Two years ago, Team Delphine was a glimmer of an idea in the mind of a few local women cyclists who dreamed of growing the field for women’s cycling in Montana. Today, Team Delphine is an established team with strong representation in the women’s Category 3, 4 and junior fields.
Road
Tour of the Bitterroot Criterium in downtown Hamilton
In 2008, Team Delphine built on its successful inaugural season and expanded beyond Montana’s racing line-up to bring home strong out-of-state finishes. Delphine rider Amy Frykman took 5th in the Frozen Flatlands Circuit Race in Spokane, Washington, and 1st in the grueling Elkhorn Classic—considered the toughest stage race for amateur women in the country. Anna Dingman took 4th in the Little Mountain Road Race in Clarkston, Utah, and 4th in the Tax Day Circuit Race in Boise, Idaho.
Team Delphine riders Alison and Mirium Rognlie, Amy Frykman and Patricia Dowd earned a spot on the podium at the 2008 State Championship Time Trial
In the Category 4 field, Team Delphine dominated Montana’s late-season road races, taking 1st in the Cow Country Classic, 1st and 3rd in the State Championship Road Race in Eden and Bearmouth Road Race; 1st in the State Time Trial Championship; and 3rd and 4th in Bozeman’s Valley West Criterium. Team Delphine’s junior riders, Allison and Mirium Rognlie, dominated the women’s junior field, with 1st or 2nd place finishes in the Belt Omnium, Tour of the Bitterroot, Cow Country Classic, State Championship Road Race, State Championship Time Trial and 3rd in the Valley West Criterium.
Three Delphine riders qualified and upgraded to Category 3 during the 2008 season. In Category 3 competition, Team Delphine took 3rd and 4th at the Bearmouth Road Race, 2nd in the State Championship Time Trial and 3rd at the Valley West Criterium.
Cyclocross
Two Delphine riders – Patricia Dowd and Amy Frykman – tried their hand at cyclocross racing this fall, bringing home five 1st place and two 2nd place finishes – including 1st and 4th at the State Championship in Missoula on November 23. After the close of Montana’s cyclocross season, Patricia and Amy traveled to Portland, Oregon, for the U.S. Grand Prix, a national 2-day cyclocross event. Amy and Patricia took 10th and 11th out of a field of 50+ women on the first day, and then 5th and 8th on the second day of racing in the women’s B field, comprised of both Cat 3 and Cat 4 riders.
Giving Back
Delphine riders 60 miles into the 2007 Blazing Saddles fundraising ride
Team Delphine is about more than just racing. Delphine riders support a number of community events, including local programs on bike safety education for youth and competitive cycling basics for adolescents. In 2008, Delphine riders gave back and participated in their community through charity rides including West Yellowstone’s Yellowstone Cycle Tour, Livingston’s Blazing Saddles for the Payden Memorial Foundation, Bozeman’s Bikin’ With the Eagles for Eagle Mount, the Longest Day of Trails to benefit the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, and RATPOD—or Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day—a benefit for Camp Make-A-Dream. In addition, in 2008, Team Delphine hosted its own community event to encourage women’s competitive cycling development. Teammates organized a racing clinic in mid-July, providing prospective racers with on-the-bike skills necessary to race and the opportunity to try their first race.