Rally Cycling reports an exciting addition to their 2019 roster today in former Tour de l’Ardeche stage winner Krista Doebel-Hickok. The Marina del Rey, CA native, and former Vanderbilt University runner turned professional in 2013 and quickly established herself as one of America’s top climbers. Her palmares include third on stage two of the 2017 Amgen Tour of California and a stage victory at the Tour de Feminin in 2015.
Doebel-Hickok has spent the last three seasons racing in Europe with Cylance Pro Cycling, where she competed in the Giro d’Italia, La Flèche Wallonne, Strade Bianche, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
“I wanted to be part of a US-based program in 2019,” said Doebel-Hickok. “When speaking with teams, I considered the race calendar, level of support, team director, professionalism and roster. Rally Cycling checked every box off of my 2019 wishlist like no other team could. It was a pretty simple and quick decision!”
With extensive European racing under her belt, Doebel-Hickok brings significant experience to a young squad with big ambitions.
“I excel in hard races where my racing knowledge, strength, and unrelenting drive are my biggest assets,” said Doebel-Hickok. “Joining Rally Cycling gives me the opportunity to pass on what I have learned while playing a big part in the team’s success on a variety of courses across the US and Europe. I can’t wait to get started!”
With the majority of the 2018 roster returning next season, Team Director Zach Bell was looking to fill his only available roster spot.
“I look at each rider and ask if we can work together and possibly be more than the sum of our parts,” said Bell. “I saw that opportunity with Krista. The team is starting the transition from strictly about development to an international competitor. Krista brings experience in Europe and abilities that will help us be the best team in North America.”
Doebel-Hickok will join her teammates in Oxnard, CA for training camp in January before heading to Australia for the first race of the season.
