro Mtn biker by the end of 2008.
Melanie Meyers Colavito – Team Captain
Date of Birth: April 23, 1985
Residence: Tucson, AZ
Occupation: PhD Student in Geography
Category: Road – CAT 1; Mountain – Pro; Cyclocross – CAT 1
Notable Results: Expert National MTB Champ 2006; 3rd – Pan American MTB Championship, Argentina 2007; 2nd – U23 US MTB Series 2007; 2nd – Collegiate MTB Nationals XC, 2007; 3rd – Collegiate MTB Nationals STXC, 2007; 4th Collegiate Road Nationals RR, 2008; 1st – AZ State Pro MTB Championships 2008; Arizona Copper Cup Points Series Leader 2008; 4th – Collegiate National RR 2009; 5th Collegiate National Road Omnium 2009; 4th Collegiate National TTT 2009; 1st State TTT Championships AZ 2009; 10th GC – Tour of the Gila 2010; 4th RR – Collegiate RR Nats 2010; 7th Overall Young Rider Women’s Prestige Series 2010; Fastest Women’s Record for Snowbowl Hill Climb in Flagstaff, AZ
Melanie Meyers Colavito is a PhD student in Geography at the University of Arizona. Melanie’s cycling career started in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona, where she learned how to mountain bike under the tutelage of her older brother. She did her first mountain bike race at the age of 16 and upgraded to the pro ranks by the age of 20. After 2 years on the professional mountain bike circuit, Melanie decided to try her hand at road racing and joined the Specialized Designs for Women Team in 2008. She loved it so much, that she 2011 will be her fourth year with the team. Melanie still loves the dirt and continues to race mountain bikes and a little bit of cyclocross in the winter. When not riding or working, Melanie gets taken for runs by her overly-athletic dog, tries not to kill the garden, and works as the webmaster of this site.
Kim Cole
Date of Birth: November 15, 1968
Residence: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Road – CAT 3; Mountain – CAT 1
Notable Results: 1st Solo Single Speed 12 Hours of Night in Prescott, 2009; 1st Single Speed McDowell Meltdown; 1st Single Speed Hedge Hog Hustle; 1st Single Speed Prescott Punisher; 1st Single Speed Mogollon Masher; 1st Single Speed Flagstaff Frenzy; 1st Single Speed Flagstaff Finale; AZ Championship – 1st Overall Single Speed MBAA Race Series 2009; 3rd Duo Inaugural Barn Burner, 2009; 1st Overall Single Speed MBAA Race Series 2010
Kim started her athletic endeavors as a casual mountain biker in 1988 while she was attending the University of Kansas. After graduating, she moved to Florida. Due to the lack of mountain biking in flat Orlando, FL, she began competing in running races. She continued to race while living in Chicago. Moving to Arizona allowed her to get back to her first love, the mountain bike, where she competed as an expert. Loving the bike, she bought a road bike and has been riding the road ever since. In 2007, Kim suffered a serious injury to her back, leg, and foot (drop foot) that forced her into rehab and off the bike for 6 months. After a long recovery, Kim is back on the bike. Her focus for 2009 was mountain biking ‘ single speed! 2010 Kim plans on continuing racing single speed and adding a few 12 hours races into the mix. Since Kim was recovering from shoulder surgery for the SS Worlds in Durango 20009, she looks forward to the SS Worlds in Australia 2010. Currently, Kim works as a Continuous Learning Specialist and Project Manger- Training for the IT Department of Pulte Homes.
