Lauren Stephens on her way to Silver at Nationals, followed by our Volvo team car.
Image: Jonathan Devich
2017 RECAP: A Big Year for Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank
4 National Championship Titles • 36 Season Wins • 72 Podium Finishes
Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank wrapped up the 2017 season with some big achievements - both on and off the bike. This year, we competed on five continents, winning a total 36 races and placing on the podium 72 times in seven different countries.
In addition to racing, Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank is committed to giving back to the community and participated in a number of events like the Best Buddies Challenge, the American Heart Association’s CycleNation and Bike to Work with TIBCO Software.
Season Highlights:
Our training camp in Arizona brought some early success, with Ingrid Drexel scoring the team’s first victory of the year at the Valley of the Sun Stage Race. Kendall Ryan followed up with a win on the final stage of the event. This set the tone for more team wins to come including:
Redlands Classic — Lauren Stephens won stage 3, the iconic Highlands Circuit race.
Tour of the Gila — Lex Albrecht sprinted away from the break to win stage 2.
Winston Salem Cycling Classic – Aggressive racing by the whole team set up Lauren for a victory in the final lap.
GP Gatineau — Lauren won the individual time trial, out-pacing a competitive field.
Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour - Lex Albrecht sprinted to her first European victory in stage 2; Lauren Stephens claimed another time trial victory in stage 4.
BC Superweek — Kendall Ryan sprinted to 3 major victories during this epic week of racing in British Columbia, including the crowd-favorite Gastown Grand Prix, the UCI Tour de Delta White Spot road race and the PoCo Grand Prix.
National Championships:
Two of our riders scored double national championships this year. Ingrid Drexel is now the National Champion of Mexico in both the road race and individual time trial, and Nicolle Bruderer the National Champion of Guatemala.
At just 18 years old, our New Zealand rider Madeleine Park secured double bronze medals in the Oceania Championships.
International Results:
Three Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank riders were selected to represent their countries in the road race at the UCI World Championships in Bergen, Norway: Lex Albrecht (CAN), Ingrid Drexel (MEX) and Lauren Stephens (USA). Lauren was additionally chosen to compete in the individual time trial at Worlds, where she placed an impressive 8th place. At the prestigious La Course by Le Tour de France earlier in the year, Lauren claimed another top 10 finish, finishing 7th in both the one-day event for the women and the unique pursuit-style time trial held in Marseilles for the top 20 riders.
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Working Together to Achieve Goals
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Solid teamwork helped achieve these accomplishments, whether in strategically setting up the winning move or doing a lead-out for the sprint. After a season of working together, riders begin anticipating each others actions, effectively communicating with just a single word or motion. Even team dinners became an efficient act of camaraderie - pizza tastes best when hand tossed.
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Community Engagement: Success on and off the bike.
In addition to racing, Team TIBCO - Silicon Valley Bank participated in over 25 charity rides and community events around the country and the world, including hosting a number of discussions on diversity, inclusiveness and women in sports with Silicon Valley Bank and TIBCO Software.
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When in China to race the Tour of Chongming Island, the team led a ride for Shanghai-based Silicon Valley Bank employees and colleagues and hosted a pre-ride discussion on teamwork and cycling for fitness.
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Later in the year, the team visited Silicon Valley Bank's London office and led a ride and Q&A for local employees and partners.
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In Connecticut, Linda Jackson (Team Founder), Ed Beamon (Sports Director), Ingrid Drexel and Lauren Stephens joined Navigators Insurance and 2,500 other riders at the 40th annual Bloomin' Metric Charity ride.
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Linda, Kendall Ryan, Jennifer Tetrick and Lindsay Myers supported Silicon Valley Bank at the Best Buddies Challenge in September, where event participants helped raise an impressive $4.5 million to support Best Buddies programs. Jennifer and Lindsay additionally participated in the American Heart Association's inaugural CycleNation ride, which raises funds and awareness for preventing heart disease and stroke through healthy activity.
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With an emphasis on empowering community involvement and increasing opportunities for women, the team hosted the Silicon Valley Cycling Foundation’s 7th annual Cycling Gala in May, featuring cycling legends Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen and Bob Roll, in addition to our own incredible athletes.
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The event was a tremendous success and sets the framework for an exciting international racing calendar in 2018. Stay tuned for information regarding our 8th annual cycling Gala coming up in 2018 during the Tour of California!
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Finally, the team supported long time team member Patricia Schwager in her efforts to become a qualified UCI Sports Director. Under Patricia’s guidance the team raced to a top 10 overall result at the Tour of Chongming Island - a UCI Women’s World Tour event.
Thank you to our Partners & Supporters
Cycling is a team sport. Just as we can't win alone on the race course, we can't have a winning season without incredible partners, including TIBCO Software, Silicon Valley Bank and Navigators Insurance, who share our passion for excellence, increasing opportunities for women in sport and promoting healthy communities through cycling.
Thank you to TIBCO, Silicon Valley Bank, Navigators, along with Fuji Bikes, Edco Wheels, Rudy Project, Voler Apparel, Lagunitas and an incredible list of industry supporters and fans for a great 2017!
Learn more about our incredible partners here.
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