The Team

Name: Martina Alzini 
Nickname: Martialzi 
Height: 1.80m 
Age: 21 
Country of origin: Italy 

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I like riding on track and road, and I’d define myself a sprinter who likes races that are not totally flat, but with some ups and downs, especially Belgian races. 

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? One of the best memories I have was in 2013, when I won the European Olympic Youth Games road race.

What do you want to achieve on the team? In 2019 I want to become stronger on my TT bike and in the one-day races. I also want to try to grow and learn the most that I can from our coaches and my teammates. 

What inspired you to start cycling? My parents and my family. They are big fans of cycling and sports in general, and at the age of 6 they let me try different sports like dance, volleyball, and cycling... and I ended up choosing the latter!

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? Apart from cycling, I’m currently studying foreign languages at the University of Insubria (Como). I also spend some of my free time watching Netflix and Italian television shows. In addition, I also enjoy cooking giving my mum a helping hand in the kitchen. I actually find it quite relaxing!

What is a motto that you live or ride by? “La vita e la bici hanno lo stresso principio: devi continuare a muoverti per stare in equilibrio!” This translates to “cycling and life have the same meaning: you must keep moving to maintain balance.”

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? I would have found another job – I’m not quite sure which field exactly – but I would have also spent more time reading books. But at the moment I haven’t given too much thought to this, because I’m focused on the upcoming season and the goals that I’d like to achieve.

Name: Lizzy Banks
Nickname: I don't have one, but I asked Leah what it should be and she said “Swedish fish” because I love fish from Sweden!
Height: 170cm
Age: 28
Country of origin: Great Britain

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I am an all-rounder. I love the really hard and gritty races on undulating terrain, the types of races where anything can happen.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? At the start of the 2017 season, I won the first round of the British national road series, and this was the catalyst that led me on the path to where I am now. That win made me realise how far I had come in only two years and also gave me the confidence that I could perform at that level in the UK. I then went on to win the series overall. This opened the door to other opportunities and ultimately led to my first professional contract in 2018.

What do you want to achieve on the team? A full European season will be a challenging step up for me, as well as a steep learning curve, but I am really excited for what lies ahead. I want to do my best to support my team leaders and help them well into the final stages of the race. I’d particularly look forward to the Tour of Norway and hope that I could help the team win there, and win lots of salmon! I am also really excited about racing team time trials and achieving success together as a team.

What inspired you to start cycling? A friend asked me to take part in a charity cycling sportive, so I bought a cheap second hand bike and tried to ride 50 miles a day ahead of the event. From then, on I was hooked on cycling but still mostly used it as a way of getting around and to get to university. A couple of years later I decided that I wanted to give racing a go and I never looked back.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? I love to travel, explore and try food from around the world. I also love doing anything that’s outdoors.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? "Beat yesterday."

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? I would be a Doctor. I left medical school in my final year in order to pursue my career as a cyclist. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I wasn't getting any younger!

Name:  Elise Chabbey
Height: 165
Age: 25
Country of origin: Switzerland

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I like uphill parcours and tough races.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? Competing at the Olympic Games in kayaking in 2012. I hope to make it back to the Olympics again.

What do you want to achieve on the team? I’d like to help my team to win at the big races and to work together to achieve our goals.

What inspired you to start cycling? My boyfriend encouraged me to start riding, and I really enjoyed it, so I continued.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? Studying medicine, cross-country skiing in winter, and trail running.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? Give every race the chance to become the best race of your life.

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? I would be a doctor.

Name: Nicole Hanselmann
Nickname: Nici
Height: 169cm
Age: 27
Country of origin: Switzerland

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I’m a rider who likes to attack, and my preferred terrain is hilly.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened during your career? My win at the Ladies Tour of Norway and my two national titles are the best things that have happened to me during my career.

What do you want to achieve on the team? I want to become better!

What inspired you to start cycling? When I was younger, my family participated in cycle tours and my mother then told me that there was a bike race close to my home, so I took part in it, and that’s how I started racing.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? I’m studying geography at university and I enjoy reading. I’m also interested in sports in general.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? If you don’t try it, you won’t know if it will work.

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? I think I would be further down the track in my geography career.

