Dolores resident Lauren Hall has been selected to represent the U.S. National Team in the UCI Road World Championships.
The championship, which is considered one of the most competitive road races in the world, will take place in Ponferrada, Spain, Sept. 21-28 and will consist of 12 events for elite, under-23 and junior cyclists.
Hall will compete for Team USA's Elite Team alongside teammates Evelyn Stevens, Shelley Olds, Megan Guarnier, Alison Powers, Mara Abbott and Durango resident Carmen Small.
"Its an honor to be selected to represent Team USA in addition to racing with my Optum teammates at worlds," said Hall in a quote posted to Optum Pro Cycling's website.
Hall's selection to represent Team USA follows a year for the Dolores-based rider that saw her win the prestigious Gent-Wevelgem road race in Belgium on March 30.
Hall also finished first in the Old Pueblo Grand Prix in Tucson, third in the Philly Cycling Classic in Philadelphia, and near the top of several other road races throughout Europe.
In addition to competing for the U.S. National Team, Hall competes with the Optum Cycling Team Presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies.
A Mississippi native and college soccer player, Hall did not begin cycling competitively until 2007 after entering a triathlon at the behest of her brother.
Since beginning to race, Hall has flourished. In an interview with the Dolores Star earlier this year, she stated that her ultimate goal is to represent the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Between now and then however, Hall plans to continue training in hopes, competing in prestigious events such as the UCI Road World Championships and becoming the best cyclist she can be.
