Dirty Girls

It's December 14, 2003, and I'm at the USCF Cyclocross Nationals, Portland Oregon. The weather conditions here are wet and rainy, and the PIR race course has turned into thick, deep mud, in the consistency many call "peanut butter". Racers can sink as much as 8 inches racing on the course, as spectators sink similarly when walking around.

The course consists of a flat one mile loop, offset with a short power climb, then followed by another climb that is more gradual. There are one set of barriers and 5-6 runs per lap; 6 runs depending if the rider's strengths are suited more towards running than powering through the mud.

For this year's Nationals, Saturn is the title sponsor, and other companies who have set up booths to endorse their product and the event include: Specialized, Time, VeloNews, Clif Bar, Cannondale, Redline, Giant, and Trek. An estimated 3,000 people are also here to support the race.

In the Elite Women's race, 40 riders enter the field, among them 2001 Mountain Bike World Champion Allison Dunlap, 2002 Cyclocross National Champion Anne Knapp, and 2003 UCI Cyclocross points leader, Carmen D'Aluisio, seen flying by in the photo below.
Carmen
At 35 years old, D'Aluisio is one of America's top cyclocross racers, and plans to retire after this season's World Championships. They will be held in Pont-Chateau, France on February 1, 2004. D'Aluisio is sponsored by Clif Bar, Empella, Cyclocrossworld.com, Marmot, Cane Creek, Giro, and Yakima.

During the Women's race, it was Clif Bar teammate Gina Hall who set a fast pace in the start, eventually taking Dunlap, and Rachel Lloyd from team Redline/ Ritchey with her. By the third lap, order had been set between the riders for podium places, with Dunlap in the lead to take the victory, Lloyd 19 seconds behind for second place, as well as strong finishes from Hall for third place, D'Aluisio for fourth place, and Knapp for fifth place.

Here is an interview with D'Aluisio following the race:

Erin: Are you happy with your result at Nationals?

Carmen: I got a good start off the line, but when we went off the track and into the dirt, I lost contact with the group of three. A small gap opened, and I couldn't close it at that point. I had a slow start, but after a couple laps, I was riding a lot stronger. I am happy with the way I rode, and I am happy with my result.

Erin: Do you have advice for younger women pursuing pro cycling?

Carmen: It is really important to recognize the dedication and the sacrifices it takes to reach a goal like that. I think there are a lot of people, men and women, who think they would like to race professionally because it sounds romantic. But really, you have to have a lot of
inner drive, and you have to be able to sacrifice a lot of things.

You also have to focus on every part of your life, because it really affects what you do as an athlete.

I've noticed the younger women who are able to make the transition are able to see themselves as equals to the women who are at the top of their sport. They have made sacrifices, and they don't back down from challenging people in those spots. They may not be able to beat them, but they do not have that fear.

Erin: What was it like living at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center?

Carmen: Living at the OTC was a really positive experience for me. I think partly because I was a little older than the rest of the riders there. I didn't have to worry about anything except focusing on getting better as a cyclist, and I really utilized the coaching, sports medicine, physiology, and testing departments that are there. Financially it was a huge benefit because it allowed me not to worry about making rent.

It also put me in closer contact with the National team, and training with women that were the best in the Nation. It pushed me to rise to their level.

Erin: Is it possible to have a family, and a career in cycling?

Carmen: Yes, Linda Breneman was on the 1996 Olympic Road Team, and also had a family. She spent a year away prior to the Olympics, and it was hard for her to be away from her family, but that is part of the sacrifice she and her family made. Sherry Kain is another regional rider who raced at the top of her sport, and also involved her family in her racing.

Erin: What are your goals for the remainder of the season?

Carmen: I just want to go out and race hard, compete hard, and give it my best. Sure, being World Champion sounds nice, but there is a level where I have to be realistic. I know what my capabilities are, and medaling at World's would be awesome. For that to happen though, everything would have to be perfect that day.

Erin: Who have been your biggest supporters?

Carmen: My #1 supporter is my husband Chris. Without his support, and belief, and encouragement, I probably still wouldn't be competing. There is pretty much an endless list, like product sponsors, host housing, USA Cycling, the other women who I've raced with, and all the people that are in between.