Cara Gillis
Date of Birth: September 14, 1978
Residence: California
Category: Road – CAT 1
Notable Results: 13th GC – Tour de Prince Edward Island, 2009; 9th – Canadian Elite National Time Trial, 2009; 12th – Canadian Elite National Road Race, 2009
Kapri Gonzales
Date of Birth: August 27, 1991
Residence: Tempe, AZ
Occupation: Secretary and Full Time Psychology Student at Arizona State University
Category: Road – CAT 2
Leah Guloien
Date of Birth: July, 23, 1981
Residence: Port Moody, British Columbia
Category: Road – CAT 1
Notable Results (2010): Vancouver to Whistler Gran Fondo, 1st place; Belgium Kappellen Kermesse, Belgium 2nd place; Mount Hood Cycling Classic, OR RR 6th place, Crit 1st place; Gatineau UCI road race, QC 24th place; Tour de Murrieta, CA Crit 3rd place; Valley of the Sun, AZ RR 3rd place
Mary Hall
Date of Birth: February 27, 1975
Residence: Scottsdale, AZ
Occupation: Mommy
Category: Road – CAT 2
Notable Results: 5th – Long Beach Crit, 2009; 1st – Hungry Dog Crit, 2009; 1st – San Tan Crit, 2009; 1st – Sun Devil Crit, 2009; 3rd – Swiss Crit, 2009; 3rd – Cyclo de Mayo Crit, 2008; 2nd – State Crit Champs, 2008; 14th – Boise Twilight Crit (NRC), 2006; 3rd – Idaho State Crit Champs, 2005; 22nd – Atlanta 10k Classic, 2005; 3rd – Idaho State Crit Champs, 2005; 12th – Ecology Center Classic Crit (NRC), 2004; 18th – Ecology Center Classic CR, 2004; 13th – Boise Twilight Crit, 2004; 1st – Idaho State Crit Champs, 2003
At this point in her life, balance is Mary’s top priority.Fitting racing into life with a very busy toddler has been an ever-evolving challenge.After a long year, she is finally embracing her “new” life and looking forward to getting back to the shape she was in before baby. Although she plans to stay at home until her son is in school, she has been volunteering withan organization that provides running programs to children in Title 1 schools.Prior to her son’s arrival, Maryearned her degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Marketing at Gonzaga University andwent on to workas afundraiser for a homeless shelter. In the future,sheplans to continue her education and return to the work she loved. But for now, sheis just so darn excited to beracing again!
Carrie Hansen
Date of Birth: February 20, 1973
Residence: Weymouth, MA
Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
Category: Road – CAT 4
Notable Results: 11/14/2010 – Plymouth Festival of Cyclocross, 4th; 10/31/2010 – Canton Cup Cycle-Cross Race, 17th; 10/24/2010 – Downeast Cyclo-Cross Weekend, 18th; 10/03/2010 – Gran Prix of Gloucester 1 & 2, 35th; 09/26/2010 – Sucker Brook ‘Cross, 18th; 09/19/2010 – 2010 Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend, 25th; 08/07/2010 – Concord Criterium, 6th; 06/28/2010 – White Mountain Cycling Classic; 2nd 2009 Flapjack 20K TT – 1st; 2008 Cyclocross, Brownsville, VT – 2nd; 2008 Cyclocross, Putney, VT – 5th; 2008 AZCross Copper Cup Points Leader; 2008 Copper Valley Classic – GC 3rd
Carrie Hansen is a nurse practitioner with a focus in dermatology and has been practicing for over ten years. Her current office is located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. After living in Arizona for ten years, Carrie is now enjoying the four seasons of New England and couldn’t be happier. Carrie started her cycling career in 2008 with road racing and continues to train year round. In the summer months she challenges herself with road races to build her fitness. This better prepares her for her greater passion, cyclocross racing, in the fall. She believes cyclocross racing is the most difficult sport she has ever endured. Not simply because she is racing against other riders, but because she is racing against the varied terrain, the unpredictable New England weather, and especially herself. In anticipation of winning a cyclocross race, she will soon add mountain biking to her training regimen.
