British women’s team On The Drops, known this year as Matrix Fitness Racing Academy, will be co-sponsored by clothing brand Vulpine in 2014.
The team, to be rebranded Matrix Vulpine Racing Team, are bidding to secure a place at the Women’s Tour as they continue in their long-term goal of boosting women’s cycling, having announced their 2014 roster.
Managed by Stefan Wyman, husband of British cyclo-cross ace Helen Wyman, the team has previously included Helen, Lizzie Armitstead and Olympic champions Joanna Rowsell and Dani King.
And next year’s roster will be boosted by the arrivals of Dutch sprinter Sigrid Jochems, Scottish all-rounder Louise Borthwick, and rising British star Bethany Hayward – who finished 20th in the junior women’s World Championship road race.
Para-cyclist Lora Turnham will join her fellow world tandem road time trial champion Corrine Hall after also signing for 2014, and Penny Rowson completes the list of new additions.
Retained from last season are Hall, Mel Lowther, Jo Tindley, Harriet Owen and Jessie Walker.
Vulpine founder Nick Hussey described his brand’s involvement with the team as “flipping brilliant” and said he was “ecstatic”.
“I’ve always loved bike racing, and did a bit myself,” he said. “I wasn’t terribly good, so the aim went from being in a top team, to dreaming of having my logo on the jersey of one as a headline sponsor.
“We have grand ambitions on the road, and in the wider world of cycling. We believe in positivity and drive to achieve a better supported women’s cycling overall. That is why Matrix Vulpine is so perfect for us.”
Alongside the Women’s Tour, the team will also look to compete in the Tour Series, the London Nocturne and RideLondon.
Kit for 2014 will be provided by London brand Milltag, with Ed Cowburn, founder of the label, making kit available to fans now on both milltag.cc and vulpine.cc.
Packages are available for fans to have their own names printed on the kit, and the first 100 to order will also have their name on the team car.
For more information visit http://www.onthedrops.cc/
