German and British cyclocross champions will ride alongside one another in selected races
Hanka Kupfernagel will ride as a guest rider for the Horizon Fitness team in some selected events in 2011, the team announced today. The German cyclocross champion, who is a four-time World cyclocross champion as well as a former World time trial champion, will represent the British team as she builds up to a number of targets, which include an attempt to regain her time trial rainbow jersey.
“We’d like to take part in two high profile events in Germany,” said team manager Stefan Wyman. “Thüringen Rundfahrt is six day stage race which is organised in a very professional manner. Everything about this race carried out to a high standard and it’s an event that we’d very much like to be a part of. The same can be said for Sparkassen Giro, a UCI 1.1 ranked event. It’s an event I’ve taken teams to many times and would be an ideal race for our team.”
Kupfernagel is local to the Thüringen Rundfahrt, with one of the key climbs in the race known informally as “Hanka Mountain”. With the German in the team, Horizon Fitness should be assured of an invitation.
“This season, our team is all about fast tracking our rider’s development so that we are in the best position possible to become a professional team in 2012,” Wyman explained. “We have some outstanding riders and it clear to me that the riders would learn a huge amount given the opportunity to ride for a World Class team leader.
“We’re looking at a very carefully selected race program including some high profile events, both stage races and one day races. Riders like Dani King and Jess Allen are going to learn firsthand how to lead a team in major races from someone I consider to be the best.
“This also shows the ambition of the team,” he added. “We’re not here to float along at the level we’ve already achieved. We’re looking to push forward and it’s great that riders like Hanka have noticed that and have chosen us to help her push toward another rainbow jersey. We’ll do everything we can to ensure the environment is right for her, the riders are strong in support and everyone can develop over the course of the road season.”
With Wyman’s wife, Helen Wyman, also likely to guest ride for the team in 2011, the German cyclocross champion will likely be riding on the road alongside the British one.