Judy Jenkins
Date of Birth: January 30, 1980
Residence: Tucson, AZ
Occupation: PhD Student, Analytical Chemistry
Category: Road – CAT 2
Notable Results: 1st State TTT Championships AZ 2009; 1st Overall Colossal Cave Stage Race 2010; 2nd Arizona State TT 2010; 1st Arizona State TTT 2010
After swimming competitively for 16 years, Judy’s shoulders decided that it was time she try another sport. Time trials are quite similar in mindset to swimming, so cycling seemed like a reasonable candidate. Upon entering grad school in the Fall of 2006, Judy’s Hawaiian-shirt clad advisor suggested she have an activity (yes, only 1) in her life other than school. Thus, cycling became her new sport/”hobby,” and her advisor’s face turns white when she tells him of descending Mt. Lemmon with the cars. Her first semi-competitive events came in the Perimeter races, but after winning the women’s category of the Tour de Pheonix in 2007, she decided to give the USCF races a try. She learned a lot with the team in 2010, and she’s having fun and glad to be a part of the 2011 Specialized Women p/b Bicycle Haus Team. When she’s not riding, Judy’s research consumes her life. Currently, she is working on designing and generating more efficient solar cells, and she will gladly tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the topic should you ask. Hopefully she’ll graduate in May 2012, but we’ll see…
Erin Lauterbach
Date of Birth: June 7,1990
Residence: Tucson, AZ
Occupation: Student
Category: Road – CAT 4
Erin Lauterbach is currently a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Arizona. When she is off the bike, you can find her baking in the kitchen or cooking smores by the campfire. She began cycling 2 years ago on a bike two sizes too big with pieces and parts found in her friend’s garage. After learning how to enjoy the road, she found a true passion for the sport of cycling. After an entire summer of savings, she had the money to purchase her first racing bike; which launched her on the fast track to racing. She started racing in January of 2010 and is eager to continue racing with the D4W team. She is ready to learn from all of her talented teammates and excited to be surrounded by a team with common goals.
Anna McLoon
Date of Birth: September 13, 1982
Residence: Cambridge, MA
Category: Road – CAT 1
Notable Results: 3rd: Green Mountain Stage Race GC (2010); 4th: stage 3 – Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Road Race (2010); 10th, Liberty Classic (2010); 10th Joe Martin Stage Race GC (2010); 2nd: Collegiate Road Nationals Road Race (2009); 2nd: Green Mountain Stage Race GC (2009); 2nd: Collegiate Road Nationals Criterium (2008)
Anna McLoon is in her (hopefully) final year in a PhD program at Harvard University studying Biological and Biomedical Sciences and conducting research in a microbiology laboratory. Anna has been competing in various endurance sports since elementary school, including two years after college racing the domestic cross country skiing circuit. She bought her first road bike in 2006 in order to “stay in shape” during graduate school, and has grown to love the sport. When not riding or in lab, she tries to ski and hike as much as possible, and is working on hiking all of New Hampshire’s White Mountains that are over 4000ft tall (she only has 3 to go).
Melissa McWhirter
Date of Birth: September 12, 1975
Residence: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Road – CAT 1
Notable Results: 1st – Mt. Hood Cycling Classic Stage 1 & 3rd GC (2009); 13th – Redlands Bicycle Classic prologue (2009); 3rd Valley of the Sun GC (2009); 1st Cat 1/2 Arizona Time Trial State Championships (2008); 14th Cat 1/2 Elite National RR (2008); 1st Cat 1/2 Fort Davis Hammerfest (2008); Record Holder Tucson Bicycle Classic TT; Record Holder Kitt Peak Hill Climb; Record Holder Mount Graham AZ State Hill Climb Championships
Melissa will be joining the team for 2010. Melissa began riding 10 years ago with her husband Art for fitness and to do century rides. In 2006, she began racing and fell in love with the competition. She is an all rounder who loves to race in hilly road races, stage races and time trials.
Tracey Perez
Date of Birth: June 20, 1972
Residence: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Road – CAT 3
Notable Results: 1st Valley of the Sun RR – CAT 4, 2011; 1st Valley of the Sun GC – CAT 4, 2011; 1st McDowell Mountain Circuit Race – CAT 4, 2011; 1st Female Tour de Scottsdale, 2010 and 2009; 1st Team Time Trial AZ State Championships, 2010; 1st AZ Individual Time Trial Championships, Cat4; 1st Hillside Road Race, 2010; 3rd Overall Female Tempe International Triathlon, 2010; 2nd Overall Female Las Palomas Triathlon, 2010; 2nd Mt. Graham State Championship Hill Climb, 2009 s
Tracey caught the bug for racing when she was introduced to the sport of running in the late 90′s. She loved the competition and opportunity to continuously improve. Though she began cycling in 2000, a full-time teaching career and giving birth to two children was enough to put racing on the backburner for a few years. By 2007, she reentered the world of running and found that the previous years of building a solid base provided her with something new – speed! She was hooked! It wasn’t until chronic lower back problems began to stop her in her running tracks that she decided to refocus her training on a road bike. She found it a thrill to feel the energy in the peloton. However, the overtraining between three disciplines without a clear vision and plan became too physically and mentally draining. She was very excited and honored to be given a position on the Missing Link Team being an unproven cyclist. Earning her first upgrade in a month’s time, however, is enough to motivate Tracey to stick with her plan so she can soon race with her teammates on the NRC circuit!