Name: Mikayla Harvey
Nickname: Mikki, Mac
Height: 171cm
Age: 20
Country of origin: New Zealand

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I like time trials, but also am an all-rounder. I love gnarly racing with a good mixture of terrain… However, I am yet to race on the Belgium cobbles.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? I don’t think I have had a ‘significant moment’ so far in my career. Thinking back, I believe those days where you had to mentally push yourself further than you thought possible, provided some of my most breakthrough moments. Racing the Bay Criterium races over in Australia was my first ever taste of elite racing. I was still a junior at the time, and I think I only managed to finish one out of five races, but afterwards I was extremely determined to improve and was hungry for more. After that, I knew that I wanted to become a professional cyclist. 

What do you want to achieve on the team? I want to discover what I am truly capable of as a cyclist and also help my teammates as much as possible. I believe Bigla is the perfect team to help me develop and teach me the ropes of professional cycling. Being able to sacrifice myself for the success of my teammates is something I am excited to have the opportunity to do. Also, being able to learn from the more experienced members of the team is also a priceless opportunity. 

What inspired you to start cycling? I come from a family of triathletes, however cycling was always my favourite leg. I started school cycling in year 7, which was mainly team time trials, short road races and criterium races. Since then, I have fallen in love with cycling and I am so glad I started up with the school cycling squad! 

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? I love anything to do with the outdoors, especially hiking and swimming. I am also really into yoga and am slowly getting more into meditation. I believe mindfulness and awareness are such useful skills to develop. Also, I love getting creative in the kitchen and coming up with delicious and healthy meals and snacks.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? “Explore, Dream, Discover,” and “Shut up legs!”

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? Living the van life. I have always been keen on traveling around Europe in a mini van and seeing the sights on some epic hikes and exploring different cultures. Also I think I’d be finishing my degree in Nutrition and Naturopathy. I’m really interested in holistic medicine, and I am also a big “foodie,” and I must admit that I spend a fair amount of time looking at interesting healthy recipes on social media.

Name: Emma Norsgaard Jørgensen
Nickname: Ems, Em
Height: 1.72
Age: 19
Country of origin: Denmark

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I’m a sprinter, so I like parcours that suit fast finishes.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? My first ever TTT race with the team. It was amazing, and we showed such fantastic team spirit.

What do you want to achieve on the team? I want to always be the best version of myself, to be there 100% for my teammates, and to some stunning memories with the whole team. 

What inspired you to start cycling? My older brother, Mathias, led me to start cycling.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? I love food, coffee and shopping. There is nothing better to do on a rest day. 

What is a motto that you live or ride by? Work hard, play hard.

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? I’d probably be working at a coffee shop. I think I’d really enjoy that.

Name: Julie Leth
Height: 175
Age: 26
Country of origin: Denmark

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I am a rider who is suited to flatter races, like the classics, and of course also the track.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? I had a really bad crash back in 2015. Initially afterwards, I was not sure if I would ever be able to ride again. I guess this gave me time to reflect on whether I actually wanted to race, or if I had just continued for the sake of it. During this time, I learned a lot about myself and the people around me.

What do you want to achieve on the team? I want to develop as a rider and as a person, and to get closer to being the best cyclist that I can be. Hopefully I will be part of many team victories and successes.

What inspired you to start cycling? As a child, I did track and field, and later specialised in long and middle distance running. Due to an injury. I started riding to stay fit, and I discovered that my passion for cycling was a lot bigger than it was for running.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? I am on the road a lot, so when I am at home, I try to spend as much time I can with my friends and family.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? Happy head, fast legs.

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? I’m actually not sure. I guess I would be studying now. I never envisaged working in any specific vocation, but my childhood dream was to become an Olympian, and I am still chasing that dream.

Name: Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig
Nickname: Cille
Height: 168 cm
Age: 23
Country of origin: Denmark

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I consider myself an all-rounder. I can do a good TT as well as a sprint from a smaller group. But my clear preference is hard terrain, especially hills.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? La Course by Le Tour de France 2018 stands out. I gave quite an emotional post-race interview because it was such an experience!

What do you want to achieve on the team? I want to develop both as a person and as a rider. I’m aiming to become one of the best cyclists in the world and I believe this team offers the best platform to achieve that.

What inspired you to start cycling? In the local newspaper, there was an article from the local bicycle club. They were celebrating their ninetieth birthday and invited potential members to come down for a talk. They were so friendly and lent me all the necessary equipment and clothing to start cycling. If I had mechanical problems with

my bike, six mechanics would stand around the bike trying to fix it all at once. I have never been received that well before and I think that might have been why I continued.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? Finding the best ways to keep myself fuelled with good food.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? I have two mottos that I try to live by. Firstly, “I’m not happy all the time, but it doesn’t stop me from trying!” and secondly, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? I would maybe be studying maths or would have tried my luck in the field of performing arts.

