Having announced in late July that it was to be creating a new women’s team in 2014 Momentum Sports Group, the owner of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling, has unveiled the names of some of the riders for next season. Expecting to include between ten and twelve riders in all, the team has named the first seven - mostly American - set to wear the blue and white jersey next year.
“We are excited about the addition of our women’s program and looking forward to the 2014 season,” said general manager and team director, Mike Tamayo. “We are pleased to announce the signing of several outstanding professional athletes.
“We anticipate and expect the same drive for excellence from our women’s team that has been established by our men’s team and the riders we are bringing on board will be instrumental in delivering similar results. When hiring for the team, I focused on who is the best in their respective discipline – sprinting, climbing or TT. Then, we went after that talent.”
Heading the list is two-time Giro d’Italia winner Mara Abbott, who returned to the top of the sport this season after fighting an eating disorder to take the second of those victories. The 27-year-old, who previously spent two years with Columbia-HTC, also won the Tour of the Gila and San Dimas Stage Race this season, and was within a few kilometres of taking her third US national title at the end of June when a botched wheel change from a neutral service mechanic caused her rear derailleur to break off.
Also included in the team will be current US criterium - and former time trial - champion Alison Powers, and Olympic team pursuit silver medallist Lauren Tamayo; husband of team manager Mike.
Along with the three experienced senior riders, the team will include some of the most exciting young riders currently racing in the US, including 21-year-old Coryn Rivera - who has taken a total of 47 US titles in all disciplines - former New Zealand champion Rushlee Buchanan, 20-year-old Ruth Winder, and 19-year-old under-23 criterium champion Alexis Ryan.
“We are proud to bring this group of elite athletes into the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team family,” said Thierry Attias, president of Momentum Sports Group. “In addition to their accomplishments on the bike, we are looking forward to having the members of our women’s team represent the UnitedHealthcare brand as ambassadors of healthy living in the many community events we do throughout the country.”