Introducing Rachel Heal

Photo: Christopher Norris
(click photo to enlarge)

Residence and Home Town: Manchester, England

Years Racing: 6

Years on Webcor: 1

Top reason for joining Webcor: The team's style of racing suits me.

Tell us about your background and goals – both on and off the bike?
Sport has always been a big part of my life (in fact, my parents still maintain that I learned to run before I ever learned to walk), playing netball, hockey, cross country running, and rugby, among other things.

It was whilst at University that I started cycling, firstly just as a means of getting to lectures and back, and then as I realised how much I enjoyed the bike, I started riding more. After graduating, I started a job with Cadbury Ltd (the chocolate people) and entered my first race in 1998. By 2000 I was racing every weekend and at the start of 2001 I quit my job with Cadbury's and became a full time cyclist, and I've never looked back.

I spent my first three years as a full time cyclist riding for the Great Britain National team, then in 2004 I made the move to a professional team and rode for the Dutch Farm Frites-Hartol team in support of Mirjam Melchers and cycling legend Leontine Zijlard van Moorsel. In 2005 I rode for the Danish Team SATS, then in 2006 I made the move across the pond, and rode my first full season in the US for Victory Brewing. I love the mix of racing in the US and when Webcor offered me a contract for 2007 I jumped at the chance.

Top results of 2006:
1. Atlanta 10k, 1st    
2. Tour of Elk Grove, 1st
3. Tri Peaks stage race, 1st overall
4. Tour of Montreal, 5th overall
5. Tour of Gila, 4th overall

Top career results:
1. Athens Olympics RR, 2004, 22nd
2. Tour de l’Aude, stage 7, 2004, 1st
3. Gracia Orlova Tour, stage 6, 2002, 1st
4. Commonwealth Games RR, 2002, 3rd
5. British National RR Championships, 2002-05, 2nd

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