Top female cyclist Nicole Mitchell departed for Texas yesterday to step up preparations for arguably the busiest season of her career.

The 30-year old will launch her campaign at next month’s Tour of New Braunfels in the Lone Star state before jetting off to Arizona for the Valley of the Sun and Tucson Bicycle Classic.

All three events will provide Mitchell with ideal training for May’s Pan American Continental Championships in Guatemala.

The Ariel Re software developer arrived in Texas in excellent physical condition.

“I have been building my base fitness throughout the winter and have headed back to the gym to increase my strength work,” Mitchell said.

“Already, my coach [Kendra Wenzel] and I are seeing some very positive results in my early season fitness testing.

“My early season markers are above where they were last year so I am very encouraged and excited to see how my racing goes this year.”

Mitchell’s schedule will also see her compete at October’s Caribbean Cycling Championships in Puerto Rico and November’s Central American and Caribbean Games in Mexico, along with appearances at National Racing Calendar events in the United States.

“I competed in several National Racing Calendar level races in the US last year,” she said.

“These races are the highest level of racing available in the United States. I will be competing in several of these events this year and will be looking to improve my overall placement in these races.

“My primary goals for 2014 are to represent Bermuda at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and to obtain a Pan American Games qualification spot at this year’s Caribbean Cycling Championships. I would like to have solid performances at both the Pan American Continental Championships and CAC Games.

“The Caribbean Cycling Championships will be very important to obtain qualifying spots for Pan American Games in 2015. I will be seeking one of these qualifying spots and then try and carry over my fitness to perform well at CAC Games later in November.”

Last year saw Mitchell add to her impressive resume after claiming a gold medal at the NatWest Island Games and a pair of bronze medals at the Caribbean Cycling Championships in Curacao.

“My crowning achievement in 2013 would have to be another double medal performance at the Caribbean Cycling Championships and earning a CAC qualifying spot,” she said.

“The level of racing at the Caribbean Cycling Championships is becoming stronger every year and this past year was my third time representing Bermuda at the event and my third time being on podium for both the time trial and the road race.

“I definitely met my goals for 2013 and exceeded them in some races. Winning the first gold medal of the NatWest Island Games in Bermuda was an amazing achievement.”