NRC Elite Team

Watch for TWR at top races in 2012!

The NRC Elite Team is a selection of riders who compete at the highest level of US racing, as well as local and regional events. We are focused on top-level competition, but still spend time promoting competitive cycling within our own communities, from North Carolina to PA.

Patty Buerkle, Category 1 Road

I hail from the beloved home of the black and gold, Pittsburgh, PA. I grew up running track and cross country, which evolved into marathons, trail running, and the 50k. After a few years of messengering, I found myself out west, training and racing mountain bikes, but eventually gravitated toward road and cyclocross racing back east, fancying dirt roads and long climbs. When I am not on the bike I do research for the Universitry of Pittsburgh, enjoy the arts and eat Thai.

Patty's Career Highlights:

1 st - Madeira Criterium

4 th - Battenkill Roubaix

Seven national-level top-5 finishes

16 national-level top-20 finishes

Debbie Dust, Category 1 Road
I recently relocated to Richmond from Chicago and am amazed at the kindness and welcoming friendliness I have encountered, especially within the cycling community. My motivation and love for riding have returned after a brief but very necessary hiatus. I'm SO looking forward to 2012! In the past I was more of a 'sprinter' per se but have worked very dilligently to improve as a time trialist and climber. 10 years experience racing at the national level with respectable finishes at Joe Martin Stage Race, Nature Valley Grand Prix,Tour of America's Dairyland, Tour of Elk Grove, and wins at Superweek/International Cycling Classic. My 20 years of racing experience have prepared me well to be a strong contributor in 2012 and help lead our team to top finishes every time we race. We have a tremendously talented team and I'm so excited to be part of it.

Debbie's Career Highlights:
-38 Illinois State titles
-Multiple-time Illinois Rider of the Year
-Multiple-time Mid-America TT Series Champion
-More than 100 wins and even more podium placings
-3 time medalist at Masters Nationals (35-39) TT and Crit

Amanda Eichert, category 2 road

I am 26 years old and living in Virginia Beach, VA. I spent years horseback riding and running cross country, but in the last three years transitioned into cycling and have been racing for two years now. I love racing in criteriums, but also really enjoy road races. When I'm not on my bike, I work as a Government Consultant and spend time with my Golden Retriever, Darby, roaming the trails at First Landing State Park.

Amanda's Career Highlights:
1st place Conquor the Canal Time Trial 2011, cat. 3

1st place Sprint into Spring Criterium 2011, cat. 3/4

2nd place Amphibious Assult Criterium 2011, cat.3

2nd place VA State Time Trial Championships 2011, cat. 3

3rd place American Pride Criterium 2011, elite women

Brenna Hosang, Category 2 Road

New to Tradewinds for 2012...

From Virginia Beach, VA.  Loves long dificult road races!

Bio coming soon!



Emily Joyner, Category 1 Road
I began cycling after college when I realized there were no mountains or rocks to climb in my new home, Virginia Beach. My competitive nature quickly led me to racing and I have been hooked ever since. I have a five-year-old son, I enjoy street sprints, sprint finishes, and down-hill time trials. When I am not on the bike I am playing with my son, teaching middle school math, or coaching track.

Emily's Career Highlights

24 first place finishes (08- 11)

23 podium places (2010-2011)

1st place in Virginia "Best All Around Rider" (2010)

1st place in VA state Criterium & Time Trial (2010)

1st place in VA State Omnium Championship (2010)





Julie Kuliecza, Category 1 Road

Originally a soccer and field hockey player, I came to cycling because of various knee injuries. After my first season of road racing I was hooked. I currently race cyclocross, road and when I have the time mountain bikes. I am most happy racing in mud a la cross style. I consider myself a very good worker bee and I am looking forward to the prospect of having some very awesome teammates this year on the road. When not racing my bike you can find me eating various delicious foods, drinking coffee, watching really bad zombie movies or listening to music your mom would hate.

Julie's Career Highlights
-12 first place finishes (2007 - 2010)
-28 podium place finishes (2007 - 2010)
-2 time Virginia State Cyclocross Champion


Amanda Watson, Category 1 Road

A Washingtonian for nearly a decade, but raised in Pennsylvania and migrated south by way of NYC. I purchased my first road bike in the summer of 2006 and the addiction to speed led me to try racing in 2007. After joining Artemis I proudly wore purple for three seasons. Last year I races on an elite team and got a taste for racing with the nation's best. When I am not training I can be found teaching spin classes, working in a bike shop, and managing transportation logistics. In my small fragments of free time, I pretend to be an artist and musician and am always in the mood for ping-pong, skateboarding and exploring new places!

Amanda's Career highlights:

Four first place finishes (2009 - 2010)

12 podium place finishes (2009 - 2010)

1st Jefferson Cup (2010)

2nd Bear Mountain Fall Road Race (2010)

3rd Speed Week: Dilworth Criterium (2010)

3rd Green Mountain Stage Race - Road Race (2010)

5th Green Mountain Stage Race - GC (2010)

Leslie Winters, Category 1 Road

I am a sprinter who lives in Virginia Beach, VA and have raced track, road and cyclo-cross throughout my career. My favorite type of race is a criterium and I consider myself to be an aging sprinter. My favorite recovery drink is Champion Nutrition's "MET Endurance" (it really works!). I work for the Department of Defense as a computer scientist. My husband, Dave, lives in Philadelphia and may be seen enthusiastically supporting the team with his new Austrian cow bell.


Leslie's Career Highlights:
4-time Illinois Elite Rider of the year
100+ career victories