World time trial champions Team Specialized lululemon has confirmed four new signings, with French champion Elise Delzenne, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad champion Tiffany Cromwell (Australia), former European road race champion Chantal Blaak (Netherlands) and Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l'Ardèche stage winner Karol Anne Canuel (Canada) coming on board for 2014.
The quartet will join seven returning riders, namely Lisa Brennauer, Loren Rowney, Carmen Small, Ally Stacher, Evelyn Stevens, Tayler Wiles and Trixi Worrack.
Team owner Kristy Scrymgeour said that the team will be ambitious heading into the season and also has the ongoing goal of getting more women on bikes.
“We’re are looking forward to our third season with exciting things happening in women's cycling and some talented new riders joining our roster,” she said. “With many thanks given to all of our partners who are also passionate about the growth of this sport.”
The team confirmed today that both Specialized and lululemon would remain on board as sponsors heading into the new season, thus continuing what has been a successful partnership.
Specialized is one of the world’s top bike manufacturers, while lululemon is a yoga and leisure apparel manufacturer and retailer.
“Specialized is incredibly excited to embark on a third race season with the fastest and most stylish team in the women's peloton,” said the company’s women’s product manager Erin Sprague. “The energy and excitement created by this special group of women is driving the entire sport of women's cycling forward.
“The team has won not only races, but inspired more women to join us in cycling.”
The team took thirty UCI victories in 2013, including the world championship time trial plus Ellen van Dijk’s individual TT gold. While she is moving to the Boels Dolmans team and Ina Yoko Teutenberg is retiring, there are many strong riders remaining, including Giro del Trentino and Philadeliphia Cycling Classic winner Stevens, German champions Worrack and Brennauer, US TT champion and Chrono Gatineau winner Small and Carleton, who continued her transition from specializing in track racing when she won a stage of the Tour Languedoc Roussillon.
Laura Klauberg, SVP of Brand and Community with lululemon athletica, has said that the company is excited to continue its partnership and to continue working with the athletes.
“As well as ensuring the team are the best dressed in the peloton, we continue to look at ways to elevate the team's performance through incorporating yoga into their training routine,” she said.
Also see: Video - Tiffany Cromwell interview part II: Why I’m leaving Orica AIS for Specialized lululemon