Mara Roldan and Nicole Steinmetz Join Cynisca as Stagiaires for Remainder of Season

BLOOMINGTON, IN – 28 August 2023 – In an ongoing mission to help develop young, talented women cyclists, Cynisca Cycling welcomes Mara Roldan and Nicole Steinmetz to the team as stagiaires for the remainder of the season. Cynisca also continues its sponsorship of the USA Cycling women’s development team.

 “Mara and Nicole have great potential, and we’re thrilled to bring them on for our final European block this season,” says Robin Farina, Cynisca sports and operations director.

Nicole Steinmetz is a 20-year-old gravel and road bike racer from Loomis, California. After several years of riding ultra-distance cycling events, Nicole decided she “wanted to go faster.” She attended a USA Cycling Athlete Development Pathway Camp for aspiring junior cyclists to improve her skills and was identified for future opportunities. She began racing in 2022 with a goal of one day riding in World Tour races. Nicole has finished1st in U30 in Unbound and Steamboat Gravel (also 7th overall Pro women) and 4th in U23 US National Pro Women’s Elite National Road Championships. 

 Mara Roldan is a 19-year-old mountain and road bike racer from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. She has competed in junior mountain bike races since the age of 13 and took up road racing to compete in the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games. She not only learned to race a road bike for the dual-discipline road/mountain race, but she won the bronze medal – the first female Yukoner to do so. Mara aspires to ride in World Tour races and hopes to inspire other younger women to see their potential and pursue their passions.

Mara and Nicole did their first races with Cynisca this past week in Belgium and will continue to race with the team September 6-10 in Ireland at Rás na mBan and in other elite races in Europe through October.

In addition to selecting more young athletes to ride in Cynisca colors this season, the organization continues its support and direct sponsorship of the USA Cycling Women’s Development Team. The team is currently racing a block in Europe beginning at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes 28 August – 1 September. Cynisca’s Katherine Sarkisov will race with the USA Cycling Women’s Development Team at Avenir and again 15-17 September at the Watersley Women’s Challenge Class 2.2 U23.