May 10, 2006 — The Colavita/Cooking Light Women’s Cycling Team is excited to announce that New Zealand rider Melissa (Meshy) Holt has joined the team for the remainder of the season. Holt, who has previously raced in North America with the Rona team and last year rode for Team SATS out of Denmark, started this year with a 2nd place finish at the Geelong Tour, which kicked off 2006 international racing season in February. She followed that up with a 4th place finish at the Commonwealth Games Time Trial.

Holt is a very strong time trialist and can ride for a high finish at stage races, while also being a strong all around rider that excels in the North American crypt style of races. “We are very excited to add a rider of Meshy’s quality to our team, as both her ability and leadership on the bike are world class,” said team director Jim Williams. Holt will make her debut at the Triple Crown race series starting with the Lancaster criterium.

Meshy Holt
DOB: December 11, 1976
Height: 171cm
Weight: 64kg
Nationality: New Zealand

Melissa Holt, known to the cycling world as Meshy was introduced to cycling in April 1998 as a subject in a PhD cycling training study. She cycled for four months indoors on a wind-trainer while completing a Bachelor of Physical Education at the University of Otago. The following year she began competing in local cycling events and joined a club. In 2000 she ventured to North America for 4 months to race and enjoyed the experience so much that she continued to compete on the professional women’s cycling circuit.

A life long sports fan Meshy has participated in many sports from a young age. Before cycling she had been a Provincial Representative in soccer, netball, athletics and waterpolo.