Australian rider Chloe Hosking announced today that she’s moving on from Wiggle High5, to join Italian outfit Alé Cipollini Galassia for the 2017 season. The 25-year-old has signed a one year deal, having raced for Wiggle High5 for two seasons.
Having just enrolled in an online law degree programme, and being newly engaged, Hosking wants a team that will allow her to train in Australia for most of the year – something that the new management structure allows provided she spends two dedicated blocks racing in Europe.
“I don’t like standing still. It’s time to move on.”
Discussing the move, Hosking said: “I don’t like standing still. It’s time to move on.”
She added: “I made the decision that I wanted a more flexible work environment that would give me really concentrated periods of racing in Europe and then allow me to train in Australia. I realise it’s unorthodox and that not every team would be open to offering this sort of arrangement. I’m really excited that Alé Cipollini Galassia can and is willing to allow me try it and see how it works.”
She added: “Essentially, next year is a fusion between enjoying riding my bike and enjoying my family.”
Hosking has had a hugely successful 2016 season, with stage wins at the Tour of Qatar, as well as La Route de France and the Giro Rosa. She also sprinted to victory on the Champs-Elysees at La Course by Le Tour de France and won the Tour of Chongming Island overall: not a bad haul.
Having turned pro in 2010, Hosking explained: “In 2017 I’m seeking out more of what’s made this year so successful in the first place. I’ve always found that when I’m in a happy head space that I ride a lot better, and I get in a happy head space from spending time with my family and my partner. This year, they came to me. Next year, I’m staying with them.”
Manager at Hosking’s new team, Fortunato Lacquaniti said: “We worked with Chloe on her race program, like we do with our other athletes. We believe this sort of planning allows us to reach our objectives as a team. We strongly pursued Chloe for Alé Cipollini Galassia, and we are proud to give the official announcement of this signing. We have put in a lot of effort to create a strong and stable team. With the arrival of Chloe, the team has two great leaders in Chloe and Marta Bastianelli.”
“Hopefully I’m returning with rainbow stripes.”
Hosking is a two-time stage winner at the Tour of Qatar, and has finished on the overall podium three times as well as winning the youth classification twice. It’s handy then, that the UCI World Championships will he held in Qatar. Discussing her expected start to the 2017 season she said, tellingly: “Hopefully I’m returning with rainbow stripes.”
