Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong Announces Return to Competition

10/23/10 –  After taking a one year break to give birth to her first child, Kristin Armstrong, 37, has announced she will be rejoining the sport to compete throughout 2011-2012, leading to the 2012 Olympic Games. The 2008 Olympic Gold Medal Cyclist and two-time World Time Trial Champion will be writing a new story of triumph and revival as a successful, accomplished and dedicated athlete, and mother.

With the 2009 World Cycling Champion title, 2008 Olympic Gold Medal, 2006 World Cycling title and five national championships under her belt, Kristin is the most successful female cyclist in US history and one of the strongest competitors for both the 2011 season and looking ahead to 2012. Her main focuses will be the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympic Time Trial.
 
“I love cycling and I love competing. I stopped racing after the 2009 World Championships not because I was burned out, but because my husband and I wanted to start a family,” said Kristin Armstrong. “I told myself from the beginning if everything went smoothly with the birth of our son, Lucas William, I would consider racing again.”
 
Kristin will be competing on Peanut Butter & Co. Team TWENTY12, a team she part owns with Nicola Cranmer. Throughout 2010, while Kristin was preparing for the birth of her son, Kristin directed Peanut Butter & Co. Team TWENTY12 to 88 podiums including 55 victories and 9 National Championships on the road.  Her unmatched experience and expertise provided the future champions with much needed support and guidance.
 
“I fully recognize the challenge of returning to the sport at a world class level while being a mother.  Of course, challenges and goals are what drive me and having the full support of my husband Joe and Lucas alongside me will make all the difference,” said Armstrong.  “I’m thrilled Kristin’s continuing to compete,” said Jim Miller, Vice President of Athletics, USA Cycling. “It would have been a shame to watch the next two years go by without her and know that Kristin still has the ability and desire to compete and challenge for both World and Olympic  titles.”
 
Even though she was pregnant in 2010, the super athlete was heavily involved in cycling not only directing Team TWENTY12, but also hosting the Kristin Armstrong Cycling Academy, which gives cyclists of all ages camp-style coaching that focuses on skill and technique, as well as the importance of setting goals, overcoming obstacles and building confidence on and off the bike. Additionally, Kristin is part owner of K-Edge Cycling Solutions, a high end bicycle component manufacturer that got its start designing and manufacturing chain catchers for Kristin’s Olympic bikes. Kristin is also active with the YMCA, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and a number of community-building activities.  Since winning the gold medal in 2008, Kristin became a highly-sought after motivational speaker in Idaho and nationally.
 
At the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, 20 of the 286 female competitors in the USA team were mothers, although very few were gold medalists. Kristin’s ready to rewrite that chapter in Olympic history. To learn more about Kristin Armstrong, her cycling academies, the K-Edge Cycling Solutions and more, visit kristinarmstrongusa.com