Alison Testroete

Professional cyclist, Alison Testroete, knows all too well the trials and triumphs that sport can bring. An Abbotsford native, Alison first began cycling in high school, navigating the trails of her backyard with friends on their mountain bikes. As she progressed in the sport, Alison enjoyed early success in her career having won several provincial and national championships before turning pro in 2007. The transition into professional cycling was met with great success for Alison who consistently placed on the podium in America’s National Racing Circuit, European UCI races and other international events, including a career-highlight, gold medal finish at the 2009 Canadian National Road Championships.

After finishing with a bronze medal at the same event in 2010, Alison joined an Italian team where she went on to reach the steps of the podium at the O cenu Ceskeho Svycarska in Czechoslovakia – a career breakthrough that qualified her for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India. In preparing for this elevated international stage, Alison competed in the Citta di Padova where she finished third to Naomi Cantelli, world time trial champion at the time. She also gained valuable experience training with American Women’s Professional teams and the Canadian National team. But like any successful athlete, Alison also endured the challenge of injury.

Just four days prior to her departure for India, Alison was in a training accident involving a car that prevented her from competing in the Commonwealth Games. Six months later, just when she thought she had overcome the physical and mental affects of this crash, she was in another accident. This time during a training race when she collided with another rider leaving her with pelvic and clavicle fractures. With the accident leading right into the peak of the 2011 season, Alison decided that it was time to take a step back from competition.

Although these experiences were difficult, they helped reshape Alison’s outlook and priorities in life with several layers of added depth. She realized her passion and love for the sport remained, prompting her to explore the option of coaching. Today, she’s thrilled to have joined the Pinnacle Training Systems coaching team, where she’s able to draw on her breadth of experience to mentor, motivate and influence fellow cyclists.

As a dedicated athlete, Alison has always been committed to proper health and nutrition. Throughout her career, she maintained a disciplined fitness regimen and balanced diet of wholesome, nutrient-rich foods, including Silver Hills bread – specifically her favourite variety, Hemptation. Now as a coach, Alison is even more aware of the importance of nutrition in training for peak performance and readily recommends all of Silver Hills products to her clients – regardless of age or performance goals. Although Alison has shifted into coaching, she still loves to ride and has recently joined a team of 10 women competing in the inaugural Prospera Valley GranFondo. To learn more about Alison’s coaching and cycling, visit her website.

 

Image Credit: Greg Descantes