The peloton's highlights of 2009 Part Three

Nicola Cranmer (General Manager PROMAN Professional Cycling Team)

Best performance: Kristin Armstrong winning World Time Trial Championship in dominating style. What a way to retire from racing! I am very honoured to be working with her next year. A phenomenal performer, a perfectionist and a dedicated coach and mentor.

Best Team: Cervelo TestTeam. A fantastic approach to product development and dedication to both a men's and women's program. The same can be said for Columbia-HTC, too, for its equal opportunity approach to both men's and women's programming.

Biggest disappointment: The general lack of support and press for women's racing. Its slowly changing. In particular, the women's racing and development of riders in the US is progressing at high speed. If you look at the accomplishments of female riders for Olympics, road, track, cross and mountain bike World Championships over the last three years, you can count on the US women being on the podium. It’s an exciting time for women. Races like the Amgen Tour of California should continue to support women, its an important part of our process to ensure growth of women's teams. The exposure we gain from participating in such races is invaluable.

Rider to watch in 2010: I am happy to say there are many US development riders that will be shining next year. There are several that come to mind but Shelley Olds has continued to improve year after year. Watch for her road performances next year. She has had a very successful World Cup track campaign, medalling in her last three events. We have assembled a phenomenal team for 2010 which will include several outstanding junior riders who will definitely be a force to contend with. Its my dream team! I have to mention Evelyn Stevens too. She will be riding for Columbia-HTC.

Most memorable race: Nature Valley GP. We raced a small team with a lot of heart. Its an event that has supported women for many years.

Biggest surprise: I was pretty surprised when one of my riders, Coryn Rivera, at age 16 won a stage of The Cascade Cycling Classic, an NRC event. She out-sprinted the best women in the US and on junior gearing! But Brad Wiggins' Tour De France performance really surprised me.

FULL ARTICLE HERE