And so the team started the new 2016 season. As they noted in their press release back in October this year is twofold. Firstly, the team will support the British track stars, Laura Trott and Elinor Barker providing a secure and stress-free base on which to build their Olympic campaign. Secondly, the team will commit more resources to its Rider Academy Program which is helping riders progress and pursue European racing ambitions in a unique and supportive environment.
But before moving into this exciting time Team Manager, Stef Wyman looked back on his high points of 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNumber one has to be the rise and rise of\u00a0Molly Weaver. From the summer of 2014 when we first started speaking to her and her team at the time (Epic Cycles) about the potential of her joining us, she was nothing but fantastic.\u00a0 We helped her off the bike, and hopefully on it, and played a part in helping her step up the ladder to the new guidance of Hans Timmerman at Liv-Plantur, with whom I hold a huge amount of respect for.\u00a0 She deserves all the success she gets.\u00a0 Her ride in\u00a0Omloop Het Nieuwsblad\u00a0(30th) and also\u00a0Gent-Wevelgem\u00a0(15th) really stood out.\u00a0 They weren\u2019t her best results on paper but you could see the belief Molly gained from these performances about what was achievable in the future.\u00a0 It was actually very inspiring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe success of our \u201ctrack riders\u201d. I took more than the normal level of public bashing about my move to sign two track riders,\u00a0Laura Trott\u00a0and\u00a0Elinor Barker.\u00a0 I am still not sure why, as these riders are champions. They inspire the other riders in the team, they are professionals, and they are winners.\u00a0\u00a0 Seeing them become our road focus in several events was fantastic, especially Elinor with her taking a Jersey in the Women\u2019s Tour and also at the\u00a0GP Elsy Jacobs\u00a0in Luxembourg.\u00a0\u00a0 Special moments for sure and their efforts and commitment were hugely appreciated by all of the back room crew at the team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCompeting at La Course. An event I had not been to before, but one I am really proud we reached. I shared the trip and the memories from it with some of my best friends who have been a huge part in the team\u2019s success. It proved to me that the event is far more than tokenism (My blog \u2013 Being careful what we wish for) and I hadn\u2019t appreciated the enormity of the event from the outside. For a team and our sponsors the event is massive, it was off the scale. I will miss being there in 2016, but I will not miss that dreadful weather.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWinning! To me that is what cycling is about. It doesn\u2019t matter what level, or what events; it\u2019s about winning. People often talk about developing riders and development teams, but the focus in these teams, and top teams, is always on winning. So to win was relief to be honest. Christina Siggaard won a great race in Belgium and showed consistent form in the sprint. She is a talented rider I hope she can go onto great things. Kim Le Court also took a fantastic win after joining the team mid-season. She won in Belgium, having followed some team instructions helping her change good performances to the best result. She appreciated and understood the advice, grew as a rider, and I am sure winning in Belgium will stand her in good stead in her new team in Spain. There were many wins along the way, they give everyone a boost and they raise your standards, your expectations and your opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe team behind the riders was exceptional in 2015. Stuart MacLean helping me keep the train on the tracks as always, Huw Williams, Bart Raeymaekers, and Tom Prenan with the photography, the sponsors and belief they have in our program especially Jon and Gemma at Matrix Fitness. Then there is Richard Meadows (Mechanic), Dud (Swannie) and Steve. Their day to day contribution was massive. They worked themselves beyond anything I could have imagined or asked for. To work with your closest friends is such a pleasure. I\u2019m putting all my focus onto building something bigger and stronger for 2017, when this fantastic crew can be reunited. Every shred of success from 2015 goes firmly to them and their hard work. I just drive the bus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our final thought is that 2016 season will be one where we will move forward with our team principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giving Stability, Rewarding Partnerships, Forging a Future<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hopefully this time in 2017 we will review top performances at the Olympics and a new level for the team to look forward to.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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