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Women on a mission: The ValueAct Capital team

By Kathie Reid
Published: Feb. 24, 2009
Women on a mission: the full team.
Women on a mission: the full team.
Photo: Garrett Lau

The women of ValueAct Capital are on a mission. Of course, winning races is primary. “My goal is to be one of the top three teams,” team director Lisa Hunt said at their February 10-18 training camp in Healdsburg, California. “We were top five last year. I’m confident we can be one of the top three this year.”

Now in their fourth year, though, their mission has expanded. “We’re really out there to promote women’s cycling,” said Sharon Allpress, a racer on the team since 2007. “Not just to promote it, but to help it grow.”

Hunt, aptly nicknamed “The Huntress,” has two new weapons for growing women’s cycling. She’s established a partnership with the United States Women’s Cycling Development Program (USWCDP), and another partnership with Specialized, their official bike, shoe, helmet, and optics sponsor.

Giving and receiving through the USWCDP

Women on a mission: Kristin McGrath leads the 13-woman break.
Women on a mission: Kristin McGrath leads the 13-woman break.
Photo: Garrett Lau

USWCDP is a not-for-profit grassroots organization begun by former professional racer Michael Engleman.

“The whole concept of USWCDP has been to foster the development of women’s cycling, provide resources for development and talent, identifying and getting them the support they need to get to the next level,” Hunt explained. The organization relies on various resources solicited by Engleman, as well as sponsorship to assist their development cyclists.

“These riders may need help with travel, coaching, legal services, etc. … He has a whole list of elite cyclists that he taps into as mentors, as well … We will tap into his riders as guest riders for races where we potentially don’t have a full team. It’s almost like a farm team,” she said.

A USWCDP development cyclist until signing her first pro contract, Allpress still receives advice from Engleman. “The partnership will be an opportunity to bring on guest riders — newer racers — and give them an opportunity,” she said. “There’s not enough spots (on pro teams) for all the talent that’s out there … Partnering with him enables a way to get them into those spots when teams have injuries or illnesses. For a new rider, this is a great way to figure out if this is what they want to do without having to commit to a full year.”

Women on a mission: ValueAct Capital has entered into a unique product sponsorship with Specialized.
Women on a mission: ValueAct Capital has entered into a unique product sponsorship with Specialized.
Photo: Kathie Reid

She explained that it’s also a good way for the team to determine if the rider would “fit.” “It could easily turn into a contract. I think it’s just a win-win situation.”

Kristin McGrath is a new addition to ValueAct Capital’s roster, in her second season racing professionally. Soccer injuries brought her to collegiate cycling for Fort Lewis College, where she was taking medical school prerequisites.

She met Engleman through a mutual acquaintance and he took her under USWCDP’s wing. Though McGrath had just hoped to guest ride in the 2008 season, Engleman was confident that she was ready to be on a pro team. “He contacted Colavita, and they basically agreed to take a chance on me … His program works because his opinion is respected.”

McGrath had an impressive first professional season, taking second at the Mogollon stage at Tour of the Gila (behind new ValueAct teammate and overall winner, Leah Goldstein), winning stage 1 of the Fitchburg-Longsjo stage race, and riding with the U.S. National Team at the Giro di Toscana. ]

“Overall, I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for the development program,” McGrath insisted. “I’d probably be in medical school (which she’s put on hold for the time being) by now. I wouldn’t have given up, but it would have gotten expensive (to guest ride).”

She also feels the benefits of Engleman’s working closely with Hunt, explaining that they just worked together to get her an SRM that will work with their new team equipment. “It’s great when I have a million things on my plate that I have Michael to do these things,” she said.

The Intimidation Factor

Hunt’s second tool for promoting women’s cycling involves product sponsor, Specialized. Working with Specialized dealers in cities across the country, her racers will conduct an ongoing series of women’s-specific clinics in their hometowns, as well as cities where they race. In preparation, training camp included a day at Specialized’s corporate offices in Morgan Hill, where the team got bike fits and learned the intricacies of their products and equipment.

Additionally, representatives from tire sponsor Michelin visited one evening to explain the history of the company — including the skinny on the Michelin Man — and technical information about their tires. And on the sixth day of camp while their teammates were racing in the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium in Santa Rosa (where McGrath and Robin Farina placed in the top 10), Goldstein and Courtenay Brown began putting the information to use on a group ride with local shop Norcal Bike Sport.

Through the clinics, the ValueAct Capital women hope to get rid of “the intimidation factor” for women when it comes to entering bike shops and the sport.

Women on a mission: Emily Zell, Chrissy Ruiter, Kristin McGrath, Nicole Evans, and Courtenay Brown pose with Tom Boonen.
Women on a mission: Emily Zell, Chrissy Ruiter, Kristin McGrath, Nicole Evans, and Courtenay Brown pose with Tom Boonen.
Photo: Scott Zwizanski

“Once you get past that,” Hunt said, “it’s such a low impact sport, and it’s easy for women to get into … Women are very open to recommendations, and women have buying power. And I think the growth in the cycling industry is with women.”

She said this is why Specialized invests so much in their Designs for Women line. “They put as much science and technology behind their women’s products as they do their men’s.”

Pointing to Kristin Armstrong’s Olympic gold medal and Amber Neben’s world championship medal, Hunt said, “I’ve watched the growth of women’s cycling in the U.S. … I don’t want to just be another team. I want to get well-deserved recognition for women’s cycling, creating a positive experience and force for women. … We’re taking time to learn about product, we’re helping our sponsors with product development, and doing these clinics. It’s not about the name on the jersey, it’s about creating relationships with the customer.”

And as for Hunt’s aspirations to be a top three team? She’s compiled a roster of 10 women, led by Israeli national road and time trial champion, Goldstein. Seven of the riders, including Goldstein, were on the roster last year: Allpress; Courtenay Brown, Nicole Evans, Martina Patella, Chrissy Ruiter, and Emily Zell. McGrath is new to the roster, as are Robin Farina and Kristin Sanders.

“My goal for 2009 was to find a squad who could do battle at every kind of race, and win. Or get podium,” she said. “I think I’ve achieved that goal.”

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