Riders
JEN MCRAE
Stats:
Racing Age: 41
Date of Birth: 8/9/67
Previous Teams: Team EDS
Hometown: Austin TX
Strengths: Sprint Finish
Personal Website: Channmcraecycling.com
Highlights:
2007 1st, AT&T Downtown Criterium, Austin, TX
2007 2nd, US-Open, Richmond, VA
2007 2nd, US National Crit Championships
2007 4th, Invitational Criterium, Charlotte, NC
2007 5th, International Cycling Classic, Philadelphia (Top American)
2006 1st, Athens Twilight
2006 2nd, Bike Jam, Baltimore, MD
2006 4th, Invitational Criterium, Charlotte, NC
2005 3rd, US National Crit Championships
2005 4th, Bike Jam Baltimore, MD
2005 5th, Invitational Criterium, Charlotte, NC
2005 5th, Atlanta 10k Classic
2005 9th, CSC Arlington
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Athens Twilight
Favorite Food: Chocolate Milk
Favorite TV Show: The Shield
Favorite Hobby: Photography
Me and how I started racing:
After retiring from cycling in 1999 to grow a family, in 2005 I set my sights on getting back to the races and back to the sport I truly love, bike racing! While growing the family, I had transitioned to running – but a running injury forced me back on the bike and I was quickly reminded of where my passion is. Running is a great sport because you feel so free and in control. But, from the first day I jumped on a racing bike with a cycling club in college, I discovered my gift - speed. You have to use the gifts that are given to you in life or it simply goes wasted. Cycling is where it’s at for me – sprint finishes suit how my body is wired. I wouldn’t enjoy cycling as much if it weren’t for the competition – the competitive rides and the fast races, that’s where I love to be and look forward to being in 2008 with Team Advil.
ANNA MILKOWSKI
Stats:
Racing Age: 32
Date of Birth: January 20, 1975
Previous Teams: Targetraining, Lipton, Rona, Gearworks-Spinarts
Hometown: New Haven, CT / East Chatham, NY
Strengths: All-arounder
Personal Website: http://annamilkowski.blogspot.com/
Highlights:
2007
1st Owasco Stage Race GC
1st Tour of the Hilltowns
1st Fitchburg TT
5th Green Mountain Stage Race GC
7th Chris Thater Criterium
11th Gran Prix de Santa Ana UCI
Vuelta del Salvador UCI (7th Prologue, 5th TT, three top-15 road stage finishes)
16th Nature Valley GC
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Anything epic, especially with dirt. Altoona ranks right up there, but the crowds and wafts of beer and grilling cheesesteaks at Philly are hard to beat.
Favorite Food: Mango, burrito, Swiss chard.
Favorite TV Show: Too much else more compelling!
Favorite Hobby: Collecting and sending postcards.
Me and how I started racing:
After college I was a burned out cross-country ski racer and rower, but a short break that involved pursuing outdoor sports (such as telemark skiing and mountain biking) in beautiful locations (such as Santa Fe and San Diego) convinced me I was not done. I was working at an outdoor sports magazine, talking routinely to people engaged in epic adventures like sailing around the world and spelunking uncharted territory amid poisonous animals and thought “I want to have some adventures of my own!” A project researching a writing a guidebook to mountain bike trails in the Berkshires of Massachusetts presented the perfect opportunity to take up road racing, excellently mentored by my racer brother, Stefan (even though he overlooked some essentials such as the necessity of a floor pump).
NATALIE KLEMKO
Stats:
Racing Age: 21
Date of Birth: October 1, 1987
Previous Teams: ADVIL/CHAPSTICK & AMERICAS DAIRYLAND
Hometown: BRISTOL, WI
Strengths: SPRINTING, ALL-AROUND
Personal Website: www.natalieklemko.blogspot.com
Highlights:
2007:
Collegiate Criterium National Champion
6th Place Visalia Criterium
7th Place Central Valley Road Race
2006
San Dimas Best Young Rider Jersey
3 Time Junior/Espoir National Track Champion
2 Time Junior World Team Member
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Tour de Toona
Favorite Food: Cheese
Favorite TV Show: Greys Anatomy & The Tyra Show
Favorite Hobby: Cooking
Me and how I started racing:
I am currently a student at Midwestern State University in Texas. I was born in Wisconsin and began racing at a very young age on a Barbie bike. I started cycling on the velodrome and over the years begun transitioning to the road and absolutely love it!
HEATHER LABANCE
Stats:
Racing Age: 36
Date of Birth: July 14, 1972
Previous Teams: Skylands Cycling Club but I’m All Advil as far as women’s racing teams
Hometown: Vernon, NJ
Strengths: All rounder with a kick!
