VeloPista Media

How did you get started in racing?

I started cycling as cross training for inline speed skating. I was a speed skater for 7 years and raced professionally for 3. I competed in two world championships, one in Argentina, 2022 and the other in Italy, 2023. After a 24th place finish in Italy I was motivated to work towards a world championship title, in skating. The 2024 season began with the European Cup in Geisingen, Germany. I was there training for 2 weeks, feeling very strong on the track. The first day of racing came around and I qualified for the 10k points race final. The final was going great, I was in top position for a solid placement in the race until I clipped skates and crashed. This crash resulted in a major concussion along with a few stitches in my chin. I was off skates for 3 months after being rushed back to the United States to receive proper health care.

Since I couldn’t train due to my concussion I missed out on the 2024 Team USA trials. This opened up my summer because I was no longer traveling to races or preparing for the World Championships. So, I decided to register for some bike races and it was all lust from there. I fell in love with this new sport and decided to be a beginner all over again, giving up skating and seeing what cycling has in store for me.

Road, gravel, or mountain biking?

I prefer riding the road but I have recently dipped my toe in the water with gravel, taking the Florida state champion title finishing solo with a 6 minute gap.

How did last season go for you - highs and lows?

The last season went well for me considering I joined the sport when the season was more than half way over. I had a cat 3 win at the Florida state road race championships along with a 2nd place in age group. I have been on the podium in every race I’ve done so far. 

What's next for you on the race calendar?

The next race I plan to compete in is Valley of the Sun stage race in Phoenix Arizona February 14-16.

What's the one thing you want people to know about you?

Do you need to get your gravel legs going, but there’s still snow on the ground in your part of the world? Come down to the Florida Everglades for the second edition of Gravel Miami, happening February 4th, 2023. This area of South Florida has quickly become a gravel destination in its own right, and Gravel Miami is its premier event.

Gravel Miami was held for the first time in 2022, and attracted riders and racers of all levels. Alison Tetrick, aka the Queen of Gravel, Brennan Wertz and Anthony Carter from Scuderia Pinarello, Olympic medalist Mari Holden, and the team from Velocio // Exploro were among the pros out racing for the podium top step.

“The early February event is a pre-season test for those aspiring to compete in the Unbound event and others,” reveals Kevin Abbate of ESPtiming, the team behind Gravel Miami. “Most use it as a vacation to get away from the cold.” Abbate is no stranger to racing, having put together multiple state cycling championships and successfully competing in a few himself.

 Not a racer? No need to worry, there are three course distances offered this year: 36, 56, and 107 miles, to accommodate any level or type of rider.

“We never call it a race,” says Abbate. “But an experience. It’s one of the few times riders can see the Everglades up front, and visit a biological wonder of the world.” No matter which course length you choose, you will be riding through an incredible river of grass that is not found anywhere else in the world.

The course for 2023 is all new, adding an area called Frog Pond, and promising more mud and grass sections. You can cruise through it all and enjoy the wild scenery, or you can test your legs against some of the best national – and local – talent, and maybe even earn one of the top three category spots.

If you are ready to race, bring everything you’ve got. Expect to see some of South Florida’s GOATs out on the course (you all know who you are), and lots of top talent from around the country coming down here for Gravel Miami. Confirmed riders include Brazilian/American pro mountain bike and gravel racer, Stefano Barberi, and Unbound veteran Danielle Larson, coming in from Arizona.

How did you get started in racing?

I’m still fairly new with racing, but I’ve been into sports ever since I was little. But, what really started it all was when I moved here to Florida in May 2020. I met Rane and Edelle from Miami Fruit and they are both cyclists. That’s what really got me into the sport. I did indoor spin classes before moving here, but I didn’t actually have my own bike. I finally got my first bike at Mack Cycle later that year and fell in love with it.

Road, gravel, or mountain biking?

I prefer riding road, but I still like gravel and am looking forward to racing in the next gravel season. But, what I’m really loving right now is racing in triathlons.

How did last season go for you – highs and lows?

Last season I did not do much. I was just training. I did a time trial and ended up getting first place… but I was also the only girl in my age group. I also competed in my first triathlon recently with Mack Cycle and got first for my age group as well…. unfortunately I was also the only girl in my age group.

That was definitely one of the lows of racing. Where is the competition? Hahaha

What’s next for you on the race calendar?

