News Archive

ValueAct Capital Women's Cycling Team Training Camp

February 25, 2008

The ValueAct Capital Women's Cycling Team just completed their team training camp in Healdsburg, California. The team enjoyed 7 days of warm sunshine in the rolling hills and vineyards of Sonoma County, logging many hours in the saddle. "We have amazing chemistry on this team," commented Lisa Hunt, team director. "The girls really enjoyed the week together. Lots of good riding, loads of laughs.....it was just great!"

On Tuesday afternoon, the team headed down to the Golden Gate Bridge for a photo shoot, where they were greeted with classic San Francisco weather: clear blue skies, with the fog creeping in.





Each day, the riders were greeted with a new route and new sights to see. One day, the team climbed the famed Geysers Road.



And another day, the team rode out to the coast, down the Pacific Coast Highway, where they rode up the steep pitch of Coleman Valley Road, part of Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California. At the top, while enjoying the view, it was time to take a rest.



After a full week of camp, the team headed to Santa Rosa for the inaugural Women's Amgent Tour of California criterium. The 2k rectangular course had two long straightaways, where the finish line was about 700 meters from the last turn. "If you start the sprint too early, you're toast!" commented Martina Patella. With all of the top teams represented,andwith such a wide open course, it was going to be difficult for a breakaway to succeed."It's the first race of the year.It's the first time that these girls have raced together. We wanted to ride attentively; mark the strong riders, and be in all the moves," commented Hunt. With 6 laps to go, VAC's Katie Mactier attacked, with High Road's Kim Anderson on her wheel. The duo stayed off for 2 laps, butwere reeled in by a hungry, hard charging field.With all the teams setting up lead-outs for their sprinters, it was a drag race to the finish.Tibco's Brooke Miller outgunned Cheerwine's Laura Van Gilder for the win, withEmilia Fahlin fromTeam High Road taking 3rd. "There were teams going up the left side, so we took the right side. It was a long sprint!We may not have gottenon the podium, buteveryone rode a great race!" remarked Lara Kroepsch. Katie Mactier, who flew in from Australia for the training camp and the race,was impressed by thequality of the field. "It was agreat race. The team rode really well together. It's been a fabulous week of training," said Mactier. Mactier heads back to Australia, where she will begin her preparations for the Track World Championships in March.

The team's next race will be the Sequoia Cycling Classic in Visalia, CA on March 15-16.

ValueAct Capital is one of the premiere value-investing firms in the United States, taking large ownership positions in publicly-traded companies and then working closely with company management to generate strong returns. ValueAct Capital is excited to sponsor a dedicated, talented cycling team that embodies the firm's own work ethic and drive for success.

Other sponsors include: Blue Competition Cycles, Ritchey Logic, TRP Brakes, PowerBar, Time, Columbia Sportswear, Voler, Michelin, DeFeet, Rudy Project, Reynolds Wheels, Fi'zi:k.

< Previous Article      < News Home >      Next Article >