Personal Website: heatherlabance.blogspot.com
Highlights:
2007:
1st Battenkill Roubaix
1st NY Capital Region Race
3rd US Open Cycling Championships
11th US National Championships RR
11th Tour de Toona crit
12th Tour de Toona crit
12th Nature Valley Stillwater stage
13 Nature Valley GC
13th Hanes Park Criterium
17th Liberty Classic
Most Aggressive Rider Sunny King Crit
2006:
1st Fitchburg Classic TT
2nd Fitchburg Classic GC
17th Liberty Classic
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Liberty Classic (Sorry Bowles…I know it’s not your fav.)
Favorite Food: Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies
Favorite TV Show: Desperate Housewives J Thank God I’m not one of those!
Favorite Hobby: Hike the Appalachian Trail with Madeline, Bill and Zabina (our dog).
Me and how I started racing:
I was on maternity leave from teaching sixth grade and I was getting “itchy”…I took away the “B” in the front of that word! Bill bought me a road bike (which I never had) and told me to join the cycling club and blow some steam there. Well I did that and then started to race the local NJ scene. I dominated the local regional scene and took the notice of Jim Williams. He asked me to guest ride for his team, Quark at the time. I did a series of races with them and I was hooked!
Reem came to me and asked me if I wanted to help “create” and pitch a proposal to Wyeth (Advil and ChapStick) for a women’s team. The rest is history. I am one of the few remaining girls that started the team.
ELISA GAGNON
Stats:
Racing Age: 30
Date of Birth: August 4, 1978
Previous Teams: Advil-ChapStick since 2006, Lipton 2005, Aquafina 2004
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Strengths: all-around
Personal Website: none
Highlights:
2007
4th RR Quebec Championships
8th Fitchburg RR and Circuit race
Finished Montreal World cup!
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Fitchburg Longsjo classic
Favorite Food: Any kind of pasta dish
Favorite TV Show: Gilmore’s girls…I know it’s over but I haven’t found another show yet!
Favorite Hobby: Play piano
Me and how I started racing:
My friend introduced me to cycling when I was 15! I was doing speed skating during the winter and she suggested I try cycling during the summer…since then, I have been riding and racing my bike! I’m also a PhD student in Management and should be finishing next year!!!
REEM JISHI
Stats:
Racing Age: 39
Date of Birth: July 10, 1969
Previous Teams: CRCA Radical Media (2004-2005)
Hometown: Madison, NJ
Strengths: Attacks and covering attacks
Personal Website: none
Highlights:
A few top 10 finishes this year at the regional level – but most of my highlights come from helping others get on the podium.
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Liberty Classic
Favorite Food: French Fries (but don’t worry, I can resist the temptation)
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite Hobby: Hanging out with my 2 year-old nephew
Me and how I started racing:
I was always an athlete growing up – I was competitive swimmer at age 7. In high school, I focused on soccer and ran track in the off-season. Then college hit and then law school and then 100 hour weeks at a NYC law firm and well, 12 years went by with almost no exercise. Just before turning 30, I decided to take back some control over my life. I signed up to compete in a half Ironman triathlon with Team in Training. I figured if nothing else, I would at least help a good cause by raising money. I started back with exercising by running 2 miles – it nearly killed me. But I pushed through it and rediscovered how much I enjoyed athletic competition. I raced tris for a few years, culminating with the Lake Placid Ironman in 2002. Although I really enjoyed competing in tris, I loved riding my bike much more than running or swimming, so I decided to turn my focus on bike racing. I raced regionally for the first few years and then Team Advil-ChapStick was born and my racing world changed. Through this team I have learned so much about team work and the importance of every member of the team. This team truly exemplifies the saying that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Off the bike, I am an attorney.
LAURA BOWLES
Stats:
Racing Age: 26
Date of Birth: March 15, 1982 “The Ides of March”
Previous Teams: Cheerwine, Victory Brewing
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Strengths: All-arounder and criteriums
Personal Website: http://bowlesie.blogspot.com/
Highlights:
2007:
4th Downers Grove ProAm Criterium
5th Decatur Daily Criterium
7th Smith Barney Classic Criterium
8th Reading Classic Criterium
10th US Open Championship
10th Walterboro Criterium
2006:
3rd Place Central Valley Classic Criterium
3rd Place Sequoia Classic Criterium
6th Redlands Criterium
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: By far Athens Twilight!! And also Tour de Toona!!
Favorite Food: Wine and dark chocolate!
