Cortez, CO - February 13, 2017 - Decades after retiring from professional cycling, Inga Thompson has chosen to return to the sport she loves with a renewed passion. Partnering with Mission Sports Group, Thompson will be working as an advocate for the women's peloton along with other projects.
"When I was racing I always wanted an advocate just for the women, whatever scope that was. I never felt like we had somebody," Thompson said. "25 years later, there's a really good movement going by two groups in Tucson, Arizona. Mission Sports Group is continuing to do its part to promote the women in our sport.
"I see the women in cycling coming together and thought I could help be one of the people that creates that tipping point. I'm sure there are others who have been out of the loop, but who want to be involved in promoting women in the sport. There are a lot of people starting to rally around the women and I want to be a part of that movement. We need to keep this forward momentum and not let it stall out."
Thompson burst onto the scene in 1984, making the Olympic team after only three months on the bike. She retired in 1993 having become one of the most influential women in the sport. Recognized by her long braided hair she pinned to her jersey, Thompson was a 10-time National Champion, competing in three Olympics, finishing on the podium twice at the Tour Cycliste F+