Velo Bella announces elite 'cross team

US women's team Velo Bella has announced its lineup as the first all-female cycling team to compete on the US national cyclo-cross circuit. All six of last year's riders have returned to the team, including two 2005 US National Cyclocross Team members, Sarah Kerlin and Barb Howe; the 2005 NCAA National Cyclocross Champion, Melodie Metzger; and 2003 US National Cyclocross Team member Christine Vardaros with veteran Bellas Erin Kassoy and Sami Fournier adding experience. New to the team is Ann Fitzsimmons.

"We're honoured to have Ann on the team," explained team founder, Sabine Dukes, "She entered her first cyclocross race two years ago as part of a Dirty Dozen contest we held to encourage beginners. To see her racing on the elite level now is extremely rewarding."