Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 Welcomes Rising Star Anna Hicks

November 14, 2024

Poised for a Breakthrough Season in Road and Track Cycling

Roanoke, VA – November 14, 2024 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 is thrilled to announce the addition of Anna Hicks (USA), a talented young cyclist from Placerville, CA, to our team for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Anna brings an impressive resume and a dynamic background in both road and off-road cycling, making her an exciting addition to the team as we continue to foster emerging talent and pursue excellence across cycling disciplines.

Anna’s journey in athletics began with a standout cross-country season in high school, where she quickly made her mark and earned a Division 1 scholarship. After college, she transitioned to elite-level road racing, finishing 8th in the Pro Road National Championship in 2023. The same year, Anna explored gravel racing, making a podium appearance with a 3rd-place finish at the Big Sugar Gravel race. Her success on the gravel ignited her passion for off-road competition and a determination to become a consistent force in this discipline.

Throughout the 2024 season, Anna showcased her versatility and competitiveness by finishing 5th in the Chequamegon MTB event of the Lifetime Grand Prix series, 9th at The Rad Dirt, and taking the top spot at SBT Blue. Her ability to excel across various terrains and conditions highlights her adaptability and commitment to growth, traits we highly value on Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24.

Nicola Cranmer, Founder and General Manager of Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24, shared her excitement for Anna’s future with the team: “I first met Anna two years ago at El Tour de Tucson, where she participated as part of a USA Cycling U.S. development team and finished on the top spot against some heavy hitters. Since then, I’ve seen her tackle different styles of racing and recognized the need for some focused direction to help her fully realize her potential. I’m excited to create a performance pathway for her that combines road and track, and perhaps a few off-road events giving her a well-rounded foundation as an athlete. She’s eager, open to guidance, and brings a unique raw power to her racing. I’m looking forward to seeing where we can go together, and I deeply appreciate her trust in me and the team.”

Anna Hicks expressed her enthusiasm about joining the team, saying, “I am honored by the opportunity to ride for TWENTY24. The legacy of this team speaks for itself. I am excited to have the mentorship from both the riders and from Nicola, whose achievements exemplify what intentional development and hard work can achieve. It is inspiring what this team represents, and I am excited to chase big goals with their support.”

Beyond her achievements on the bike, Anna earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is a certified Sports Nutritionist. She also coaches athletes, helping them optimize their nutrition to reach peak performance.. Her dedication to helping others through education and personal development complements our team’s mission to empower and uplift women in sports.

Anna Hicks joins Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 with a strong drive to expand her competitive horizons and contribute to the team’s legacy of excellence. She’s already begun enhancing her skill set and is currently attending USA Cycling’s track development camp in Colorado Springs. We are proud to welcome her to our team and look forward to celebrating her continued success in the upcoming season.

About Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24

When the team was formed in 2005, the goal was to create a pathway for athletes to the 2012 London Olympics. In 2009, the team’s name became TWENTY12, changing every four-year cycle, followed by TWENTY16, TWENTY20, and now TWENTY24, representing the Paris 2024 Olympics. The TWENTY24 program is responsible for developing many of the most successful American female cyclists to date. It has created opportunities for elite, junior development, and para-cycling athletes. TWENTY24 has established a consistent athlete talent pipeline for road and track cyclists and additionally provides opportunities for athletes who excel in the virtual world of Zwift eSports and the relatively new dynamic discipline of gravel racing. The team identifies and develops high-performance athletes and the next generation of competitive cyclists, and is committed to successfully aligning student-athletes with college scholarships through cycling and academics.

Key sponsors and partners of Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 include Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Felt Bicycles, Zwift, Berglund Automotive, Kenda Tires and Velotec.

Media Contact:

Nicola Cranmer
Email: teamtwenty24@gmail.com
Cell: +1 415 246 8791