Name: Nikola Nosková
Height: 157cm
Age: 21
Country of origin: Czech Republic

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I’m a climber, and am suited to courses with hard profiles. I love a hilly parcours with very hard and long climbs.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? In July 2018, I won the U23 European Road Race Championship, which was my biggest tittle. Two days prior, I also won the bronze medal in the time trial. 

What do you want to achieve on the team? I want to improve my skills during the stage races. I also want to continue to better myself, and try to keep the WWT U23 leader jersey and the U23 European Championship title.

What inspired you to start cycling? When I finished studying at elementary school, I had to decide what to study next. I really like sports, so I decided to go to the Sports Gymnasium and I started my cycling career there.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? Listening to music, reading books, and walking and hiking in the mountains with family.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? Master your thoughts!

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? Studying nutritional therapy at university.

Name: Maria Vittoria Sperotto
Nickname: Sperry
Height: 171 cm
Age: 22
Country of origin: Italy

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I’m a rouleur who can sprint. I like races with many ups and downs, as well as short climbs. In addition, I’m keen on the team time trial and criterium races.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? Unfortunately one track incident involving my trainer. He did so much for me and he really believed in me. He gave me a lot of strength and motivation.

What do you want to achieve on the team? I want to contribute to a positive team environment, gain experience, and hopefully also good results.

What inspired you to start cycling? My parents were both MTB cyclists and also skirollers.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? I have a lot of other interests, including hiking in the mountains, skiing, drawing, and baking cakes and protein bars for training sessions while listening to piano music. My favourite composers are Debussy, Einaudi, Yiruma and Allevi. I also really enjoy travelling.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? “Every day, every hour, turn the pain into power.”

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? Since I was very young, I have been fascinated with nature and animals, so I think I would have studied veterinary science at university.

Name: Leah Thomas
Nickname: Darth
Height: 165cm
Age: 29
Country of origin: USA

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I am an all-rounder who excels on long, hard courses. I also enjoy races where grit and determination are important components of deciding a race outcome.  

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your career? The most notable event in my career thus far was placing fifth at the World Championships in Innsbruck in the time trial in 2018. It was a moment where hard work and persistence all came together, and it was a result that cemented my confidence and motivated me to train harder and dream bigger. 

What do you want to achieve on the team? On the team, I hope to step up and develop consistent racing across the WorldTour events. I eagerly anticipate racing in Europe and will aim for results at the highest level, with the ultimate goal of making it to the Olympics in 2020. I’m also looking forward to racing as part of a cohesive team like Bigla, and being a part of a program that challenges its athletes to become the best they can be. 

What inspired you to start cycling? I started cycling after plantar fasciitis made it impossible to run. On my first bike ride outside, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, and I haven’t looked back since.   

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? I enjoy traveling to new, off the beaten paths and enjoy spending time in the mountains at home with my friends and family.  

What is a motto that you live or ride by? “Dare to dream big. Never fear to fail. Take actions with love” - Debasish Mridha.

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? If I were not a cyclist I would be a sixth grade science teacher. I’d enjoy being surprised by my students and learning as much from them as they would from me! 

Name: Sophie Wright
Nickname: Soph
Height: 163cm
Age: 19
Country of origin: United Kingdom

What type of rider are you? What parcours suits you the best? I like tough races, and those that include hilly terrain. That’s where my main strength lies.

What’s the most significant thing to have happened (good or bad) during your

career? Becoming 2016 European XC MTB Junior Champion was amazing. A slightly different event was also having two heart operations in 2017, of which the second one was thankfully successful.

What do you want to achieve on the team? I aim to be selected for and achieve successful results for myself and the team at major races on the calendar.

What inspired you to start cycling? While competing in triathlon, I found that cycling was my favourite and most successful discipline, so I chose to focus on this awesome sport. I also like the complete freedom and happiness that I feel on the bike. The pure enjoyment makes training enjoyable and easy.

What interests do you have, apart from cycling? Cross country running, hiking, cooking, eating and being with friends, motocrossing, and climbing. Basically lots of outdoor sports and adrenaline-pumping activities.

What is a motto that you live or ride by? I don’t really have a motto, but am focused on being the best that I can be and to be proud of myself.

If you were not a cyclist, what would you be doing now? I would probably be studying Sport Science at university.