Up next on the calendar for this year is the Augusta Iron Man 70.3 in September. Also, Miami Man with Mack Cycle in November and Tri Key West with Mack Cycle in December. Hopefully, I will get some gravel and road races in-between the triathlons as well.

What’s the one thing you want people to know about you?

How did you get started in racing?

It all started with criterium racing in 2017 back when Kevin Abbate (ESP Timing) had his races in Tradewinds Park. A friend of mine suggested I join him to race and ever since I fell in love with the adrenaline of it and haven’t stopped. The majority of my life I grew up playing soccer up to college which made me a competitive athlete but then found a new profound love to riding my bike and wanted to channel my competitive side to racing and accepting new challenges. I was addicted to observing my progress and improvements.

Road, Gravel, or Mountain Biking?

I have raced in all three disciplines but after this past season, I began to drift more towards racing on the trails. As of now, my heart is set on racing MTB and this will be my main focal point. So far I have raced in road (CAT3) and MTB (Sport 19-29). I have proudly raced for several teams such as Interior Elementz (Alpha Cycling) from 2019 to 2020. As well as VivoSeaside from 2020 to 2021. I am currently with my personal sponsor 3R Cycling Experience since 2022. I’ve been more than grateful to be able to race and be well supported by these teams.

How did last season go for you – highs and lows?

Last season was different for me, I raced the hill top series by ESP Timing which was my one and only win on the road bike. I had a bad accident and desperately had to wait for new parts therefore putting me on standby to race on the road again. This incident is what brought me closer to my journey in MTB. As I started this journey, I began with a pretty bad crash that fractured my hip and couldn’t ride for a little over a month. Once I recovered I had two months before the Florida State Championship series started. I had a rocky start but after my 6th race I won (2 in the same weekend) and started to gain confidence. After those wins the rest was history,  I ended up winning the State Championship in the Base 19-39 category and the Coconut Cup series.

What’s next for you on the race calendar?

Excitingly enough, next race will be the Florida State Championship Criterium on the 15th of this month. Since the main MTB season is over, I am seeking to start working alongside a coach (still searching) to build on my strengths and work on my weaknesses to reach my future goals. Another important factor would be incorporating weight training to my schedule so I can be fully ready by September for the Florida State Championship Series in my new category.

What’s the one thing you want people to know about you?

(Diego Ferradas/VeloPista Photo)

How did you get started in racing?

When I first started mountain biking, I would meet every week with a group of guys and try to keep up for as long as I could. I loved the challenge and seeing my improvement. One of the guys suggested I try a local race. I won it and I was instantly hooked. I wanted to get even better and take my riding to the next level. I grew up playing tennis tournaments so I already had a competitive nature. I went on to race and win the Florida State Championship in Cat 3, then Cat 2 the following year. When I competed in Cat 1 my first year, I was disappointed when I was finishing at the back of the pack. I luckily found help with a coach, F2 Performance Lab. That year I moved up to finish 3rd in the series, and won the title the following year. Even now I “race the boys” by comparing my times to theirs and greatly enjoy observing my progress. My goal is always to beat myself because then I know I have improved.

Road, gravel, or mountain biking?

Definitely mountain biking. I started with mountain biking, and it became my addiction. There is nothing that matches the rush of adrenaline, the feelings of accomplishment, and pure elation of riding on a trail. I love being surrounded by nature, the friendly and supportive people, and the full body workout. I did switch to road for a few years to give it a try. I learned so much about racing strategies and the importance of teamwork, and usually landed on the podium. I enjoyed the speed, tactics, and feelings of power on a sprint or attack. I also gave gravel a chance, but neither were as fun as mountain biking.

How did last season go for you – highs and lows?

2021 had some of my greatest cycling accomplishments. I started off the year on the CWA pro gravel team. I trained and traveled for gravel races in Florida and North Carolina, and got to be a part of something bigger than just myself. I also traveled many weekends to Georgia to do the SERC/GSC series and won every race, even beating a pro mountain biker. And my greatest achievement was participating in the World Cup, in Snowshoe, WV, the highest level of mountain biking besides the Olympics and World Championship. I was selected to represent the USA in the race and got to compete alongside the best women in the world. I placed 33rd and I will remember it as one of the greatest experiences in my life. The most notable low for me was when I lost the sprint finish at the Conte’s MTB Cup at West Delray. It was the first mountain bike race I didn’t win for almost 2 years, and to lose it by a wheel from a mis-timed sprint caused me to replay that moment over and over in my head. It has since fueled my drive to get even stronger.

