Destroyed. Annihilated. Murdered.

Choice words to describe a night of competitive cycling. But to hear Shailie Sanbrooks, a seemingly gentle and happy 28-year-old, describe her first night of racing in the Victoria Cycling League back in 2009 is to hear the tale of a proud survivor.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know why I kept going. I remember it was just up and down climbing, over and over. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the thing about cycling,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淎fter races you think B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檝e never hurt like this before.B次元官网网址� Then you sign up again.B次元官网网址�

Since then Sanbrooks balanced a schedule of full-time work and high performance training, and turned it into the enlightening future she had hoped for B次元官网网址� a pro contract to race with Team Kenda (presented by Geargrinder) for the 2012 season.

To Sanbrooks, hearing those magic words B次元官网网址� pro racing B次元官网网址� means everything to her right now.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 super grateful to have jumped the gap to pro as soon as I did. ItB次元官网网址檚 so hard for women to go pro from amateur.B次元官网网址�

Needless to say, Sanbrooks went on to win the Victoria Cycling LeagueB次元官网网址檚 elite womenB次元官网网址檚 trophy twice since joining up. As for the pro contract, Sanbrooks will receive a travel voucher, have her races paid for and get a professionally customized bike thatB次元官网网址檚 hers to sell at the end of the season. Her team will split the prize pot of any wins. Team Kenda is from Indiana but Sanbrooks will be based out of St. Louis, MO., from March to September.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a major achievement for Sanbrooks as there arenB次元官网网址檛 a lot of pro womenB次元官网网址檚 teams.

Getting the contract took getting noticed.

This past summer Sanbrooks competed in three of the bigger races held in AmericaB次元官网网址檚 heartland. She didnB次元官网网址檛 win any but, as an individual riding against teams, she made some noise on behalf of Russ Hays The Bicycle Shop.

Literally.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 funny because firstly, I couldnB次元官网网址檛 have done it without Russ Hays,B次元官网网址� she said, as the shopB次元官网网址檚 owner, Mike Clermont, outfitted her with a high-end racing bike, unlimited maintenance and gear at cost for the past two seasons.

B次元官网网址淏ut I actually raced as if I was Russ Hays the person,B次元官网网址� she laughed.

In a humorous misunderstanding, she was introduced as cyclist Russ Hays from Victoria, B.C. The mistake was repeated over the public address system at the beginning of each and every stage of the 11-day, Tour of AmericaB次元官网网址檚 Dairyland race in Wisconsin in June.

B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 figure it out. A girl named Russ?B次元官网网址�

Still, Sanbrooks finished 13th overall among the 67 pro women who started the race, third among the eight racers entered from Team Kenda.

B次元官网网址淚 was frustrated because I couldnB次元官网网址檛 get into the single digits. ItB次元官网网址檚 a learning experience with a lot of positioning and tactics. Every little move matters,B次元官网网址� she said.

Her last transition

It should be noted along with her effort and sacrifice, Sanbrooks also has a recent history as a world-class triathlete.

Sanbrooks insists itB次元官网网址檚 her background of proper training and B次元官网网址渒nowing how to hurtB次元官网网址� thatB次元官网网址檚 kept her on the road. In fact, her original motive for relocating from Ladysmith to the border of Victoria and Saanich in 2009 was to continue as a triathlete.

B次元官网网址淥nce I realized I couldnB次元官网网址檛 run like (Kirsten) Sweetland, I soon gave it up. ThereB次元官网网址檚 nothing like (starting a triathlon by) killing the swim and having a good bike, only to get (passed by others) in the run,B次元官网网址� she said.

The cost of working

A lot goes into becoming pro.

In preparation for the upcoming race season Sanbrooks is embarking for New Zealand this week where sheB次元官网网址檒l train until she goes to St. Louis in March.

All the while sheB次元官网网址檚 relying on her own savings to cover rent and day-to-day expenses.

ItB次元官网网址檚 part of a limitation thatB次元官网网址檚 kept her out of the discussion as a top-10 cyclist in Canada, said former coach Houshang Amiri.

B次元官网网址淔or me, Sanbrooks hasnB次元官网网址檛 achieved her potential, so itB次元官网网址檚 hard to say where she could be in the national rankings. Top-10 is not out of her range,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 very motivated and is definitely an athlete with potential.B次元官网网址�

Amiri is the master coach of the Pacific Cycling Centre in Victoria. He worked with Sanbrooks in 2010 and is currently working with Olympian Erinne Willock, 30, of Team Tibco and national junior champion Annie Ewart, 18, who is set to go pro next year as well.

B次元官网网址淵ou have to be good to get in (a pro team), and better to stay there,B次元官网网址� he said.

For Sanbrooks, it means this time next year sheB次元官网网址檒l have another decision to make. Based on her results sheB次元官网网址檒l either continue racing or, might have to take time to work and train.

sports@vicnews.com