Slipstream Sports, the parent company of the Garmin-Cervélo team, has announced a partnership deal with the AA Drink-Leontien.nl team, where the majority of its 2011 roster is now registered. The deal will see the team – in which former World time trial champion Emma Pooley and British champion Lizzie Armitstead are reunited with former Cervélo TestTeam-mate Dutch super sprinter Kirsten Wild – will be administered by the US organisation, but the Dutch team will handle the race operations.
The women’s Garmin-Cervélo team was due to compete in 2012, with nine of its 2011 riders under contract, until it was announced in November that the budget was not available to run its race programme.
“We are pleased to partner with AA Drink-Leontien.nl,” said Slipstream CEO Jonathan Vaughters. “Michael Zilaard has built a strong organization and we are excited to work with him to combine our strengths. The 2012 team looks strong and we believe it will be a great year ahead.”
Former pro Zijlaard is the husband of Dutch legend Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel, who co-sponsors the team with her personal women’s lifestyle website.
"We are excited to work with Slipstream Sports and to add group of outstanding riders,” he said. “Looking ahead to the big events in 2012, I am convinced that we will be competitive on all fronts, from the Olympic Games to the World Championships to the Tour of Italy,'' said team manager Michael Zijlaard, AA Drink/Leontien.nl. "Superstars Emma Pooley and Lizzie Armistead add huge firepower to an already strong team and we are excited to start the season."
As part of the deal, which has seen Pooley, Armitstead, Lucy Martin, Sharon Laws, Carla Ryan and Jessie Daams transfer across, the Dutch team will ride Cervélo bikes in 2012.
2012 AA Drink/Leontien.nl Cycling Team Roster:
Elizabeth Armitstead (UK)
Chantal Blaak (NL)
Lucinda Brand (NL)
Jessie Daams (BEL)
Sharon Laws (UK)
Lucy Martin (UK)
Shelley Olds (USA)
Madelene Olsson (SWE)
Emma Pooley (UK)
Carla Ryan (AUS)
Isabelle Söderberg (SWE)
Marijn de Vries (NL)
Marieke van Wanroij (NL)
Kirsten Wild (NL)