Cervélo TestTeam has signed British rider Sharon Laws for 2010.
Laws holds a degree in biology and a master’s in conservation and has worked with the British government, the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations. In 2002 Laws began participating in multisport events and over the next few years, while still working full-time, she took part in multi-day mountain bike stage races, including the TransAlp and Cape Epic, which she won in 2004.
Laws began to train on the road, and in 2008, having moved to Australia for work, she participated in the Australian national road race championships and finished 2nd. Laws moved back to the UK in 2008 to become a full-time cyclist, riding on Team Halfords.
During the 2008 season, Laws finished 6th in the Tour de l’Aude and 5th in the Tour of Ardeche. She also represented Great Britain in the Olympic road race and in the World Championship road race and time trial.
In 2009 Laws turned her focus to mountain biking, winning the female pairs category of the Cape Epic for the second time and representing Britain in the European Championships, but after a bad shoulder injury she returned to the road in August and finished 7th in the Tour of Ardeche. She represented Britain at the World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, last month.
“I signed with Cervélo TestTeam because the team is run very professionally and has some of the best equipment in the industry. In addition the riders are committed to racing aggressively with a strong emphasis on teamwork. Participating on this team will provide me with an incredible opportunity to develop and improve significantly as a rider,” stated Laws.
Her experience in the different cycling disciplines could also be a benefit for product development, one on of the advantages Cervélo hopes to gain out of sponsoring professional teams.
“Sharon is one of the strongest climbers in the peloton, having come from a different sport into cycling and made great progress in a short time. She still needs to develop some technical skills, but she is extremely strong and will be a valuable support rider for our climbing team, especially for our GC riders Claudia Häusler (winner of the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de l’Aude), Emma Pooley (winner of the Grande Boucle) and Christiane Soeder,” said Thomas Campana, Cervélo Team Manager.