Vicki Thomas at the Jim Horner Classic - by Paul Thomas
For a second cyclocross season, Canadian cyclocross racer and Cyclocross Magazine contributor Vicki Thomas is racing an ambitious international schedule for Ottawa Cross. Ottawa Cross is an independent cyclocross racing team, supported by two local Ottawa companies and other supporting sponsors.
Thomas, 37 years old, will be racing through-out North America (focusing primarily on the New England Verge Series) and in Europe for the 2009 – 2010 cyclocross season. “I’m super excited to get started racing ‘cross this year. The build-up over the summer has been excellent, and I’m keen to get out and race and have some fun.”
With the support of The Cyclery (a local Ottawa bicycle store), Thomas is once again racing on the Stevens Super-Prestige cyclocross frames. The Cyclery also provide Thomas with mechanical support. The Cyclery owner, Vince Caceres, “This is the third season I’ve supported Vicki and her cyclocross goals. I’m happy to see her riding on the Stevens frames and sporting The Cyclery logo on her Ottawa Cross kit.”
Thomas’ season includes races in the New England Verge Series, the Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-Cross Series, the North American CycloCross Trophy, the Canadian National Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, and a full two months of racing in Europe including World Cups and races with the top elite women of cyclocross. All of this travel would not be possible without the generous support of Kingsbridge Disaster Recovery. Kingsbridge is a local Ottawa company specializing in disaster recovery plans and business continuity planning.
“Kingsbridge is a small company of committed individuals who have a passion for their jobs and for anything involving two wheels. We are pleased to be supporting Vicki and her racing goals,” says Skip Williams, president and CEO.
In addition to the key sponsorship of The Cyclery and Kingsbridge, a number of supporting sponsors have helped make Thomas’ season complete. Thanks to Outdoor Gear Canada, Thomas is racing and training with the latest in Giro and Mavic equipment, including the Mavic Fury racing shoes and the Giro Atmos helmet and Giro Havik glasses.
Thomas would not be able to race and train at this elite level without top-end coaching and training. For the fourth season, Thomas is coached and trained under the guidance of Steve Weller, of Bell Lap Coaching. “I’ve got nothing but praise for the level of coaching and support I’ve received from Steve over the past four years. He has taken me from a Masters-level racer to racing with the top elite women in the world.”
No bike racer’s plan is complete without sound nutrition. Thanks to Clif Bar, Thomas has her nutritional needs covered. Supporting her with nutritional products for pre- and post-race, Thomas is confident her needs are being met. “I’ve kind of got addicted to the ZBars – love the Chocolate Brownie flavor.”
Keep your eyes out for the red, white, and black Ottawa Cross kit this season at the top cyclo-cross races in North America and Europe. For more information about Ottawa Cross, Thomas, her sponsors and race calendar, be sure to visit http://ottawa.cx.
