Pana Organic and Pedla Ride into 2025

2025年 1月 29日

Pana Organic and Pedla Team Up For Another Year

New year, new kit.

For those who don't know the riders on the Pana Organic Pedla Team, they're a group of passionate cyclists who compete in road, gravel, and CX events both across the country and internationally, including at UCI level. In 2024, the women’s team was established, bringing together five different women, all with different backgrounds and interests but a common love of the bike and a focus on building community while racing.

As cyclists we exist in a community. Groups large and small .There’s the local club races, CX scene and crits. But also the groups – cyclists, friends, locals – who roll out for a morning training ride or social bunchie. Our team has grown from these traditions. It’s about celebrating relationships that were always there. We’re proud to have seasoned riders on board but we're also passionate about making this team a welcoming, social and inclusive space, encouraging new riders to join us on the road or at the local crit.

Riders around Melbourne who frequent The Boulie might have spotted new flashes of plum on the roads, as the Pana Organic Pedla Team train and race in their new kit. An evolution of our ever-popular Local Loops club kit design, the latest team kit combines our communities favourite roads and the latest team colour palette.

The team will be competing in some of Australia’s iconic races in 2025, as well as local crits in and around their hometown of Melbourne. If you’re at any of the events, be sure to say hello!

Catching up with team leader Jenny Pettenon, she outlines there’s plenty on the cards in 2025.

I’m really excited about the year ahead. We have some unique races we haven’t tackled before, along with many of the regular favourites. The key one is the Shimano Gravel Muster in August, a 4-day gravel stage race through the iconic East MacDonnell ranges in the Northern Territory. It’s going to be an epic challenge and an experience we can’t wait for. The Gran Fondo World Championships, an entirely different type of event, is also on the cards. This international event is being hosted in Lorne and we’re embracing the opportunity to experience an amateur world championship in our own backyard. Amy’s Gran Fondo is such an iconic event to so many riders in our local community, so it’s going to be special to share the experience with everyone.

Meet the team

Jenny Pettenon

Jenny is our longest-standing member and central to the team as chief organiser and team manager. She’s at her happiest on a non-technical gravel trail immersed in the bush or dialed in for an Individual Time Trial (ITT). A full-time HR professional and mother of three, Jenny manages her tight schedule with commitment and a positive attitude.

Bizzy Butterworth

Bizzy is our gravel racing enthusiast, adventure lover, and master planner of epic rides. With extensive experience working in a bike shop, she knows her way around all things cycling. Previously a food, catering, and nutrition specialist, she’s the go-to for solid advice, whether it’s race-day prep or post-ride nutrition. Beyond cycling, Bizzy loves cooking, walking her energetic mutt Peanut and open water swimming. If she's not racing, she's planning the next great adventure.

Erin Mitchell

Erin is our Cyclocross (CX) queen. She’s raced both the state and national series, thriving on the short, technical, full-gas efforts that CX races demand. Off the bike, Erin is an NICU nurse, so shift work adds another layer of challenge to her already busy schedule. Despite the unpredictability, she’s always ready to bring her A-game to every CX event and group ride.

Anna Booth

Anna is the team’s crit specialist, with a power house sprint and a punchy hill climb. After a few years away from elite cycling, she’s back at it, rediscovering her race legs and enjoying the excitement and social side of the bunch. A full-time Occupational Therapist, Anna knows the juggling act it takes to balance work, training and racing, but she’s up for the challenge.

Daniela Mollica

Daniela is the pocket rocket of the team – big on energy, enthusiasm and conversation. A natural climber, she excels in hilly races, even if she claims it’s her weakness. Gravel is her true passion, and this year she’s explored the Mawson Trail and experienced true Belgium Racing at UCI Gravel Worlds. Outside of cycling, Daniela wears many hats: she runs a Chianina beef farm, works as a chiropractor, and somehow finds time to mother three teenagers. Daniela has had cycling in her life for over 35 years and can’t imagine a tomorrow that doesn’t involve two wheels.

February

The penultimate month of the Melbourne Crit scene. There’s always a rider repping the team on the local scene. Feb is also the month for the 4th edition of the Lochard Energy Women’s Classic. A gruelling 160km road race from Colac to Warrnambool that Anna will be lining up for. February also hosts Hawthorn Cycling Clubs famous Hanging Rock Women’s Handicap. A true grass roots inclusive event that we love supporting and the perfect entry to racing for any curious rider.

March

The team will target Peaks Challenge, one of Australia’s toughest endurance events. Some riders will race, while others will take on the community ride leader role.

April

The Australian National Gravel Championships in SA is the major target for the team this month, with the entire team planning on contesting their categories. April also sees the commencement of the Victorian Time Trial and CX series.

May

A busy month with key gravel races, including The Devils Cardigan in Tasmania and the well-known SeVen Gravel Race in Margaret River, WA.

June

The local road racing scene kicks off, with weekly races around Victoria. The Individual Time Trial and local CX Series will continue.

July

More winter racing with a highlight being the local club handicaps. The Individual Time Trial series and local CX series will also continue.

August

An exciting month for Jenny, Bizzy and Anna as they tackle the epic Shimano Gravel Muster, a gruelling 4 day gravel stage race in the East MacDonnell Ranges in the NT. It's also a key month for Erin with a cluster of the National CX events in South Australia. It’s also the finale of the Victorian Time Trial Series with the State Championships.

September

The team will focus on the Australian National Masters Road Championships this month. Hosted by the city of Wagga Wagga in NSW with 3 events to be contested over 3 days. A road race, individual time trial and criterium.

October

A big month with the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships coming to Victoria in Lorne, bringing top amateur cyclists from around the world to contest both the road race and time trial. Anna, Daniela and Jenny are qualified and will target this as a key event for 2025. It’s also the month for the Gravel World Championships in Nice, France. Bizzy (qualified for both events) will likely head to Europe to contest her category on the gravel.

November

By November the Melbourne Crit scene is in full swing. Weekly crits can be contested most days of the week and we have riders supporting all the different clubs across the city.

December

The year wraps up with more local crit racing and plenty of social Christmas rides, closing the season with a mix of fun and competition.