Team Kenda women are excited to return to the women’s U.S. peloton in 2011 and contest the National Racing Calendar (NRC). The team is entering its 12th year in women’s bicycle racing. “With the sluggish economy, our sponsors continue to put faith in our organization and we are very thankful,” remarked team manager Paul Forsythe. Banner sponsor, Kenda USA, expanded team support for 2011.Team Kenda brought back Rebecca Blatt after two season’s absence. Otherwise, the team did not add any new talent to its roster, but simply bolstered its Elite NRC team by promoting top performing regional racers such as Jill Kislia and Mitzie Goldman. Our team is about giving opportunity to hard working women whose dreams are to make it to the highest levels in women’s cycling. Kislia attacks on command like a “terminator.” She is very strong. Mitzie is an amazing climber. Both riders fit well into our game plan for 2011.
Ashley James is the current 2009 USA Cycling U23 Women Cyclocross Champion. She is a great all-rounder. Team Captain, Jacqueline Kurth, is only 19 years old. Jackie, the 2009 USA Cycling Junior Women 17-18 National Criterium Champion, has been racing since she was nine years old. “Jackie plans and reads races very well, and I feel that she can impart her knowledge and skills to the benefit of the team in this new role,” claims TM Paul Forsythe. “It is a logical career step for the Marian College scholarship rider, and Jackie is backed up by team veteran, Catherine Walberg, a solid performer on our team since year number two. It’s all good! I hope that I sound excited, because I am.”
Once again, the team looks forward to continue mentoring junior, collegiate, and master women racers.
Team Kenda Women’s Cycling sponsors include Kenda USA, Blue Competition Cycles, Plant Solutions, Verge, SRAM, Thomson, PowerBar, Rudy Project, Zipp Speed Weaponry, CycleOps, Terry Precision Cycling, Headsweats, Skins, Deen-Gross Eye Centers, Thule, Govert Auto Body, LifesportDR, Sportcrafters, Cateye, Ferguson & Associates, Hoo Ha Ride Glide, Anni Fanni, Richard Weiss Company, Inc, and Outlaw Earth.
About Team Kenda Women’s Cycling: Team Kenda began in 1999 as Team Ameritech with nine riders who excelled at bicycle racing. Over the years, the team has steadily grown in size and now boasts NRC Elite, as well as Southeast, Mid-Atlantic Elite, Midwest, and West Regional Teams. The team competes in the United States focusing on the National Race Calendar (NRC). In 2010, the team finished 8th among 73 teams in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) Women’s Team competition.