Sarah Piccolo has been flying the NorCal colors throughout Northern California over the past three months, clinching several wins and two series titles. "I raced both the NCNCA Norcal Cup Series and the Pilarcitos Bay Area Super Prestige Series. I also raced the U.S. Grand Prix of Cyclocross in Portland. This meant racing every weekend for something like 10 weeks straight!" This is Sarah's second season racing cyclocross, a grueling discipline which demands both fitness and finesse. She won the overall classification for category B women in both the NCNCA NorCal Cup and the BASP Series, and looks forward to racing with the Pro/Elite women for the 2008 season.

Sarah comes to the sport of cycling with a background in long distance running. She set an All American record in the 5000-meter at Colorado State University, and still holds the school record in the 5K. She was ranked 2nd in the nation for the outdoor 10k and held that school record for 10 years. "It really taught me the importance of hard work and discipline, what it takes to be that strong of an athlete. It makes sense that Sarah excels on tough 'cross courses ("the tougher the better", she says) where the conditions limit riders to shouldering their bikes and running. "I definitely do not run as much these days, but I still have the strength." Sarah remembers how easy it is to burn out in the competitive track and field scene, and has vowed to "keep cycling fun."

Sarah and her husband Chris exemplify teamwork. The couple is able to coordinate their racing schedules so their 2-year-old daughter Simone comes along on race weekends. "On race day we are nuts, packing up our car with all our stuff and what is needed for Simone. Chris usually does all the biking stuff and I do the baby stuff, water bottles, snacks, etc. Toward the end of the season, we had it down." Occasionally the couple finds their categories racing back-to-back, which makes for a quick baby-toss!

This multi-talented mom also has a successful business as a private chef. At CSU, Sarah studied French and Restaurant and Resort Management. After college, she studied at the Culinary Art Institute in Costigliole D'Asti, Italy and honed her skills at some of the finest restaurants in the region. "I am so lucky, as I love what I do." Last year, Sarah had the opportunity to "cook for Lance and his Discovery Channel cronies. It was fun, but a lot of work. It was nice cooking for people who eat a lot!"

NorCal Velo salutes Sarah for her hard work this season. We look forward to supporting her in 2008, as she competes in the NORBA cross country series this spring and summer, and continues to race cyclocross in the fall.