My name is Tiago Depaula and I am a professional Category 1 cyclist. My goal is to become a professional bicycle rider on a premiere team in 2007 and to compete with the utmost professionalism and dedication to that team / sponsor in major cycling events. My ultimate goal is to become the best racer in the US in 2007; however, I will perform whatever road I am assigned to the best of my ability to help the team succeed.

I am forty years old (as of November 22, 2006) married and have three children. Both my wife and myself are attorneys with very demanding schedules. About three years ago, I'd had enough of sitting behind my desk and decided to get back on my bike after an 11 year absence. I had been getting more and more stressed out, lethargic, and tired and I was getting fatter. Enough was enough.

Today we all agreed to have a team win. So we designated one person to win. So the first race we picked a guy Jeff to win. On the final lap, the other team mate who was suppose to take the first pull wrecked and I ended up on the other side of the peleton. So I saw Jeff going up the other side and I went to the front and crossed over to pick him up. I then picked up the pace and strung out the field single file into through the last turn. My hr went up to 195 (highest ever seen it) and then I was done. Jeff pulled off but had put in such a big effort to get on my wheel that he could not finish the sprint in first and ended 4. I rolled in 8th because of another wreck.

I am 35 years old, married with no children. I have raced motocross since 1998. First on ATV’s for 5 years with a national ranking of 3rd in the women’s pro class and then on to motorcycles. That’s how my paths crossed with Coach Dave. I was looking for a way to improve my fitness level for motocross. I was interested in getting a road bike and I visited Dave’s shop. After leaving his shop I was very impressed with his knowledge but most importantly his honesty. He answered every question I had and didn’t just try to make a sale.