Jenna Rinehart
Date of Birth: July 17, 1984
Residence: Mankato, MN
Occupation: Owner of Nicollet South Bike Shop
Category: Road – CAT 1; MTB – Pro; Cyclocross – CAT 1
Notable Results: U23 National MTB Champion 2006; U23 MTB World Champs, New Zealand 2006 12th; Pan American MTB Champs, Brazil 2006 2nd; 2007 Pro XC National Mtn Bike Series Overall 8th; 2008 Pro MTB STXC National Championships 8th; 2008 Pro MTB XC National Championships 9th; 2008 Sea Otter Classic Pro XC 2nd; 2009 Sea Otter Classic Pro XC 9th; 2008, 2009, 2010 Ore To Shore Marquette, MI 1st; 2007, 2009, 2010 Chequamegon Fat Tire Hayward, WI 1ST; 2010 Pro XCT Mt Morris, WI 8th
Jenna (Zander) Rinehart grew up downhill ski racing. Looking for a way to stay in shape during the summer, she decided to try mountain biking at her local ski hill. Jenna immediately fell in love with the sport. She did her first race at the age of 15 and turned pro at the age of 20. In 2010 Jenna had the opportunity to try road racing. She raced as a guest with the Specialized Designs for Women Team at Nature Valley and the Cascade Classic and loved it. Jenna and her husband Justin recently purchased Nicollet South Bike Shop and are sponsoring the team this season. She is looking forward to racing with the team again in 2011.
Heather Sborz
Date of Birth: July 7, 1983
Residence: Phoenix, AZ
Category: Road – CAT 1
Notable Results: (2009) 1st: State TTT Championships, AZ; 4th: Stage 2 – Valley of the Sun Road Race; 4th: GC – Tucson Bicycle Classic Overall; 5th: GC – Valley of the Sun Overall; 5th: Stage 1 – Valley of the Sun Time Trial; 5th: Stage 1 – Tucson Bicycle Classic Time Trial; 6th Stage 3 – Tucson Bicycle Classic Circuit Race; 14th: Stage 3 – Tour of the Gila Time Trial (NRC); 20th: Stage 1 – San Dimas Stage Race Prologue; 21st: Stage 4 – Tour of the Gila Criterium (NRC); 22nd: Stage 1 – Tour of the Gila Road Race (NRC); 30th: GC – Tour of the Gila Overall (NRC); 32nd: GC – Redlands Bicycle Classic (NRC); 32nd: Stage 5 – Tour of the Gila Road Race (NRC); 35th: Stage 3 – Redlands Bicycle Classic Sunset Road Race (NRC); 38th: Prologue – Redlands Bicycle Classic
An Arizona State University alumnus in Business Economics, Heather started riding in 2005, and although she was convinced that she would be a triathlete, she fell quickly in love with road-racing. Excited to be a part of the Specialized D4W/Bicycle Haus team in 2009, she is an all-around rider who loves time-trialing and stage races. If not on her bike, she can probably be found at Time Market, the bike shop, or out hiking with her dog!
Kristina Seley
Date of Birth: June 18, 1980
Residence: San Luis Obispo, CA
Category: Road – CAT 1
Notable Results: Kristina has been a domestique at numerous NRC races helping her teammates secure a podium spot. Over the past two years at regional races, Kristina’s most notable results are: 3rd Berkeley Hills RR, 4th Tour of America’s Dairyland Fond du Lac Criterium, 5th Topsport Stage Race, 1st Central Coast Circuit Race, 10th Tour de Nez, 2nd SoCal District RR championships, 2nd Sisquoc RR, 3rd Pescadero RR, 4th Copperopolis RR, 4th Berkeley Hills RR, 5th University RR Santa Cruz, 5th Poor College Kids RR.
