Help Helen's American Season

My name is Helen Baillie-Strong, I am an elite cyclist looking to return to America in 2017 to race the National Road and Crit season with Dallas Racing based in Plano, Texas in the Pro 1/2 catagory.

Born in the UK, I only started racing in 2013 and have enjoyed rising through the elite ranks in New Zealand before two stints in the UK and US in the past two years.

Last year, I spent two months racing in America, where I competed at: OKC Pro Am, Tulsa Tough, North Star Grand Prix, America's Tour of The Dairylands and won bronze at the Texas State Age Group Crit.

This season I placed 7th in the National Crit Champs and 6th in the National TT Champs.

My goal is to spend the entire season (6 months) in America in 2017, continuing to build my career, with the ultimate goals of representing New Zealand at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in The Gold Coast and the Olympics in Tokyo 2020. However it will be costly trip, which is why I am reaching out for some assistance.

For my most recent results, check out my palmares here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lpIfPuDvfHTfLQSmQ16sc6DE6QxUYyAxfgAZHfEH7Rk/edit ?usp=sharing

Exact race schedules yet to be released by USA Cycling, however, provisional races will include:

Weekly crits with Dallas Racing in Plano, Texas Tour of the Gila - New Mexico

The Tour of Utah - Utah

Tusla Tough - Oklahoma

Texas State Crit Champs - Texas

OKC Pro AM - Oklahoma

North Star Grand Prix - Minnesota

Americas Tour of The Dairylands - Wisconsin Other races TBC

Funding required for:

Flights with Air New Zealand from Auckland to Dallas Ft Worth return: $3500 Excess luggage for track bike: $250

Insurance for 6 months: $2500

Food for 6 months: $2400

Race entries ($30 per week): $720

Visa: $300

Weekly Massage/Physio: $1200

USA Racing License: $100

International Racing Licence $240

Other travel expenses: $1000

TOTAL: $12210