Stefan Wyman, the former manager of Nicole Cooke’s Vision 1 Racing team, has launched a new women’s racing team to develop the talent of young British riders.
The new team is sponsored by home fitness equipment supplier Horizon Fitness.
It will focus on the development of its young riders by providing them with the best facilities for racing and training, and ensuring that the race program they follow will be 100% tailored to their abilities.
“Women’s cycling is moving forward quickly each year both in terms of the teams and the events.
“However this coming season will see a lot of long established European pro teams ending and new teams looking to start their build up towards London 2012 and beyond,” commented Stefan Wyman.
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“It’s also really important that we start to speak to race organisers about entries already. That’s another area of women’s cycling that is changing fast. Some older races have disappeared for 2010, like the Women’s Tour de France. However, new events are coming all the time as part of the globalisation of women’s cycle sport. The 2010 UCI road calendar includes a World Cup in China and also a Tour of India.”
Sarah Storey (pictured right with Gabby Day) the National pursuit champion and multi world and Olympic paracycling champion and record holder will be competing for the team at home in the UK and on the continent.
About riding under the Horizon Fitness flag, Sarah said, ‘”I’m excited to join Horizon Fitness Kona and making the step up to racing in a team in bigger races. Road racing is an area I’m keen to improve on as an individual and know that in joining this team I’ll be able to continue to develop both skills and physical strength to complement my paracycling races. I’m excited to be working alongside some of GB’s finest young talent and am hoping the 2010 season will see us all mould into a strong team and win races along the way. My personal goals lie with 2010 World Paracycling Champs in Columbia in August and I’d also love to make the team for England at Commonwealth Games.”
British Criterium Champion and British Derny Champion Dani King will be joining from Vision 1 Racing. The ambitious rider said, “I’m looking forward to racing with the other girls and becoming a step closer to my ultimate aim of being World Champion and Olympic Gold medallist.”
Gabby Day, currently enjoying a great season in cyclo-cross in Europe, will also be joining the squad for 2010. She’s been riding for Stefan Wyman for 5 years now and hopes to keep progressing under the new Horizon Fitness squad in 2010.
Finally, Ella Sadler-Andrews will be joining Horizon Fitness. ‘I’m really excited about Ella joining the team. She’s a European track champion, and has huge ability in time trials. There’s no doubt she’s going to be a key member of the team in the coming years and we hope to be able to give her all the opportunities she needs,” commented Wyman on the signing.
Wyman also spoke about the team’s plans for grass roots cycling in the UK. “We will also run a club element of the team, to allow riders to ride with Horizon Fitness and enjoy some of the benefits we will be able to offer. I hope this will form part of a strong development platform for the future teams as we move forward over the years. Any rider wishing to join us should get in touch.”
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
