The Cheerwine cycling team started in 2002-2003 as the “Diet” Cheerwine cycling team. Owner Anne Bolyea saw the need for more women’s cycling teams in the south east and started the program with a group of talented local developmental riders. The team did many of the local races and enjoyed the opportunity to race for the south east soda giant Cheerwine.

In 2004, the program stepped up from a local team and started doing some of the NRC races and picked up elite riders to go to the 2004 Tour de Toona. This experience gave Bolyea the incentive to take the team to the next level, which was a team focusing solely on the NRC calendar.

2005 saw elite riders from Canada join the team and the Diet Cheerwine team became on of the top 10 women’s teams in the country.

In 2006, the team continued the tradition of climbing higher in the NRC rankings and ended its season as the number 5 team in the US. Mrs. Bolyea supported both the Cheerwine(dropping the Diet name) and Victory Brewing squads allowing over 24 women to race full time in the US.

For 2007, the team goal became very obvious with full time team director Thad Fischer coming on board from the professional men’s side of the sport and the hiring of some of the most talented female racers in the country. The team is now equipped with a van, new team trailer and a new team car. “This team is at the highest level we can be with what I have been able to put into it. My hopes for the future is that this sports property can be acquired by a major sponsor who can benefit from all of the positive marketing this group of women can bring them. Women’s cycling is so exciting and fun to watch and it does not get the negative press that surrounds other sports.

2008 is and Olympic year and many of these riders have what it takes to get there.”  The 2007 Cheerwine women’s cycling team will continue the tradition of excellence in the sport of women’s professional cycling.