Amy Alison Dombroski (September 9, 1987 – October 3, 2013) was an American professional cyclist, who competed in cyclocross, road, and mountain bike racing. An American National Champion in Road (2009 U23),[5][6] Cyclocross (2010,[7] 2012,[8] 2013[9]), and Mountain Bike (2009),[4] Dombroski also competed internationally, representing the United States at UCI World Championship Cyclocross, UCI World Cup Cyclocross, and UCI World Championship Cross Country Mountain Biking (2009 U23)[10] events.

Amy Dombroski
Personal information
Full nameAmy Alison Dombroski
NicknameCross Diva[1]
Born(1987-09-09)September 9, 1987
Vermont, United States
DiedOctober 3, 2013(2013-10-03) (aged 26)
Begijnendijk, Belgium
Team information
Disciplines
Amateur teams
2006–2007Excel Sports Boulder
2007–2009Velo Bella–Kona
Professional teams
2008Richard Sachs–RGM–Radix
2009–2010Schlamm p/b Primus Mootry
2010–2011Luna Pro Team
2011–2012Crankbrothers
2012–2013Telenet–Fidea
Medal record
Women's cycling
Representing  United States
U.S. National Championship – Cyclocross
Gold medal – first place 2006 Women U23[2]
Gold medal – first place 2007 Women U23[3]
U.S. National Championship – MTB
Gold medal – first place 2009 Women U23[4]
U.S. National Championship – Road
Gold medal – first place 2009 Women U23[5]

Transitioning from alpine ski racing to cycle racing in 2006,[1] Dombroski's international cyclocross career began in 2007, with a grassroots fundraising initiative undertaken by her team, Velo Bella. The team sold equipment and special edition socks to generate funds to send Dombroski to compete in the 2008 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Treviso, Italy.[11][12]

Originally from Vermont, Dombroski moved to Boulder, Colorado, where she climbed the ranks of women's cyclocross in the U.S. before moving to Belgium in the 2011–2012 season, to train and compete on the UCI World Cup cyclocross circuit.[1] Dombroski met with success on the circuit, placing second in Leuven behind Sanne Cant, and achieving top ten finishes at the cyclocross events in Otegem, Heerlen, Hoogstraten, Diegem, Overijse, Antwerp, Gavere, Zogge, Zonhoven, Ruddervoorde, Kalmthout, and Neerpelt.[citation needed] Dombroski's nickname Cross Diva stems from a disagreement regarding the mandatory use of sponsored equipment, as well as Dombroski's petite stature and efforts to promote gender equality for cyclists' pay.[1][13]

Death and legacy edit

Dombroski died on October 3, 2013, at age 26, after she was struck by a truck during a moto-paced training ride in Belgium.[14][15]

Amy D. Foundation edit

Following her death, Dombroski's brother Dan Dombroski and sister-in-law Nicole Novembre established the Amy D. Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower young women through cycling.[16] The Foundation logo, a heart with a lightning bolt through it, was designed to emulate a wrist tattoo commissioned by Amy Dombroski following the death of her mother.[16]

Since inception, the Foundation has operated mountain bike camps for girls age 7 through 14 (in cooperation with the Boulder-based organization, Little Bellas), started a women's race team, and advocated for gender equality in payouts at cycling events.[16]

Other tributes edit

In 2013, the race promoters of the UCI Colorado Cross Classic and Boulder Cup events organized a one lap ride in Dombroski's honor; over 100 participants attended raising over US$10,000 for the Amy D. Foundation.[17] Also in 2013, the Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado renamed its pre-junior cycling program the Amy Dombroski Pre-J Program in Dombroski's honor.[17]

Handlebar Mustache Apparel, a cycling apparel company located in Boulder, CO, has an Amy D. line; which features the Amy D. Foundation's logo. All proceeds are donated to the Amy D. Foundation.[18]

