The Amy D Cyclocross program began in 2014 with immediate success. The program is designed to be a "launching" pad for elite level female riders, showcasing talent in the hopes riders can find a professional team (if they so choose - going on to other endeavors is equally celebrated). Our previous Elite CX riders are below.
Erica Zaveta - 2014/2015 Season
Erica Zaveta raced on the very first iteration of Amy D. Foundation cyclocross team. She began racing road bikes at the age of 15 and holds 5 individual national titles in collegiate racing including MTB Cross Country, Short Track, Downhill, Cyclocross, MTB omnium, as well as team relay in cyclocross and mountain bike. While with the Amy D. program, Erica raced for the US National team at the Pan American games and several European World Cups. Following her successful time with the Foundation Erica signed her first professional cyclocross contract. Since leaving the program Erica has obtained her B.A. of Exercise Science (English Minor) from Brevard College, and competes at the highest level of the sport in cyclocross, road, and mountain biking. She was also a member of the 2022 US team for the cyclocross World Championships.
Rebecca was chosen as the second elite CX rider for the Amy D Foundation. In her first year, she found success while riding under the guidance of the Raleigh Clement team. Highlights of the 2015/2016 included her first UCI podiums and a 6th place at US Nationals.
In the 2016/2017 season she was again selected as the Foundation searched for a new home. The Stan's NoTubes cyclocross team took up tutelage of the Foundation, and Rebecca. In this year, career highlights included a 6th place at the UCI World Cup in Vegas, a podium place at Neils Albert CX in Belgium, and selection for the World Championship Team.
After her time with the Amy D Foundation Rebecca went on to manage the Stan's NoTubes p/b Maxxis cyclocross team, and is now a professional rider for Kona Maxxis Shimano cyclocross. Rebecca is also still the webmaster for the Foundation.
Christa Ghent - 2017/2018 Season
Christa, like Amy D, was a highly competitive alpine ski racer from a young age before years of injury and nine knee surgeries took her out of world-level competition. Still striving to satisfy her competitive spirit, she started cycling with the Colorado University cycling team as a sophomore in college. After racing nearly every form of cycling in that time, from mountain biking to track racing, Christa found that cyclocross is a true combination of all of her strengths. Christa was able to find success on the UCI level with several 10 ten performances Already a winning contender in the local Colorado scene, she has also found success at the UCI level reaching into the top 10 multiple times. Her goal for the season is to gain more experience and find higher levels of success in this higher level of racing.
Katherine (KK) Santos 2017-2019
Former junior national champion KK Santos rode for the Amy D. Foundation from 2017-2019. Santos had several successful seasons with the foundation. She continues to spread her love and joy for cycling hosting clinics locally in the Louisville area where she now resides. Santos enjoy recreationally racing and riding and is now a full time employee of USA Cycling.
Emily Shields Werner 2018/2019
Emily obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology at Lees McRae College and her Master's in Nutrition at UNC Greensboro. She raced collegiately throughout her education and has three collegiate national titles in Cyclocross and Short Track. She began racing cyclocross with her twin sister, Katherine when they were 10 years old at a race their dad was organizing. Emily steadily progressed through the cyclocross ranks earning several top ten performances at UCI events across the country. During her last year with the Foundation Emily competed in several World Cups and several additional high caliber events in Europe. Emily continues to race cyclocross professionally. In addition to racing, Emily is a Registered Dietitian who loves helping people improve their cycling performance through nutrition. She also loves helping athletes improve their relationship with food. She currently works for Cycle-Smart and lives and trains in Roanoke, VA,with her husband, Kerry Werner, and their beagle, Sherman Shields.