Defending women’s time trial national champion Carmen Small, left, and defending mens TT national champion Tom Zirbel speak during a press conference at Miller Plaza kicking off the 2014 Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road and TT National Championships being held May 24 & 26.Read moreUSA Cycling’s best return for pro championships
For professional cyclist Carmen Small, the past year has been pretty big.
Last Memorial Day weekend, Small won her first national title when she narrowly edged Kristin McGrath to win the USA Cycling women’s time trial championship on the roads around the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant.
After finishing sixth in the event in 2011 and fourth in 2012, that victory by itself could have made for a successful season, but it was just the beginning of a special year for the Durango, Colo., resident.
Following her win at nationals, Small and Specialized-Luluemon teammates Ellen van Dijk, Evelyn Stevens, Lisa Brennauer and Trixi Worrack won the world title in the team time trial championship in Tuscany, Italy, and Small also finished third in the individual time trial at worlds.