Amy D. Racing rider Erica Zaveta (center) received a warm welcome from the Raleigh Clement Professional Cyclocross Team
(Photo by Dave McElwaine)
Golden, Colorado – May 26, 2015 – The Amy D. Foundation announces the continuation of its Amy D. Racing program for cyclocross which will award one woman with a sponsored ride for the 2015/16 season. Candidates age eighteen and over are encouraged to apply.
The chosen athlete will race a full USA Cycling Professional Cyclo-cross Calendar (Pro CX) schedule while traveling under the wing of the Raleigh Clement Professional Cyclocross Team. A preliminary list of sponsors includes Clement Cycling, Raleigh Bicycles, Lazer Sport, TRP Brakes, K-EDGE, and BikeFlights.
Applicants should possess top-notch athletic potential, embody Amy Dombroski’s passionate and ambitious spirit, qualify to enter the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships, and be available for a lengthy racing agenda. The foundation expects to keep the application window open through June 22 with rider selection anticipated on July 6, 2015.
The Amy D. Foundation launched Amy D. Racing for the 2014/15 cyclocross season. The initiative recently expanded to encompass road competition by backing a composite team at the 2015 Tour of the Gila.
Dan Dombroski established the philanthropic organization with Nicole Novembre in memory of his sister, professional cyclist Amy Dombroski, who passed away from a training accident at age 26. Her advocacy for gender equity in cycling provided the foundation’s direction.
“Like everything we try to push forward through the Amy D. Foundation, this cyclocross program is about a holistic approach to building equality and opportunity for women in the sport,” says Dan Dombroski. “We constantly look to Amy’s passion, drive, and perspective as a guiding light.”
For promising riders making their own way, lining up every weekend of the nearly four-month long Pro CX calendar is usually financially out of reach. The foundation’s program helps a young female rider advance by covering travel, equipment, and mechanical service to race a significant number of UCI events across America.
Erica Zaveta was the program’s first beneficiary, chosen from a pool of over thirty applicants.
“The Amy D. Racing program offers a huge opportunity to the selected rider and it brings awareness to women’s racing,” says Zaveta. “There are a lot of good riders looking for support, and in the end there are just not enough teams to go around.”
Zaveta began her season alongside the Raleigh Clement Professional Cyclocross Team at CrossVegas. She contested twenty-five Pro CX races – twice the activity of her previous season, including the Pan American Continental Cyclo-cross Championships.
Frequent racing supplied numerous chances to test her improving knowledge base. After cracking a top five result, she scored her first UCI win at Gateway Cross Cup. Those performances earned her a spot on USA Cycling’s squad for European World Cups.
Donn Kellogg is the Raleigh Clement team manager and sports manager for the Amy D. Racing cyclocross program. “We learned that the overall program support together with mentoring from Pro CX leader Caroline Mani absolutely helps a rider achieve the next level in her results and cycling career,” says Kellogg about the initiative’s inaugural year.
“Erica applied herself without hesitation and half-way into the season she stood on the top step at a UCI ‘cross event. It is incredibly rewarding for the team and me personally to see the progress and results.”
Touring extensively with the top-ranked team afforded Zaveta the opportunity to experience the life of a professional racer. She focused on racing at the highest level without the stress of maintaining equipment and gained invaluable wisdom and guidance from accomplished athletes and staff.
The program’s entire package elevated not only her skills but her confidence and determination. She points out that the dedication of the foundation’s leaders, Dan Dombroski and Nicole Novembre, further inspired her.
“I learned the importance of believing in yourself and working hard,” Zaveta notes. “So many sponsors and supporters gave so much and believed in the program that I wanted to honor the opportunity and the memory of Amy and do my very best.”
Dombroski considers the first year of the Amy D. Racing ‘cross program an unqualified success. “It brought great credibility and visibility to the program,” he says. “We’re hugely proud of Erica Zaveta and what she accomplished throughout the season. It shows the model works.”
For the application and more information, please visit amydfoundation.org/racing.
About the Amy D. Foundation
The Amy D. Foundation is a nonprofit organization created in honor of Amy Alison Dombroski whose love for cycling and life touched many people around the world. The organization encourages and supports young women through cycling, inspiring the celebration of healthy challenge and empowering the confident pursuit of lofty dreams. Learn more about the foundation, donate, and order merchandise at amydfoundation.org.
