Premier Travel Inn Rugby, have confirmed that they will be sponsoring the forthcoming Team Fat Birds UK Women’s 2 Day event to be held in the Rugby area on 16th and 17th July. Premier Travel Inn will be sponsoring the Sprint competition and will also provide a prize for the first local rider. Riders living in Leicestershire and Warwickshire will be eligible for this prize. This generous should be help the race organizers ensure the prize list for the race is in excess of £1,000.

Premier Travel Inn will also be providing a reduced room rate for riders who are competing in the race. Rooms will be at a rate of £36 rather than the usual £46.95 per night. Booking should be made via Stefan Wyman, Tel 07788 714 103. Please ensure you quote reference Team FBUK to claim your discount on direct bookings. Premier Travel Inn Rugby are located 2 minutes off the M6 junction 1, and less than 10 minutes from M1 Junction 19.

Race entries have begun to flow and as space at Travel inn is limited, it would be worth while booking early. The hotel is conveniently located between the 2 days races.

Entries for the race are £40 and entry forms should be sent to:
Stefan Wyman
6 Southfield Road
Rugby
CV22 5NJ

Team Fat Birds UK are looking for other individuals and companies who are interested in sponsoring the race and they should contact Stefan on 07788 714 103 or [email protected].

Team Fat Birds UK are a new team for 2005, who aim to raise the standards of women’s cycling in the UK. We hope to provide our riders the opportunity to fulfil their potential by easing both the financial pressures and administration worries of competing at a high level in racing cycling. Backed by ‘Fat Birds Don’t Fly’ in Hunstanton (www.fatbirds.co.uk), team manager Stefan Wyman has assembled a exciting squad of riders with a fantastic blend of skills and experience. A hectic racing schedule in the UK will be combined with an opportunity for riders to experience racing in Europe.

The team is captained by Claire Gross, the Current National Criterium Champion, with 10 further riders competing in Team Fat Birds UK colours including National Under 23 Road Race Champion Lorna Webb, and team leader Helen Wyman who is ranked in the world top 5 for cyclo-cross. For further details please see www.teamfbuk.com

Team Fat Birds UK – The Riders

Helen Wyman; Rugby, Warwickshire
Since qualifying as a physiotherapist, Helen has concentrated on road racing and cyclo-cross, culminating in riding for Great Britain for several seasons allowing her to rise to 3rd in the world rankings. Having ridden in Europe for much of the past two seasons, Helen adds a huge amount of experience to our young squad. This experience in invaluable in the bunch of riders.

Clare Gross; Mossley, Manchester
As National Criterium Champion, Clare Gross has shown her transformation from multinational champion junior to successful senior. Clare is a huge talent on the road, track, cyclo-cross and mountain bike. She has represented Great Britain throughout her career and at 24, brings experience to the team along with her potential for further national championships.

Gabriela Day; Lincoln, Lincolnshire
At only 19 years old, Gabby Day came 3rd in the 2004 UK National Cycle Cross Series. Gabby’s form led to her being called to the Great Britain squad for the European Championships and World Cup series, where she achieved top 20 positions in both events. This rise to the top of the sport has also seen Gabby perform consistently well in road racing in the UK, leading to a race win in the Women Team Series in 2004 and finishing 2nd in the WCRA National Espoir road race championships.

Laura Bissell; Stevenage, Hertfordshire
As both an accomplished track rider and road rider, Laura Bissell provides the team with great strength and a fast finish. The current WCRA Women’s pursuit champion, Laura hopes to use her skills on the road in the UK and in Europe with Team Fat Birds UK. As a former member of British Cycling’s Development Plan, Laura knows what it takes to ride at the top and will be a key member of the team.

Tracey Fletcher; Derby, Derbyshire
Tracey a former County Squash and Badminton player took to cycling in the mid 90’s. Previously rode for the East Midlands Division who came 2nd in the Women’s Team Series 2004 and also received the award for most aggressive team for the second year running. Her experience will be essential in bringing the strengths of the team together and she looks forward to competing with a professional squad.

Lorna Webb; Mossley, Manchester
Lorna is the current National Under 23 Road Race Champion, a title which she won at Beaulieu in Hampshire from new team mate, Gabby Day. Lorna was a member of the Great Britain Road team until this season and is now a member of the GB Track team. Having gained 19th place in the Rotterdam World Cup along with a host of other impressive placing Lorna brings a wealth of experience to the team. Despite concentration on track racing now, her experience should be a great help to the young squad that is being assembled.

More information www.fatbirds.co.uk