Evergreen, CO

Monica Bascio, renewed her contract today, to race handcycles for Invacare Top End during the 2008 season. Despite taking the entire 2007 season off to have her first child, Henry, Monica has been training hard on the xc ski this winter and will race in Norway in March. Following the ski season, she will prepare to race in the U.S. Paralympics team selection even in Denver this coming June.

"I wasn't sure if would race handcycles again after the birth of my son, Henry, but it is has been my passion since 1998....I have been working hard to get back in shape this fall and winter and I might just be pretty fast come June." said Bascio. Bascio -- IPC World Handcycling Champion in 2002 -- has a chance to make the 2008 Paralympic team, headed to the games in Beijing where the women's handcycling event will make it's debut at the games. "I got a little more motivated when I heard there would be a women's event in Beijing...I'm not sure if I'll be ready in time [for the trials in June], but I have to give it a shot...sure my strengths and weaknesses are much different than they were in 2002, but I have to get out there and give it a shot...even if I don't make the team, I'll make sure that U.S. Paralympics knows I'm not completely off the radar just yet!" 

Besides her engine, Monica's biggest weapon since 2002, has been her world class equipment...designed by Chris Peterson at Invacare / Top End. For 2008, Bascio and Peterson have a few -- yet-to-be-revealed -- new weapons in the arsenal. "Sometimes he [Peterson] gets inspired, goes in to the shop and comes out with some revolutionary ideas." said Bascio. "I can't really reveal much right now, but I will say that this year is no exception."

Bascio is in very elite company with Invacare Top End, including world class athletes like Ernst Van Dyk, Krige Schabort, and her sometimes training partner, Oz Sanchez.

For more information about Invacare, and Top End -- their sports division -- visit their website .