Kristina has incredible enthusiasm for cycling, both as a sport and as a mode of transportation. Throughout college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo she found freedom and fun in her commutes. But it wasn’t until grad school, with guidance and bike upgrades from a neighbor and friend, that her daily commutes progressed to longer and longer group rides with her Art’s Cyclery buddies. From 2006 to 2010, Kristina gained valuable experience racing for ProMan Women’s Cycling Team and Touchstone Climbing, both top northern California women’s teams. Like many women on Missing Link Coaching Systems/Specialized, she juggles her career and racing well. She races because it’s (painfully) fun, and she has had great experiences meeting fast, friendly women like herself. After graduating from Cal Poly in 2005, she stayed in San Luis Obispo and started her career in Environmental Engineering; she recently obtained her Civil Engineer professional license. In 2011, Kristina is looking forward to being a supportive, fun, hard-working teammate for the women on Missing Link Coaching Systems/Specialized.
Kimberly Truitt – CAT 3/4 Team Captain
Date of Birth: February 5, 1987
Residence: Tucson, Arizona
Category: Road – CAT 3
Kimberly graduated from the University of Arizona in the spring of 2010 with degrees in art history and gender studies. This will be her second year on the Specialized Women/Bike Haus team, and she is looking forward to learning from her experienced teammates and having fun on the race scene. Highlights from last year include winning the state criterium (Cat 4), competing at DI USA Collegiate Cycling Nationals with the U of A team, and celebrating her 23rd birthday at team camp. When not riding road or mountain bikes, Kimberly partakes in creating her own art, reading voraciously, drinking coffee and hanging out with her cat.
Rachel Warner
Date of Birth: April 19, 1987
Residence: Banner Elk, NC
Occupation: Coach and student at Lees-McRae College
Category: Road – CAT 1
Notable Results: 2010 National Collegiate 3K pursuit champion; 2010 SECCC Conference Champion; 2010 7th Collegiate National Road Race; 2010 2nd Collegiate National Team Time Trial; 2010 9th Athens Twilight Criterium pro 1/2; 2009 3rd U23 National Time Trial; 2009 4th U23 National Road Race; 2009 1st GC Giro di Jersey; 2007 3rd U23 National Road Race
Rachel started riding a bike in 2003 with her uncle. In 2005 caught the racing bug; moving into the NRC level 2007. She has spent her U23 years learning from experienced riders and getting to as many races as she could. After a heavy NRC and collegiate schedule in 2010, Rachel is ready to step up another level with her new team and teammates. Rachel enjoys relaxing and hiking in the mountains.
Maggie Williams – Team Director
Residence: Los Angeles, CA & Phoenix, AZ
Occupation: Sr. Vice President of Human Resources
Category: Road – CAT 1
Maggie is the Sr. Vice President of Human Resources, Communication and Services for the world’s largest and premier aircraft leasing company helping airlines around the globe build their businesses. Maggie started her athletic career as a runner and all around athlete at the early age of 14. As a runner, she excelled in the short-distance sprint events such as the 100 meter hurdles, 200 meter sprint and 400 meter run. As Maggie progressed her running career, she started working on running longer distances, in particular 10k races and marathons. After some serious running injuries, Maggie supplemented her running workouts with the bike. In 1989, she started mountain biking on a recreational level in 1989 until she got on a road bike in 1996 and never looked back. Maggie found that her strength on a road bike far exceeded her ability as a runner and on mountain bike. In fact, she became a time trial specialist and excels in this discipline. In 2001, Maggie started racing in Arizona and by 2004 was racing on the NRC for Trek/VW. Her greatest memory and she feels one of her best accomplishments was getting into a 2-women break (with Team Mobile) at the Tour of the Gila in 2005 and helping her team advance into the top 20.
Maggie is now focusing her energy and attention in teaching women more about race strategy and the art of teamwork. She truly enjoys being part of the team and nothing matters more than the team having fun, getting great results, and encouraging women into the sport! Most of all, she wants to teach trust, camaraderie, patience, and the strategy of the race! Maggie is notorious for her attacks in the peloton and really likes to make things happen in a race. When off the bike, Maggie is an executive with a global digital marketing and advertising agency. She holds a B.S. in Human Resources Management from Arizona State University. Maggie also attended Stanford University where she earned her certificate in Organizational Development.
