Nebraska Cycling News

Des Moines , IA - One of the newest teams to emerge from the Iowa bike racing scene is the Punk Rock Cycling Women’s Team. The team is directed by Donny Quixote, a former bike messenger turned cycling coach.

PRC boasts an impressive 6-woman roster that includes some of the strongest riders in the Midwest as well as up-and-coming category IV stars. In the women’s elite field Jane Riessen, Iowa ’s current road race and criterium state champion, is joining forces with Jennifer Greenberg. In 2007 Riessen won over 25 races in the Midwest while Greenberg did her very first season based in Chicago and quickly climbed the ranks landing many podiums and gold medals along the way. For 2008 the two have set a very challenging calendar including the Joe Martin Stage Race, Nature Valley Grand Prix, Superweek, and four different national championship events.

In the women’s category IV field PRC has found some of the strongest women in Iowa ; Kelli Mente, Emily Schaapveld, Maria Ruhtenberg, and Ana Nelson. While these four riders may not have built a strong cycling resume yet, they have already established themselves as a force to contend with in the coming year.

PRC will be hosting a slew of races as well as social events including five weeknight criteriums, three duathlons, two cyclocross races, their own version of Goldsprints, at least one alleycat. Adding to that PRC has claimed squatter’s rights to hosting the after-party at the Burlington Road Race over Memorial Day Weekend and UCI Jingle Cross Rock Cyclocross Race in November.

For their road racing, all of the girls on PRC will be riding the S-Works Ruby SL from Specialized, the top tier race rig designed especially for women. Each bike is equipped with Shimano DuraAce components and wheels. The girls will also be using the newest women-specific sport eyewear from Oakley, as well as helmets, gloves, and shoes built in the Specialized Designs for Women department.

The Elder Corporation is the primary backer for the PRC team. Elder Corporation is a Pleasant Hill based company specializing in earth moving, demolition, and utilities. Other sponsors include Rasmussen Bike Shop, Wexford & James, RBS Safety Training, Harlot Clothing, Firehouse Yoga, Yankee Doodle Dandy Tattoo, and Hands On Sports Massage.

To learn more about the Punk Rock Cycling Women's Team visit their website at http://www.punkrockcycling.com