TRIA Orthopaedic Center Your Cycling Blog

Melissa Doherty rides for Team Kenda. Her ultimate goal is to represent her team at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. She has given us a little bit of insight into how she has tried to get into the race in years past and what might be in store for the 2010 edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

When I think of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, I go back in time and the image of a blonde girl in a sunny mountain meadow. My idol Kristen Armstrong, is wearing her Team Lipton race kit as she flashes through my head. I think it’s because I’ve seen the commercial so many times and Kristen was dominating the race, when I was first getting into the sport. Ever since I started cycling in 2004, I’ve wanted to race at the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

This race was my motivation at the 2007 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships as winning it would have rewarded me with a spot to the Ryan Collegiate All-Star team. Needless to say, I made one bad move the last 400 meters during the road race, and lost that opportunity.

In 2009, I raced in Bear Mountain, NY and the same offer stood for the champion of that race. Evelyn Stevens dropped me on the 3rd or 4th lap and I again lost another opportunity. Believe me, going into those races; more than anything, I wanted to win, just for a chance to race at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. To me, the Nature Valley Grand Prix is the pivotal race in America where if a rider did something remarkable multiple doors around the world would open. The race is a gateway to becoming a woman professional rider.
Now, here I am, with no experience at the Nature Valley Grand Prix, but with a much greater chance at getting on that starting line. I race for Team Kenda; however, the roster has not yet been established, but I hope my efforts in races like the Tour of the Battenkill and Joe Martin Stage Race will earn me an opportunity at this legendary American bike race.

A little background on myself: I am what people call the Cowgirl Cyclist. I grew up in Wyoming, graduated from the University of Wyoming, and moved to Massachusetts only two years ago. I went to Europe in the spring of 2008 and raced with the U.S. National Team development program in Italy and France. Once I completed my obligation with the U.S. National Team I proceeded to travel to Belgium and France as a privateer for that summer, meaning I, along with a few sponsors, financed my trip as I had no team.

With the help of Chris Georgas, I guest-rode for many European teams including Red Sun and Montauban Cycling Feminine. I slept on many couches. I’ve raced against many of the top female cyclists in the world, I’ve finished nearly last place, and I’ve finished first. Cycling is the air I breathe. My adventures begin on a bicycle. A few years ago, my husband proposed to me on a bike ride. He too is obsessed with the sport as he works at a bike shop. Day in and day out, my training starts when I hop on my bike, commuting to work, dodging cars, dump trucks, manholes, and stopping for old ladies crossing the road. I arrive to work where everyone rags me about my cycling fashion; rolled up pant legs, and my farmers tan. After work, I drop my bag off at my husband’s shop and go for my training ride until dark. Our life completely revolves around cycling.

Now with only a month and a half till the Nature Valley Grand Prix, I am trying to compete in as many races as possible to increase my performance to the highest possible level. Sure, I’ve ridden overseas, but it’s almost been two years. For now, I will not only keep dreaming about these legendary races, and finding ways to get there, but take the culmination of experiences I’ve had, and use these as a tool to become the best possible cyclist I can be. I don’t know if I will be on that roster for the Nature Valley Grand Prix, but every day, I eat, sleep, and train as if it’s going to happen.

To find out more about Team Kenda, check out their website at www.teamkenda.com. Melissa Doherty also has her own blog, where you can keep up to date on all the events leading up to her dream: the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

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