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Mari Holden to be inducted into US Bicycling Hall of Fame

  • Ron 

TWENTY16 Ridebiker director Mari Holden will be inducted into the U.S Bicycling Hall of Fame in November in Davis, California. The honorees represent several disciplines within the sport of cycling. The inductees are Mari Holden (Modern Road & Track Competitor), Steve Larsen (Off-Road Competitor), Leigh Barczewski (Veteran Road & Track Competitor), and Robin Morton (Contributor to the Sport).

“I was so surprised to receive the news that I was elected into the US Cycling Hall of Fame. It was completely unexpected and out of the blue. I have not been this overcome with emotion since I won my first National Championship in 1995. I am absolutely overwhelmed with the full circle of my cycling career. I feel blessed and humbled to have my name alongside my idols, the legends Rebecca Twigg, Inga Thompson, and Connie Carpenter,” commented Holden. ” I also feel incredibly grateful to be listed in history with my friend of over 20 years Alison Dunlap. We were all pioneers not only in cycling but in Women’s sport. My philosophy has always been to focus on the task at hand and do every task to the greatest of my ability. I have also always done my best to choose what is right over what is easy.

“Now as a director of TWENTY16 Ridebiker cycling team my goal is to see our girls succeed in pursuing their dreams. I want to lead by example and let them understand that we aren’t entitled to anything. We work and focus and win because we are willing to do the hard work that other people aren’t willing to do. Some call it sacrifice, but I call it opportunity. When I was told that I received this award it absolutely brought tears to my eyes. I never did this sport for awards or accolades. I did it to see what I could achieve if I gave everything I had. They say greatness is many small tasks done well every day. Reaching for your dreams is an everyday commitment. I struggled, persevered and was rewarded in ways that money could never buy. This recognition by my peers is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I’m looking forward to celebrating with my team, my family and friends at the induction ceremony in November.”

Mari Holden is in her third season with TWENTY16 and is looking forward to 2017 when the team will be named TWENTY20 with an eye on 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

“Long time friend and former TWENTY16 team member Jessica Phillips and I spoke to Mari several years ago at Amgen Tour of California about coming back to the sport of women’s cycling,”  commented TWENTY16 General Manager, Nicola Cranmer. “The timing wasn’t right but I do think it planted a seed. We both knew that she has years of experience and accomplishment that she could share with a new generation of cyclists. Eventually she agreed to come on board as team director. It’s not an easy sport to commit to, it takes dedication to stay in women’s cycling, so i applaud anyone that chooses to and am grateful for the continued mentorship Mari provides to the next champion female athletes.”

Induction weekend will be held in early November in Davis and features a celebration of American cycling. The public is welcomed to join Bicycling Hall of Fame members, cycling industry leaders and cycling enthusiasts for a Club Ride on the morning of the induction ceremony which takes place that evening. For information, please visit: www.usbhof.org

About Mari

Mari got her first race bike when she was 12 years old and raced triathlons until she was 20. In 1991, she was awarded the Junior Athlete of the Year by the Triathlon Federation. She made the switch to Cycling in 1993. She was selected to the National Team in her first season and raced the Gran Boucle (Women’s Tour De France) as her third stage race. She suffered an early season ending crash in 1994 that motivated her to come back stronger in 1995. She bounced back to her first National Championship win in the National Championship Time Trial that year in Seattle. She was not selected to the World Championship team despite winning the TT by a large margin and having 3 available spots. She opted to set National Record in 40k TT in Moriarty in 51:36.

In 1996 despite winning both time trials in the 5 race Olympic trials, she was not selected to the US Olympic Team in Atlanta. Heartbroken, she regrouped and with support of her family and friends she moved to Europe to race on a German team Euregio Egrensis in Greitz.  She then made the move to Italy with the Acca Due O team as a part of the winning squad for Primavera Rosa (Milan San Remo) and also the Gran Boucle (Women’s Tour de France).  In 2000 she returned to the US to be on an American team in the Olympic year. She raced for Timex Cannondale and was ultimately selected to the Olympic team. In 2001 she returned to Italy and raced with the Alfa Lum team to help win another Grand Boucle (Tour de France) with Joanne Sommaribba. She finished her career on T-Mobile.

Athletic Highlights:

  • Olympic Silver Medal 2000, Time Trial. Sydney, Australia
  • World Champion Time Trial 2000 Plouay, France
  • 5x US National Champion Time Trial (’95, ’96, ’97, ’99, 2000)
  • 1x National Champion Road Race (’99, 2nd ’98)
  • Mountain Jerseys in major stage races including Giro d’Italia, Thuringen Ruhndfahrt, Tour de Snowy (AUS), Women’s Challenge (USA), Core States Philadelphia  Classic.
  • 1st New York City Grand Prix (T-Mobile)
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