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Team News #7 - Meet The Team

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The Donnelly Professional Cyclocross Team had an awesome start to the season collecting several wins, numerous podium appearances and earning some great exposure for our new brand and sponsors!

The team took a hiatus from the UCI racing circuit this past weekend, so we thought we'd do short Q and A with each rider so you can get to know them a bit better. The team will be traveling to Cincinnati, Ohio this weekend for two days of racing at the Cincy CX Festival. 


Laurel Rathbun

Birthday? May 10, 1996

Where are you from and where do you live now? I grew up in Colorado Springs, but now go to school at Marian Univeristy in Indianapolis, IN.

When you’re not riding your bicycle what would you likely be doing? If I am not riding or in school I’d likely be going on some kind of adventure with my best friend and roommate Emily Neice. We aren’t good at sitting still!

If you could describe cyclocross in 5 words what would they be?

C- cycling & R- running O- on S- slippery S- surfaces

Why cyclocross for you? It first started when I was about 9 years old after my older brother Rhys and my dad found out about it. They told me there were no other young girls doing it and so naturally I had to try it! In my head I was guaranteed a medal, but this plan backfired on me. After I raced with the junior boys I went on a search for my medal and the race promoter told me they didn’t have one for me because they didn’t expect any girls to show up. I had a great time doing it and continued to race regardless of not getting any medals! Now 12 years later I still race because I love it. I love the crowds, the atmosphere and the opportunity cyclocross provides - especially for young women getting the chance to race World Cups and travel and race in Europe.

What are your main goals for the 2017-2018 season? This is my last year in the U23 category and my main goals are a podium at the Pan-Am Championship in Louisville, KY, a podium spot at Nationals in Reno, NV and to make the Worlds Team.

What is your favorite cyclocross race course in the US? Hmmm, that's a tough one. I think Jingle Cross has been my favorite especially when it was in November. The conditions were always epic and the crowd there is always awesome. Devou Park in Cincinnati is a great one, too!

Favorite food? I’ll give you Top 5

1. Bacon 2. Sweet potatoes 3. Pineapple 4. Smoked salmon 5. Peanut butter

Coffee or tea? Coffee for sure.

Espresso or latte? I used to be a latte person but I’m slowly switching over to the espresso side.

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Dark chocolate 

Favorite music? I go through phases. Right now I love country music.

Favorite book? Gone Girl

Favorite movie? August Rush

Where do you want to go that you have not been to yetGreece!

Morning person or night owl? Neither a morning person nor a night owl. I love getting 10+ hours of sleep - which is really hard to do in college!

Lance Haidet

Birthday? December 23, 1997

Where are you from and where do you live now?  I am from and currently live in San Luis Obispo, California, but I do still consider Bend, Oregon as my second home. I lived in Bend for 10 years, and it is definitely the birthplace of my cycling career. 

When you’re not riding your bicycle what would you likely be doing? When I’m not riding I’m most likely studying, in class, or making/drinking coffee. Pretty exciting, huh?

If you could describe cyclocross in 5 words what would they be?  Power, Finesse, Suffering, Glory, Braap

Why cyclocross for you? Cyclocross is for me because the racing, training, and the scene, in general, is all really fun. It is a discipline of cycling that requires a well rounded athlete, not just a power house. 

What are your main goals for the 2017-2018 season?  My main goals for this season are to move into the top 10 of UCI ranked riders in the USA, defend my U23 National Championship title, and finish top 15 at U23 World Championships. 

What is your favorite cyclocross race course in the US? My favorite course is probably Devou Park, which has been the Pan-Ams course the past few years in Cincinnati, OH. My favorite venue however, is probably Jingle Cross because of all the incredible spectators.

Favorite food? Soppressata Pizza, topped with a whole bunch of arugula. 

Coffee or tea? Coffee all the way! 

Espresso or latte? I do like the occasional latte, but I’d go for espresso or an Americano 95% of the time. 

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? I think I’m more of dark chocolate kind of guy. It makes me think that I’m at least trying to be a little bit healthy...

Favorite music? I'm sort all over the page when it comes to music. I typically listen to solid mix of Rap, EDM, and Grunge/Rock. 

Favorite book?  Young and Freedman’s University Physics?… Not really, but I feel like thats all I read anymore. But honestly, one of my favorite books is Ender’s Game. 

Favorite movie? It sort of depends on the mood, but its probably a toss-up between Nacho Libre and Interstellar 

Where do you want to go that you have not been to yet? I really want to go to Italy. The riding, the food, the history, the culture, and the cars all seem pretty awesome!

Morning person or night owl? I am much more of an early morning person. I just feel way more productive and motivated in the morning.

Jamey Driscoll

Birthday? 11/11/86

Where are you from and where do you live now? I'm from Jericho, Vermont, but now residing in Park City, Utah.

When you’re not riding your bicycle what would you likely be doing? Being a dad, working on the house, or skiing.  These days, in that order.

If you could describe cyclocross in 5 words what would they be? Fun. Challenging. Rewarding. Intense. Captivating.

Why cyclocross for you? It's an amazing combination of fitness and skill. I strive to be good at both, so it's a natural fit.

What are your main goals for the 2017-2018 season? I'd like to get as many UCI C1 race podiums as possible and win the National Championships! 

What is your favorite cyclocross race course in the US? It doesn’t get any more picturesque than Gloucester, MA., but I would have to say the most fun and challenging course to is the one at Devou Park in Cincinnati, OH.

Favorite food? Oh man, that's not fair. I guess my mom's Thanksgiving feast.

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Espresso or latte? I'm fairly new to the coffee thing, so lattes for now.

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? DARK!

Favorite music? I'm pretty open minded, but I favor the Grateful Dead if I'm going to chill out and work on bikes for a while.

Favorite book? Not really a book worm, so Graham Watson's 20 Years of Cycling Photography...does that qualify?

Favorite movie? That's tough, so let's go with The Shawshank Redemption

Where do you want to go that you have not been to yet? Many, some will happen, and some probably won't, but hear goes: Glacier National Park, Skiing in Alaska and British Columbia, Nepal, New Zealand...I'll stop there.

Morning person or night owl? More on the night owl side right now.