Donkey Label p/b Premier Sport Psychology
Our Custom heat pressed jersey from Donkey Label.
We are pleased to announce a new composite team for the 2021 Intelligentsia Cup, July 17th to 25th:
Donkey Label p/b Premier Sport Psychology
Our team consists of 5 Category 2 riders from CO, IL MN and VA. Our riders include Erin Ayala, Maria Larkin, Jennifer Sharp, Melissa Teeple and Lauren Wissman. We have come together as individual riders to form a stronger unit together, we aim to learn from each other each day, put a positive racing mentality forward and to hunt for opportunities within the P1/2 peloton to make our mark on the series. We are grateful to Julie Kuliecza, Head of Rider Recruitment at Intelligentsia Cup for facilitating this composite team. You can see us in person at each of the races, series schedule is located HERE
Our Sponsors:
We are extremely grateful to our sponsors. Without their support we would not be able to come together as a team and compete in this 10 day race series.
Donkey Label
“DONKEY LABEL IS AS MUCH AN ETHOS AS IT IS A COMPANY.
That ethos is based on simplicity, in life and design. It’s based on the belief that the process, ingredients and the people that go into making a product actually matter. It comes from our unapologetic approach to doing things the way we feel they should be done.“
Donkey Label is providing custom kit and accessories for our team for the week of racing. We’ll be racing in the DLR Womens Bib Short, DLR White Monochrome Jersey with custom heat pressed logos. We’ll be teaming this monochrome look with Ellen Four Dot Socks and DLR Binary Socks in Pink. Donkey Label is also extending a 20% discount to anyone who wishes to support the team. Use code INTELLIWOMEN20 site wide from July 17th to 25th.
Premier Sport Psychology
“Premier Sport Psychology, PLLC helps athletes on and off the field. We provide mindset training and counseling services to professional, Olympic, elite, collegiate, high school, amateur, recreational, and youth athletes, as well as musicians, actors, performers, and business professionals. We also work with the University of Minnesota Athletic Department, providing sport psychology services to 750+ student-athletes. Our mission is to help athletes reach optimal performance, mental health, and enjoyment in their sport and life endeavors.”
Premier Sport Psychology is generously providing financial support to the team and the costs incurred from racing a 10 day race series. We will also be availing of the services provided by Premier Sport Psychology to improve our racing experience over the course of the week.
You can learn more about the services that Premier Sport Psychology provides HERE.
Our Riders
Erin Ayala (she/her) - @erineayala
Erin joins us from Stamina Racing Collective based in Minneapolis ,MN. We look forward to her bringing her power and charm to the P1/2 peloton. Insider tip: if you want to win Erin over, it can be easily done with iced cofee and an almond croissant
Photo by Snowy Mountain Photography
Photo by Carlos Sabillon
Maria Larkin (she/her) - @_marlar_
Maria comes to the squad from local team the Chicago Cuttin Crew. Maria is also supported by Donkey Label for her cyclocross season. Maria loves crits and cross and hopes to put some of her skills to good use for the team. If you see her tail gunning for a lap too long please yell ‘MOVE UP’.
Photo by Adam Koble
Melissa Teeple (she/her) - @twowheeledteeps
Melissa comes to the team from her hometown of Roanoke, VA. She’s never had a home team but is stoked to be plugging into this team for 10 days. She hopes to spend time working together to shake up the races and snag some primes all while seeing all the different neighborhoods of Chicago and the surrounding area.
Jennifer Sharp (she/her) - @jtothesharp
Jen comes to the team from her home team of Stages Cycling. Jen is an experienced racer and coach, she runs Sharp Coaching along with her husband Ben. Jen never ceases to seek out learning opportunities outside of cycling and racing. She is a certified yoga instructor as well as a Pilates instructor in training. Jen sent no less than 15 photos of her dogs Mochi and Oskar rather than sending an actual head shot for this announcement.
Lauren Wissman (she/her) - @_wisskers
Lauren Wissman is also a member of the Chicago Cuttin Crew. A former collegiate soccer player Lauren has always been the consummate team player. Lauren is an expert in finding balance between racing and living the high life, she will always find something to do in a host city and she’ll drag you along with her no matter what. Lauren is looking forward to getting back in the break and finishing what she started in 2018 & 2019. [Maria wrote this bio for her btw]
Photo by Snowy Mountain Photography
