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Ramsden returns to Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies in 2013

Road champ juggles pro cycling and studies

Canadian road champion Denise Ramsden has signed with Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies for the 2013 season. The Yellowknife-native spoke about her breakout season winning nationals and racing at the London Olympics, all while striving to complete her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of British Columbia.

“It can all get a bit overwhelming at times,” Ramsden told Canadian Cycling Magazine. “In my second year of school, I didn’t write my final exams until July because I was racing in Europe. Then I started my third year off by missing the first month and writing mid-term exams right after flying back from Australia. I barely went to any of my classes.”

How does the 22-year-old race at the highest level of elite women’s bike racing all over the world and succeed in her studies at the same time? Ramsden says it’s something that can be accomplished with support from family, friends, team management and professors.

“It’s definitely doable,” Ramsden said. “I’ve had a lot of support from the university with taking exams with me on trips or deferring them. I think if you look around the women’s peloton, there are a lot of people juggling school, work and families, so it’s possible. In some respects, I think it helps to have something else going on so cycling doesn’t seem like the be-all and end-all; although, having a little more time would be nice.”

Ramsden spends her competitive season split between racing in Europe and North America. She has excelled in criteriums, time trials and road races in the U.S. and Canada. She hopes to improve her skills in top-level international events and world cups.

“I think the two hardest aspects about racing in Europe are the number of competitors that are at a high level and the narrow roads used for the courses,” Ramsden said. “Racing in North America can be hard and all-out. It’s a completely different ball game in Europe where you have up to 200 strong girls fighting for position on a goat-path road.

“It becomes not just about your fitness, but your bike handling and positioning skills, and being fearlessness. We also have to deal with being in a foreign environment.”

Ramsden will join her teammates for an opening training camp at the start of the new year.

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