I started off-road in 1995; got on the track in 1998. Coming from the trail was a plus. I was fearless and had good bike handling skills from the start.

It says the USA National Team on my license, so I’ll go with that! The guys at BA Bicycles hooked me up with my Teschner. I need to find other avenues of funding, though. Do you know anyone looking for a female track sprinter with world-class aspirations?

Nah. I’ve learned a ton and enjoy racing Masters events, but I feel like I’ve done everything I wanted to at that level for now.

I went 11.84 in the 200M. Hitting the Talent Pool time standard last week earned me a trip to Manchester. All the folks at USA Cycling—Clay, Colby, Des, and Pat—were psyched to see me go sub-12.00. It was pretty cool.

Definitely. I stopped taking on new work, left Pennsylvania and moved to California for the winter. I’ve been training with Jennie (Reed) at the ADT Center since December. She’s an amazing mentor and friend. She’s helped me improve so much—what I eat, how I lift, my approach to training and racing. I’m also working with Roger Young, and guys like Travis Smith and Adam Duvendeck; so I’m in good company, with gifted athletes and fast rabbits to chase.

This is the first I’ve been able to commit full time, so the biggest difference is that external work stress and fatigue are no longer part of the equation. The quality of my training has increased, and I pay more attention to diet and rest, as well.

I’m actually not new to elite racing. I was on the podium in the Match Sprint in 2002 and the Match Sprint and 500M in 2003. I also scored 3 Masters National titles in the Match Sprint, Points Race and 500M in 2003. I got into the sport at the same time my career took off, so I started racing Masters events to compete on a level playing field.

I won my first Masters Worlds title in the 500M in 2004, and placed 4th in the Match Sprint. I went back to Manchester last year for the double, and won both the Match Sprint and 500M. I also set a new 35-39 world record in the 500M. That gave me the impetus to partner with Jennie in the Team Sprint at elite nats, which we won. I also got silver in the Match Sprint and 500M at elite nationals last year. My coach, Ben Sharp, helped me build a good endurance base to work from. On the track, Jack Simes oversaw all my speed work and helped me with tactics. The combination worked for me and I had a great season.

I’m just psyched to be racing for the US at the elite level! It does take a HUGE unknown out of the mix going to a track I’m familiar with.

I think it’s going to be like one big slumber party. We'll dress Bobby and Brad up in goofy clothes and dare them to do funny things.

USA Cycling doesn’t technically support a women’s sprint program right now, which is why I jumped at the chance to train with Jennie and Roger Young this winter. Once you’re at an event, USAC provides coaching support, food per diem, hotel accommodations, massage and mechanical support—all of which is awesome. I’ve always found the coaching and support staff to be helpful and encouraging. The way it works is that if you meet the time standards, then USA Cycling will provide you with opportunities to race. But it’s still up to me to prepare and support myself financially to compete at this level.

I have my health, my husband—who’s my #1 soigneur and mechanic; where we live, what I do, and most of my friends are a direct result of my love for riding my bike . . . so I’ve already gotten a lot out of this sport.

My overriding goal has always been to reach my potential as an athlete. If that takes me to the elite World Championships or the Olympic Games, I’ll have even more to be grateful for.

You should see what Julia Cross is doing here at the ADT Center. She holds a Ladies’ Only Day where gals get time on the boards without guys whizzing by. It removes the intimidation factor and makes the track more approachable for women if they can get over the initial rough spots in a supportive environment. Short of cloning Julia Cross, we could export her program to all the velodromes across the country.

Believe in yourself, do what you enjoy 'cause you're more likely to be good at it, and race as much as possible. Oh! And get a copy of No Brakes! Bicycle Track Racing in the United States. There’s a ton of great knowledge in that book.

The interviews are great; the track ticker—very cool; the forums, the coffee shop of the online opinionated set. I think you capture the vibe of the sport quite well and provide a much needed home for our people.