Starla Teddergreen had an extensive professional cycling career behind her and a spot in the Life Time Grand Prix when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2022. Despite dropping out of the series due to the diagnosis, she reapplied in 2023 and completed the series. 

Starla sat down with Payson this week to discuss the confusing mix of symptoms she began feeling during the pandemic and the skepticism and dismissal she received from doctors before finally receiving an MS diagnosis. Despite the relief of having an answer, however, she had to come to terms with the reality that she might not be able to ride her bike again. She talks about her emotional first race back after her diagnosis when the support of an old friend changed her career trajectory even more than her win, and her plan to race one of the biggest off-road stage races in the world next year. She also talks about how her early years as a bike messenger led her to becoming the 2019 USA Crits winner. 

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