Major results edit

2006
1st   Under-23 race, National Cyclo-cross Championships[2]
2007
1st   Under-23 race, National Cyclo-cross Championships[3]
2008
5th National Cyclo-cross Championships[19][20]
2009
1st   Under-23 cross-country, National Mountain Bike Championships[4][21]
National Road Championships
1st   Under-23 road race[5]
4th Road race[6]
3rd Providence
3rd Verge New England Cyclocross (UCI C2)[22][23]
7th Planet Bike Cup, U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross (UCI C2)[24]
2012
2nd Soudal Classic Leuven, Belgium[25]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Amy Dombroski: Colorado's Young, Leg-Crushing Cross Diva". thebicyclestory.com. May 14, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Dreier, Fred (December 16, 2006). "Trebon charges away for national 'cross title". VeloNews.com. Pocket Outdoor Media LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "CX nats: Selander, Dombroski take U23 titles; Dwight, Jacques-Maynes claim masters crowns". Velonews.com. December 15, 2007. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Junior and U23 Cross Country Champions crowned on opening day of USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships". mtbr.com. July 20, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Frattini, Kirsten (July 31, 2009). "Dombroski adds U23 road title to collection: Road title joins cross country, cyclo-cross titles". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Frattini, Kirsten (July 30, 2009). "A different Miller claims US title: Dombroski best U23". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  7. ^ "Elite Men and Women 2010 Cyclocross World Championships Report". flobikes.com. January 31, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  8. ^ "Vos unstoppable in retaining rainbow jersey - Van Den Brand and Cant take silver and bronze". Cyclingnews.com. January 29, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  9. ^ Weislo, Laura (February 2, 2013). "Vos storms to victory in Cyclo-cross World Championships, Compton second on home ground". cyclingnews.com. Louisville, KY, USA. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  10. ^ Jones, Rob (September 2, 2009). "Dawidowicz takes convincing under 23 women's world title - Batty best North American despite mechanical troubles". Cyclingnews.com. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  11. ^ "Special Edition Velo Bella Mid-Calf Socks for Sale to support Amy!". velobella.org. Velo Bella. December 7, 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  12. ^ "Socks for Amy". www.velobella.org. Velo Bella. December 28, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  13. ^ "AMY DOMBROSKI AND RICHARD SACHS PART WAYS". Cyclocross Magazine. November 1, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  14. ^ Hymas, Peter (October 7, 2013). "Amy Dombroski killed while training; US 'crosser collides with truck". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  15. ^ "L'Américaine Amy Dombroski tuée par un camion à Begijnendijk" [American Amy Dombroski killed by a truck in Begijnendijk]. rtbf.be. Belgium. October 3, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  16. ^ a b c Averett, Nancy (October 6, 2014). "Inspired by Amy: Dan Dombroski channels the loss of his sister into greater support for female cyclists". Bicycling. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  17. ^ a b Topping, Mary (October 15, 2013). "Dombroski lives on in Boulder cyclo-cross – "Her spirit is here forever"". cyclingnews.com. Boulder, CO, USA. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  18. ^ "Amy D".
  19. ^ Wenslo, Laura (2008). "US Cyclo-cross Championships – Kansas City, Missouri, USA, December 11–14, 2008". Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  20. ^ Wenslo, Laura (June 11, 2009). "Compton takes jersey number five". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  21. ^ George, Sue (July 18, 2009). "Dombroski & Pastore victorious in Under 23 and Junior women's races; First two cross country races at US Nationals end in sprint finishes". cyclingnews.com. Colorado, USA. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  22. ^ "Nash nails Providence win – Two races, two wins for Luna rider". cyclingnews.com. October 12, 2009. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  23. ^ Fauske, Christopher (October 11, 2009). "Cyclocross: Verge New England Championship Series # 6". Daily Peloton. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  24. ^ Frattini, Kirsten (September 28, 2009). "Queen Compton reigns supreme, Luna Chix the bridesmaids again". cyclingnews.com. Madison, WI, USA. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  25. ^ "SOUDAL CLASSIC LEUVEN – SANNE CANT LEADS POLE TO POLE, DOMBROSKI SECOND, MO BRUNO ROY FOURTH UPDATED: PHOTO GALLERY". Cyclocross Magazine (cxmagazine.com). cxmagazine.com. December 16, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2017.

External links edit