Currently in their fifth season as an elite women’s gravel cycling team, the members of Velocio // Exploro are on a mission: to act as positive role models both in and out of competition—and to win as many races as possible, of course. With a talented roster of eight riders based all across the United States, the challenges ahead of them might be great, but as the team’s motto goes, they’ve got plenty of #matchestoburn. To learn more, we spoke with team manager, BrittLee Bowman, who shared how Velocio // Exploro first formed and where they’re journey has taken them so far.
 

“In the Fall of 2018, I was burnt out on road/criterium racing, having raced sanctioned events, road/track/cyclocross, for at least ten years and having owned and managed a women’s road team for about six years already. I wasn’t sick of riding my bike, but I was ready to just enjoy it more… That’s when my teammate Cynthia Frazier suggested we just turn the road team into a gravel racing team, and my natural response was ‘oh hell yeah.”

“Riding on dirt/gravel roads with friends has always pleased me the most out of any riding, and racing on dirt (cyclocross or the occasional dirt sector in a road race) had always been my favorite out of all the racing I’d done. So, I reached out to all the team’s sponsors and announced we would be a gravel team going forward. The support was there, and in our second year on gravel, we picked up new title sponsors: apparel brand Velocio and 3T, the Exploro bike manufacturer. So, since 2020, we have raced as Velocio // Exploro and have had the honor of working with over a dozen other high-end brands whose products we love, including Fizik.”
 

Our vision and mission are pretty simple: As a team we seek to achieve the best results possible while carrying out a unifying goal of embodying positive and powerful role models, on and off the racecourse. We are committed to teamwork, pushing athletic limits, building confidence, developing as individuals, expanding horizons, setting and achieving goals, and building a strong team atmosphere.

“The riders all have different careers, family commitments and cycling backgrounds but have a few key things in common; they are all kind, strong, passionate, intelligent, and inspiring women who enjoy being part of a group of like-minded women who want to take on gravel adventures in beautiful places.”

A HARD-RIDING ROSTER

Of course, BritLee isn’t the only rider stoked to roll with Velocio // Exploro. The current team roster consists of:
BrittLee Bowman – New York, NY (13th year on team) Team Owner, General Manager
Cynthia Frazier – Arlington, VA (8th year on team) Team Co-Manager
Rachel Wills – Naples, IT (5th year on team)
Meghan Owens – Winooski, VT (4th year on team)
Taneika Duhaney – Burke, VA (2nd year on team)
Katie Kantzes – Austin, TX (2nd year on team)
Caro Poole – Bentonville, AR (2nd year on team)
Sarah Lange – Lyme, NH (1st year on team)

Whether it’s their first season or fifth, all members agree that the team spirit of Velocio // Exploro is something truly special:

“Velocio // Exploro has given me some of the best experiences on and off the bike. Being surrounded by powerful and unique women is something that brings me joy daily in our interactions and celebrations with each other.”
– Cynthia Frazier

“The energy on this team is electric! There is something so special about a strong group of women coming together to manage all the elements of competing in a cycling event from start to finish. I love learning from my teammates about how to fix mechanicals, corner faster, and race more tactically. The combined knowledge of the women on this team and the willingness to share and support each other is so energizing!”
– Sarah Lange

“This team is like none other. The balance of fun, fast, and ferocious is refreshing. I love that we encourage each other on and off the bike, while connecting with communities at home and on the road. As a military spouse, nothing is ever stable as we’ve uprooted ourselves three times in the last five years. Yet this team, and the friendships forged, have been the consistency I crave. Riding is what brings us together, and I’m thankful to our sponsors who keep us rolling.”
– Rachel Wills

You can follow the team as they continue to push limits and exude positivity on and off the gravel tracks over on Instagram @velocio_exploro.

Photos by: @dominiquepowers @_joshuawstrong @danny.awang