team member has a role to play - for one
team member its to go across the finish
line first and for all the others, its to give
up their race to get the one there. Winning
a bike race is hard and so many pieces
have to fall in place to reach that top step
or even the top ten. I wonder how many
cyclists would still be racing if the team
itself and the role each member plays was
recognized for their success.
Tell me about your experience at
the 2018 Sunny King Criterium and
Piedmont Road Race?
Last year was my first year to compete in
Sunny King Criterium and the Piedmont
Road Race. I raced in the 3/4/5 category. It
was only the second crit I had ever raced. It
was a rainy, cold day but I had so much fun.
I overcame a lot mentally and physically
in that race. I was diagnosed with asthma
when I was 5 years old and those weather
conditions are not the best for avoiding
an asthma attack. After I fell off the back
struggling to breathe, I was able to use
my inhaler and regain my breath then pull
myself back up to the main group and
finish in the field sprint for 14th. May not
have been the results I was looking for, but
I was really proud of myself for not quitting
and pushing through.
The next day at the road race was more
successful for me. I ended up in a break with
some strong girls after the punchy climb on
the course and was able to sprint for the win
at the end. A really fun day for me!
What do you look forward to about
the Sunny King and/or the Piedmont
Road Race?
INSIGHT
I really look forward to being able to see
just how much I’ve improved in the last
year physically as well as tactically. I am
really looking forward to traveling with my
Supra family and being there to support
each other as we all learn to compete in
this sport.
Tell me something interesting
about yourself. (may or may not be
about racing)
I was previously a ballerina for 10+ years and
a key member in a pre-professional ballet
company for 4 years. I even graduated high
school a semester early to spend my days
training in the dance studio. Ballet taught
me so much about discipline and graciously
accepting/applying constructive criticism.
The lessons I learned from this sport have
carried into my college career, my career
as a dietitian, and (especially) my career in
cycling. Plus, all of those fast-twitch muscles
from years of ballet have really come in
handy on the bike.
Debbie Milne
What is your
favorite thing about
competitive riding?
It’s a very engaging-
physically and
mentally. You spend
a great deal of time
training to prepare. Then there is the
mental arrangement of planned efforts
(which often hinges on fitness, course, and
who shows up). You set into a race knowing
the opportunities presented by the course
and your plans but ready for adjustment
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