In their continued commitment to providing an opportunity to Olympic athletes, juniors and to women in the workplace, Sho-Air TWENTY20 entering its 15th year continues to provide an environment that encompasses work-life balance, which is vital to athletes and their developmental growth on and off the racecourse. Many of the program’s athletes are dual discipline riders, racing on the track and road and have podium aspirations at multiple formats. The unique program and racing schedule fosters the long-term goals and is a safe haven for dual sports growth and academic goals with two athletes amidst Ph.D. studies Chemical Engineering and Atmospheric Science.
World Champions and Olympic Medalists
Highlighting the roster for another season are multi-time World Champions and Olympic medalists Jennifer Valente (USA) and Chloé Dygert Owen (USA) along with Canadian Olympic medalist Jasmin Duehring and young Canadian sensation, junior world championship bronze medalist Simone Boilard.
“I am very happy and proud to be included on the Sho-Air TWENTY20 roster. I share the same values as the team, looking for excellence and believing in hard work in both sport and academic domains. Sho-Air TWENTY20 also provides great mentors and role models.” said Boilard.
With seven Sho-Air TWENTY20 athletes positioning for the Tokyo Olympics, Valente is an integral part of the USA Tokyo medal campaign, currently ranked 2nd in the UCI Omnium standings. She is in her 7th season with Sho-Air TWENTY20 and the 2019 season will balance track and road racing.
“I enjoy the road team atmosphere and being a part of the road program allows me to channel my work ethic and maintain focus, all while being part of something more than just riding and racing. It is a welcome contrast to the individual focus of the omnium but at the same time, the program accommodates my Tokyo track focus,” commented Valente. “We have a motivated roster this year and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish.”
Demands of the team pursuit and in particular the omnium require significant road fitness. Valente, who has natural leadership skills, has found that racing with Sho-Air TWENTY20 has brought her confidence in her role as team sprinter as well as increased her fitness and power level.
Reigning world champion, 22-year-old Dygert Owen has been with the program since age 16 and has blossomed her career with TWENTY20.
“I very happy to continue working with Chloé. 2018 was a rough year for her, however, she is now more motivated than ever and we will work to achieve her season goals. We have a very open and transparent dialog with all of our athletes and always a focus on balance combined with their high-performance goals, with Chloe’s injuries we offer her the latitude for plenty of recovery time and a proportional balance of track racing and road fitness. We know when she’s on form, she will hit it out of the park. Long term goals and patience are essential in this process of sport and high-performance development,” said Nicola Cranmer, General Manager, Sho-Air TWENTY20.
Dygert Owen is set to race early season road events, building into the season with a focus on time-trial and sprint form.
“My coach Kristin Armstrong and team General Manager, Nicola Cranmer have been there every step of the way and its been challenging with a combination of injury and crashes, said Dygert Owen. “I can’t say there’s another team out there that would give me the support I need to be a dual athlete (track and road). Our director Mari Holden is so supportive of Jen and my goals and our difficult schedules. We both have lofty goals so balancing it all is important for us.“
“Within our program, it has never been about doing as many races as possible. It’s about a healthy, balanced structured season, year in and year out. It’s about developing strong healthy and successful athletes with valuable life skills, it’s about life experiences and adventure.” added Cranmer. “I’m thrilled with the diverse opportunities we will be taking advantage of this season. Staying fluid in the changing landscape of cycling is key and with some upcoming changes to the program, its nothing but a pure opportunity for increased partner exposure.”
Another new addition to the program is triathlete turned road racer Jennifer Luebke. The Montana native majored in mathematics and Spanish at the University of Montana while a member of their triathlon team and made the switch from triathlon to cycling in 2015. Now with two successful professional cycling seasons under her belt, she looks to improve on her 6th place at the 2018 U.S National Time Trial Championships and to advance her stage race experience with Sho-Air TWENTY20.
“I’ve always been impressed with Sho-Air TWENTY20’s dedication to time trialing with everything from world-class mentors like Mari Holden and Kristin Armstrong to the very best equipment to race day preparations. I’m really excited to join this program to take my time trial to the next level using the outstanding team resources and bring my energy to the program,” said Luebke.
Sports Director and Olympic medalist Mari Holden will enter her 6th year with the program, alongside Cranmer. Both women are significantly invested in the athletes, the ethos of the program and pursuing ways to offer female athletes avenues for their sporting goals and dreams.
“We have a very talented group of women on the team this year. There is a good blend of younger athletes like Simone and top seasoned veterans. It will be fun to see the progression heading towards Tokyo. Jennifer (Valente) is medal capable in several events and Chloé will have opportunities on the road and track. Georgia Simmerling is making her debut on the road this year after being out last year with injuries,” commented Holden. “It’s going to be an exciting year and we have some very motivated athletes coming back from injuries. I think that people will underestimate our strength and that will work to our advantage.”
A new addition to the team staff is Adrian Hedderman as head mechanic. Hedderman is a highly skilled mechanic based in Asheville, North Carolina and had previously worked with the program. He brings incredible knowledge, work ethic and a spunky Irish sense of humor.
Sho-Air International has increased its long-standing support of the program as title sponsor and owner Scott Tedro continues to be instrumental, not only the TWENTY20 program but in the sport as a whole in the US supporting individuals and events.
The team will continue their long-standing partnership with Felt Bicycles and bikes will be equipped with Sram components, Zipp wheels, Quarq power meters, Speedplay pedals, Arundel and Kenda tires.
UCI Team
Sofia Arreola (MEX)
Simone Boilard (CAN)
Erica Clevenger (USA)
Margot Clyne (USA)
Allie Dragoo (USA)
Jasmin Duehring (CAN)
Chloé Dygert Owen (USA)
Jennifer Luebke (USA)
Shayna Powless (USA)
Stephanie Roorda (CAN)
Jennifer Valente (USA)
Melanie Wong (USA)
Para Athlete
Jamie Whitmore (USA)
Development Program
Amanda Coker (USA)
Emma Grant (GB)
Courtney Nelson (USA)
Georgia Simmerling (CAN)
Junior Development Team
Mallory Bryan (USA)
Coco Diemar (USA)
Hayley Diemar (USA)
Makayla Macpherson (USA)
Kate Seiler (USA)
Maize Wimbush (USA)
Homare Yamashita (USA)
Elite Mountain Bike Team
Lea Davison (USA)
Savilia Blunk (USA)
Visit SoCalCycling.com’s Event Calendars for upcoming Road Racing Events, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-Cross & Gravel Events, Fun Rides, Gran Fondos & Tours and Pro Road Tour (PRT) Events throughout the year to find great cycling events to participate in or spectate.
