ValueAct Capital Cycling Team Announces 2008 Roster
Women's team VAC Divas return as sophomores after a successful first season - adding muscle, talent, and experience to their roster. Goldstein, Kroepsch, Hambleton and Ruiter join the squad.

Building off a successful inaugural season, the ValueAct Capital Professional Women's Cycling Team has added top talent to its roster for the 2008 race season. New riders Nicole Evans, Leah Goldstein, Marni Hambleton, Lara Kroepsch and Chrissy Ruiter will join the current line-up of VAC women: Sharon Allpress (USA), Hannah Banks (AUS), Courtenay Brown (USA), Katie Mactier (AUS), Martina Patella (USA) and Taitt Sato (USA). The added depth and experience will help the team achieve their goal of being one of the top teams in the US.

ValueAct Capital team - Team Time Trial Tour de Toona 2007
Photo © Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

“Last year, we had a young, spirited team that really proved they had the ability to succeed. Katie Mactier’s wealth of experience really contributed to making this team gel” commented Director, Lisa Hunt. “I wanted to build on that momentum, by adding more top stage race and single day race talent. It’s a great group of riders!”

Three-time Mt. Hood Cycling Classic winner, Leah Goldstein adds firepower for General Classification at the major stage races. Goldstein, the current Israeli National Road Race and Time Trial champion who resides in British Columbia, excels in tough, hilly races and has a wealth of experience racing in Europe as well.

Lara Kroepsch (USA), who rode for TEAm Lipton for the past two years, brings added sprinting strength as well as solid stage race experience. Kroepsch is a two-time Collegiate National Criterium Champion, with numerous podium spots in major NRC races.

Chrissy Ruiter, who rode for Cheerwine in 2007, garnered podium spots at the 2007 Athens Criterium and the Tri-Peaks Challenge. Ruiter’s experience racing with the US National Team in Europe, and her strong, aggressive style of racing, will benefit the team.

Nicole Evans (USA), who also rode for TEAm Lipton in 2007, is another strong stage race rider, having won both the 2006 High Uintas Classic and the Elkhorn Classic stage races. Evans was also 3rd place on GC at the 2007 Valley of the Sun Stage Race.

Marni Hambleton (CAN), who rode for Symmetrics in 2007, won the silver medal at the 2007 Canadian National Road Race. Hambleton also guest rode for the ValueAct Capital Team for several stage races in 2007.

Katie Mactier (ValueAct Capital) and Katharine Carroll of Aarons Pro on a flyer at Mt. Hood. Photo © Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

Katie Mactier, who has already garnered two gold medals in the Individual Pursuit at the Sydney and Beijing World Cup Track events, will be racing with the squad, beginning in May. “I’m super excited to be hooking up with the girls again for another US road season. This year we are a bigger team and hungry to make our mark,” commented Mactier.

2008 VAC Roster
Sharon Allpress
Hannah Banks (Australia)
Courtenay Brown
Katie Mactier (Australia)
Martina Patella
Taitt Sato
New for 2008
Nicole Evans
Leah Goldstein
Marni Hambleton (Canada)
Lara Kroepsch
Chrissy Ruiter
Team Director: Lisa Hunt

The team will be contesting a full NRC schedule for 2008, kicking off the season with the Santa Rosa Women’s Grand Prix on February 18th. Prior to that, the team will hold their training camp in Healdsburg, California the week of February 11th.

About ValueAct Capital: ValueAct Capital is one of the premiere value-investment 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 very excited to sponsor a dedicated, talented cycling team that embodies the firm’s own work ethic and drive for success.

Other Sponsors:
Blue Competition Bicycles: www.rideblue.com
Columbia Sportswear: www.columbia.com
DeFeet: www.defeet.com
Fi’zi:k: www.fizik.it
Michelin: www.michelin.com
Pictura Graphics: www.picturagraphics.com 
PowerBar: www.powerbar.com
Reynolds: www.reynoldscycling.com
Ritchey Design, Inc.: www.ritcheylogic.com
Rudy Project: www.rudyprojectusa.com
Time Sport: www.time-sport.com
TRP Brakes: www.trpbrakes.com
Voler: www.voler.com
For more information regarding the team, visit www.teamvalueactcapital.com