Matrix-Vulpine, one of Britain’s leading domestic women’s teams, has announced its intentions to become a UCI-registered outfit for 2015.
Following the team’s appearance at the inaugural Friend’s Life Women’s Tour it does seem like an obvious step for the team who are currently run by Stef Wyman.
A statement on the Matrix Vulpine website this morning said the following:
“Five years of concerted efforts by On The Drops and our partners to develop women’s cycling, as well as vying for a place in the peloton has flown by. The UK has now got televised races, a UCI stage race in the form of the Women’s Tour of Britain, and a depth of competition never seen before. We are, however, still lacking a domestic professional team for British road riders to aspire to. In 2015 we hope to change this as we take the project forwards to become a full UCI pro team.
We have the necessary letters of intent from our major sponsors and are working hard to secure some additional superb elite riders that will be necessary to make this project a success. Our ambition is to create a team and structure, that can go to pro races to be in the cadre of potential winners or at least shine through our performances at the highest level”
It’s likely that Stefan Wyman will be stepping away from the director sportif role, and focusing on team management. This will be the 6th year, and there will be a need to maintain a high level of focus on return on investment for our partners as well as sporting success. It’s this mentality that has enabled us to survive and thrive and continually improve for over 5 years that’s put us in this position. Imagine what’s going to be possible in our 10th year!
We now have the funding to commence the UCI professional registration process and we are committed to a largely British team. We are also looking at the potential of an official feeder team in the UK from which stagiaire riders would be called. We have already commenced the search for team accommodation in Belgium, likely Oudenaarde, and a service course facility.
Things are looking incredibly exciting for the team, but we want to ensure we have the best opportunity to sign great riders and we can hit the ground running. Planning winter training camps, bike fitting and dialling in other equipment needs to start as soon as possible. We can’t wait until October, when we can finally reveal the extent of our project. It’s a huge step forward, and now is the time!”
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