What’s next for you on the race calendar?

With the local South Florida Coconut Season coming to a close, the next race on my radar is the Conte’s MTB Cup at Quiet Waters on April 16th. The top prize for this one is $1000 so I have been practicing the course and doing efforts specifically for this race. After that, I have no plans for the summer and am planning some trips up north to ride for fun. I plan to be back to racing at the Florida State Championship series in September.

What’s the one thing you want people to know about you? 

I think it is important for people to remember that we do this as a hobby. I balance a successful professional career, my own business, I own and maintain a house, I have two fur-babies to take care of, and other responsibilities. My training is tailored around my busy working life and time for recovery. I am very thankful my coach understands this and focuses on quality over quantity. My typical training load is only 6-8 hours a week, prioritizing efficiency in the trails and race skills. I do events and trips that are within my available time and financial means. Mountain biking is how I have fun, stay healthy, and de-stress so it’s important that I enjoy it. I work hard both on and off the bike.

Simone Berger Cycling

How did you get started in racing?

I fell in love with cycling after doing two cross country (USA) bike tours. Documented somewhere in the Internet, I did Miami to New York and east to west coast. This built up my endurance chops and got me excited to race.

Road, gravel, or mountain biking?

I actually started with triathlon because I had such a good base built with slow twitch type of riding. Then I started racing gravel and a little bit of road. Gravel is the most similar kind of efforts to a triathlon I’ve found. Usually it ends up being a long effort sub threshold. The longer the better!

How did last season go for you – highs and lows?

Florida Gravel State Champ was my highlight so far. Nothing too low other than lots of flat tires but I’m excited to get back in there and do more gravel racing.

What’s next for you on the race calendar?

Local time trials and a few races, then unbound/ dirty Kansas 

What’s the one thing you want people to know about you?

I’ve been vegan 12 years now and haven’t died yet [laughs]. Actually, diet I feel is a big benefit to performance. Having low cholesterol and high blood volume/ cardiovascular efficiency, as well as improved recovery times from a low inflammation diet (aka plant based diet).

Racing came back to South Florida last weekend, and the damp weather wasn’t going to slow it down. The State Criterium Championship, sponsored by local cycling attorney Bill Bone, took place over two days at the St.Lucie County Fairgrounds on October 3rd and 4th. The first day covered all the age groups, from Juniors to Masters and Under 23. The second day, men and women in Cat 1 through Cat 5 competed for the state title.

First place finishers in the Juniors included Angel Rodriguez, riding with Stradalli, in the Boys 13-14 group, and Sam Morrison with team VeloBrew, winning the Florida State Champion jersey in the Girls 17-18 group.

Local favorites Focus Racing Team made their presence felt in the Women’s various age groups, taking a number of podium finishes. A bad crash in the course roundabout during the Masters A race brought the action to a temporary halt, but the racing continued shortly to reveal more champions.

Team Novo Nordisk Development took two spots in the podium for U23, with Robbe Ceurens and Louis Evans taking first and third place, respectively.

The action didn’t slow down on day two, starting with Women’s Cat 4 and 5. Adriana Ruiz (Focus Racing Team) took her second State title win for the weekend, this time in Cat 4. Jeanine Seeger from Alpha Cycling took a hard-won victory for the Florida Championship jersey in Women Cat ½, and the intense competition kept ramping up all the way to the final race of the day, the Men Pro ½. This tough race made for a spectacular finish, with Luis Zayas taking first place and Michael Hernandez (FloridaVelo) coming in with a very close second.

“I was delighted to finally produce a fun and exciting event on a new challenging course in these very challenging times,” said Race Director Kevin Abbate, from Extreme Sports Productions. “The entire team stepped up to the plate and pulled off a first-rate event, which was enjoyed by 383 riders and over 1,000 spectators. Everyone was respectful of the policies set forth as it related to COVID-19 procedures.”

The 2019 edition of the Florida State Criterium Championship was a full day of intense racing, victories and heartache, upsets and returning champions. We are looking forward to covering the 2020 Bill Bone Florida State Championship, happening October 3rd and 4th. In the meantime, here’s a look back at some of our favorite photos from last year.

VeloPista Photo TV with Kevin Abbate from ESPTiming