COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Diane Fortini (Hanson, Mass.) became the seventh person to be added to the USA Cycling Officials’ Hall of Fame. She was presented with a plaque and ceremony at the USA Cycling (USAC) headquarters on February 16, during the 2019 Official’s Summit. Fortini has spent the better part of the last 25 years as part of the cycling community, as an official, member of the Board of Trustees, liaison to the Bermuda Cycling Center, and a fixture within the New England Bicycle Racing Association (NEBRA).
“Diane has been a steadfast supporter of New England cycling for decades now. Her mantra of "Safe, Fair and Fun" represents the core principles of NEBRA and provides us an enduring legacy,” said JD Bilodeau, the NEBRA Administrator. “From the USCF to USA Cycling, through the transition from District Reps to Local Associations, Diane has helped riders, officials, and event directors make New England one of the very best regions in the country.”
Fortini achieved the rank of National Commissaire in 2004, and has been recognized as an official of the year at the local, regional, and national levels on multiple occasions. She has acted as Chief Referee at multiple national championships, and was a part of some of the biggest events in American cycling, including the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta, Ga., CoreStates, Tour of Georgia, and Tour of California. A long time member and contributor to the Mass Bay Road Club, she had a perspective and command of the sport at all levels. Among the other accolades that Fortini has received, NEBRA named their service award the “Diane Fortini Lifetime Service Award”.
“If you’ve never met her, Diane’s diminutive stature belies her sense of command at events. She’s rarely without a smile on her face, and she treats all members of the cycling community with respect and dignity. As one who believes in cultivating newcomers to the sport, Diane has devoted herself to mentoring new officials and grassroot cycling. There is an entire generation of officials in this country who have benefited from the groundwork she has laid out in the past quarter century,” said Randy Shafer, USA Cycling Technical Director.