Favorite TV Show: Hmm I don’t have a tele
Favorite Hobby: Art work and piano
Me and how I started racing:
Finally after many of years of running I discovered the bike. I was running in college at Appalachian State University battling many injuries when I started racing triathlons. I thought triathlons were fun but I wanted to have somewhat of a team aspect with my athletics. It is amazing what you can do when you know someone is depending upon you. I started my professional racing career with Victory Brewing women’s professional team racing for some wonderful, powerful women. It was so exciting and such a learning experience. Now I’m here racing again for another year with Advil-ChapStick women’s professional cycling team and what a team. I love the girls and I love to kill it on the bike!
SARAH TILLOTSON
Stats:
Racing Age: 31
Date of Birth: 4/23/1977
Previous Teams: XXX Racing, ABD Cycling, Colavita/Sutter Home
Hometown: Boise, ID
Strengths: all around
Personal Website: not that cool yet
Highlights:
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Tour of Gila
Favorite Food: organic veggies and anything that combines sugar and butter
Favorite TV Show: The Colbert Report
Favorite Hobby: hiking
Me and how I started racing:
Currently I am a resident of Boise, Idaho where I am attending BSU in the off-season and working with children in between training time. I was first introduced to the sport through bike messengering in Chicago where I received a taste of racing doing unsanctioned alley cat style races on open city streets. After a season of racing with a supportive group of urban cyclists primarily focused on track racing I joined a club based outside Chicago called Athletes By Design where I grew as an athlete and cyclist under the coaching of Mike Farrell. For the last two years I raced for Colavita/Sutter Home with some amazingly talented women all over the country and occasionally in other countries as well. I am excited to be working with the Advil program in '08 as it will provide a new opportunity for growth both on and off the bike.
KIRSTEN ROBBINS
Stats:
Racing Age: 29
Date of Birth: April 28, 1978
Previous Teams: Victory Brewing Professional Cycling Team
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Strengths: Climbing, Team Work
Highlights:
2007 1st Boulder Hill Climb, CO
2007 4th Bear Mountain Road Race, NY
2006 Member of the Canadian National Team
2006 Canadian National World Championships Team in Austria (alternate)
2006 2nd Cascade Classic Stage one, OR
2006 1st QOM Competition Cascade Classic Stage two, OR
2006 13th Sea Otter Classic, CA
2006 15th Redlands Classic TT, CA
2005 Member of the Canadian National Team
2005 2nd Tri Peaks Stage Race Stage 3
2005 2nd Tri Peaks Stage Race Overall, AK
2005 9th Joe Martin Stage 1, AK
2005 8th Pomona/San Dimas TT, CA
2005 9th Pomona/San Dimas Stage Race Overall, CA
2005 9th Canadian National Championships, BC
2005 15th Grand Tour Du Montreal Stage Race Overall, QUE
2005 20th Montreal World Cup, QUE
2004 5th Tour of Gila Monster finale
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Montreal World Cup
Favorite Food: PEI Mussels and Lobster
Favorite TV Show: House and Lost
Favorite Hobby: Cooking, Fashion, Studying Languages
Me and how I started racing:
Kirsten was a Canadian national caliber middle distance runner until a multitude of injuries ended her running career and turned her over to the sport of road cycling. In her first year she joined the Ontario Provincial team to compete in the Montreal World Cup. Exposed to world-class racing, she committed to pursue her road cycling endeavors to the next level. In 2001 she joined the US based team Victory Brewing, a full-time offer competing in the highest ranked US races. This move gave her the opportunity to improve, develop and learn about bike racing. Three years later, the Canadian National Team offered Kirsten a spot on the Montreal World Cup and Grand Tour du Montreal squad that resulted in a successful project. The national team showed their interest in developing her road skills further by sending her to train and compete in the European pre-world preparation project. Living in the team house in Couches, France she was able to experience the European style of racing in several stage races and World Cups in Wales, France and Holland. In 2006 the national team took her back over to Europe for two months to compete in the same pre-worlds project and this time as a selected member of the road World Championships Team as an alternate in Salsburg, Austria.
BRENDA LYONS
Stats:
Racing Age: 39
Date of Birth: July 17, 1969
Previous Teams: Team Lipton, Victory Brewing Professional Cycling Team, Velo Bella, Athletes by Design.
