We normally hold off reporting our athletes' race results until the monthly newsletter but we just could not hold ourselves back on this one. Lisa Tepper who has recently been upgraded to Cat 3 won the first Cat 3 race she entered, Wente Vineyards Classic Criterium. This was a crazy fast race that did have a couple of crashes, but we are just so proud of Lisa and her first Cat 3 win.

We had been planning to run this testimonial from Lisa in the May newsletter, but we thought that given her recent win, we wanted to run a special addition for this. Please enjoy a little input from Giana and then some comments from Lisa.

Lisa Tepper just won the Wente Vineyards Classic Criterium and her previous criterium at the Madera Stage Race in March 2010. She overcame a horrific crash in 2004 that left her with a broken pelvis. Since her return to racing she has done nothing but kick butt. She is fast AND she is smart.

I simply can't ask for more out of a coach than what I get from Giana. I truly believe bicycle racing is predominantly a Type A personality sport. Most athletes in this sport are uber accomplished professionally, personally and demand a lot of themselves athletically as well. Naturally, when you ask that much of yourself, you need someone who is a step ahead of you as a coach. Well, Giana is leaps and bounds ahead of me, well, anyone really, when it comes to cycling. In the world of cycling she has been it, done it, seen it, lived it. There's never a question I've asked that she hasn't had the answer to, and then some.

As a Women's Category 4, there have honestly been times when I've felt that "I'm not worthy" to have her as my coach. But don't get me wrong, I'd can't imagine racing without her as my coach, she's my secret weapon. She motivates me, pushes me...even scares me a little bit at times (but in a good way). She's simply the best out there.

If you have any questions regarding our coaching programs, please contact Giana Roberge.