Mandy Marquardt Shines at Elite Pan American Championships

15 September 2017

Race: 2017 USA Cycling Track Nationals

Location: National Cycling Center, Trinidad

Results: Women’s Elite Team Sprint: gold / Keirin: silver / 500m Time Trial: bronze / Sprints: 6th

Team Novo Nordisk Elite cyclist, Mandy Marquardt, showed the world what athletes with diabetes can achieve at the Elite Pan American Cycling Championships in Trinidad (August 30-September 3), bringing home several medals while racing to inspire. Below, the world champ breaks down her experience at the event.

From Mandy Marquardt

“When I returned home from the 2017 Elite Track Nationals in California on August 8, I was eager to get back on the track to begin my taper for the 2017 Elite Pan American Cycling Championships in Trinidad at the National Cycling Center.

A couple days after returning home from Track Nationals, I came down with a sinus infection, which wasn’t part of the plan. My coach and I sat down and reassessed. The priority was to get healthy and keep my blood sugars stabilized.

After a little over a week, I was back on track. I wasn’t going to reflect on the time missed, but moving forward, I was going to do everything I could to execute my best Pan Ams.

At Pan Ams, my times weren’t exactly what I was hoping for, but I raced with every ounce I had in me and I won a total of 3 medals: Gold in the Women’s Elite Team Sprint, Silver in the Keirin, Bronze in the 500m Time Trial and 6th in the Sprints.

It was a great week with Team USA, winning the overall medal count with 12 medals. I was happy to be back racing in Trinidad and seeing my friends again. The USA Cycling staff were there every step of the way, ensuring we execute our best performance. And I’m thankful for the opportunity, and excited to continue to put in the work with my Coach, Andrew Harris of Sprinter’s Edge.”