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Strengths: Technical courses and sprinting
Personal Website: The Brenda Report www. Bluv717.blogspot.com
Highlights:
2007
3rd INDIO GRAND PRIX
3RD SAN DIMAS STAGE RACE CRITERIUM
4TH GARRET LEMIRE MEMORIAL CRITERIUM
5TH DOWNTOWN RALEIGH CRITERIUM
6TH BIKE JAM/KELLY CUP
7TH REDLANDS CLASSIC CRITERIUM
9TH CENTRAL VALLEY CLASSIC ROAD RACE
24TH RONDE VAN GELDERLAND
2006
1ST TOUR DE TOONA STAGE RACE CRITERIUM
2ND CAP TECH CYCLING CLASSIC
2ND COUGAR MOUNTAIN CALSSIC CRITERIUM
3RD WENDY'S CYCLING CLASSIC CRITERIUM
3RD WENDY'S CYCLING CLASSIC ROAD RACE
4TH TOUR OF SOMERVILLE
4TH NALLY HISTORIC ROSWELL CRITERIUM
4TH MCLANE PACIFIC CYCLING CLASSIC CRITERIUM
5TH US CRITERIUM CHAMPIONSHIPS
6TH ATHENS TWILIGHT CRITERIUM
6TH TOUR DE TOONA HOLIDAYBURG CIRCUIT RACE
6TH READING CLASSIC
6TH LANCASTER CLASSIC
2005
4TH TOUR OF SOMERVILLE
5TH CAPTECH CYCLING CLASSIC
6TH MANHATTAN BEACH GRAND PRIX
9TH SAN DIMAS CLASSIC SAN DIMAS STAGE RACE
10TH INCYCLE/CANNONDALE ROAD RACE SAN DIMAS STAGE RACE
10TH BIKE JAM/KELLY CUP
2004
3RD US CRITERIUM CHAMPIONSHIPS
3RD WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL CYCLING CLASSIC - WORTHINGTON
3RD WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL CYCLING CLASSIC -
5TH ATHENS TWILIGHT CRITERIUM
5TH NEW YORK CITY CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP
5TH ALPINE VALLEY ROAD RACE SUPERWEEK
6TH MENASHA CYCLING CLASSIC SUPERWEEK
6TH SHOREWOOD CRITERIUM SUPERWEEK
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: RONDE VAN GELDERLAND (HOLLAND)
Favorite Food: I APPRECIATE ALL SORTS OF CUISINE AND I'M A TOTAL DESSERT LOVER.
Favorite TV Show: IF I HAD TO PICK...I WOULD HAVE TO SAY "RUN'S HOUSE" -- YOU KNOW THE SHOW ABOUT RUN DMC AND HIS FAMILY...I LOVE IT!
Favorite Hobby: SPONTANEOUS ADVENTURES, SIGHTSEEING (AND SHOPPING OF COURSE!)
Me and how I started racing:
Brenda got her start into racing many years ago as a young girl on the BMX track, however it was many years later after the birth of her son Myles, that she discovered the sport of road cycling. After a few seasons racing regionally in Northern California, Brenda began racing professionally in 2005 and signed on with the Victory Brewing Cycling Team that same year. After a remarkable season with the team in 2006, where she contributed to multiple team wins and raced her way onto the podium a number of times, Brenda was officially ranked among the top ten women in the nation for the year. She was then recruited to TEAm LIPTON for the 2007 racing season. Unfortunately, illness and injury marred her year with Lipton, which effectively took her out of podium contention for much of the racing year. Brenda still contributed to her team's success throughout the season and gained valuable experience racing with some of the best women in the world. With all of her racing experience, Brenda adds a great deal of depth to The Advil ChapStick Cycling Team. Whether she is a designated sprinter or lead-out rider for the team, her strengths will make her a key player in putting Team Advil ChapStick on the podium in 2008.
SUE PALMER KOMAR
Stats
Racing Age: 41
Date of Birth: January 27 1967
Previous Teams: Genesis Scuba, Colavita/Sutter Home
Hometown: Hamilton Ontario Canada
Strengths: Climbing, lead outs
Personal Website: www.cozmocat.blogspot.com
Highlights:
2 Time Olympian for Canada
Fun Stuff:
Favorite Race: Fleche Wallone World Cup, Huy, Belgium
Favorite Food: Strawberries
Favorite TV Show: Home Improvement shows
Favorite Hobby: Unicycling and Juggling
Me and how I started racing:
Sue started cycling in high school as training for x-country skiing. When she came to McMaster University in the fall of 1986, cycling became her main sport. She raced through the university years with success in both athletics and academics (3 years on the Dean's Honour List) graduating from Mac Phys-Ed in 1992 and University of Windsor (BEd) in 1993. She has been a full-time athlete since then with a year break to have a daughter in early 2000 and another daughter in 2007. She is a two-time Olympian (cycling-road race, Athens 2004 & Atlanta 1996). She continues to race balancing motherhood and competition.
DS - TIM CHIEN
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