Vanderkitten scored another big name announcing today that Bridie O’Donnell will ride for the Vanderkitten Squad staring in March. After two years of riding with Italian squads O’Donnell is looking to make the Los Altos/Mountain View her home base while she tries to get in a bunch of TT’s against the likes of Clara Hughes, and Kristen Armstrong, while she tries to qualify for the 2012 World TT Championships.

Vanderkitten-Focus Director, and NorCal stalwart was obviously happy with the move when contacted, “Stoked to have one of the most popular female cyclists in the world on Vanderkitten-Focus. Bridie is an outspoken advocate for the sport. She is super articulate and a great voice for women’s cycling. The combination of Bridie O’Donnell, Katheryn Curi-Mattis and Jennifer Reither leading new young talent like Emily Collins and Ruth Winder bodes for an exciting season for our upstart squad. Cant wait!”

O’Donnell is a popular Australian athlete often appearing on talk shows to promote women’s athletics and cycling, as well as commentating on select events in Australian. O’Donnell is scheduled to arrive in time for Redlands and plans to take on the Gatineau Chrono UCI 1.1, Liberty Classic, Nature Valley GP, select NCNCA events, and maybe even drop in for some Beat the Clock TT’s.

With O’Donnell lining up alongs side the likes of Emily Collins and Ruth Winder Vanderkitten-Focus is going from up a notch from dark horse to contender in both stages races and crits. Get your Beat the Clock entries locked in early!