After the announcement that Rabobank will take over the Nederland Bloeit team last week, today came the news that the HTC-Highroad's women's team will continue as Team Specialized lululemon with a new management structure.

When the news came a few months ago that the HTC-Highroad team was to disappear, Bob Stapleton, the manager of Highroad, indicated he would try to do his best to let the women's team continue. That has been confirmed today, no longer managed by Highroad but still with Highroad as one of it's sponsors ...

The main sponsors however are Specialized Bicycle Company and lululemon athletica.

Specialized Bicycle Company

Specialized will provide the team with the brand new Specialized Amira 2012 (after having already used the 2011 make for the HTC-Highroad team), but also the S-Works Shiv, the S-Works Prevail, TT2 helmets, Specialized Body Geometry Oura saddles and S-Works shoes.

Mike Sinyard, president and founder of Specialized, declared: This is such an awesome opportunity for us. We're really excited to put our name behind these incredible athletes with an inspiring company like lululemon that makes the best women's athletic apparel in the world. Our pro riders give us invaluable feedback to continue innovating the best bikes in the world.

lululemon athletica

lululemon athletica describes itself as a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company that creates components for people to live long, healthy and fun lives. By producing products that help keep people active and stress free, lululemon believes that the world will be a better place. lululemon is not new in cycling since it already sponsors the BMC Racing Team!

This company is managed by Christine Day who added to what Mike Sinyard said: We can't wait to elevate women's cycling with Specialized. Their technical expertise, longstanding pedigree and dedication to women in cycling inspire our entire organization. Feedback from the athletes is what drives us and these amazing athletes further enhance our focus on technical products.

Highroad's role and the management structure

Despite the fact that the team will no longer be managed by High Road Sports, Highroad remains one of the co-sponsors.

The management structure of the team, which responds to the name Velocio Sports, is based in Zug in Switzerland and will be managed by Kristy Scrymgeour.

Scrymgeour joined High Road Sports in 2007 as the team manager of the ladies team and has since become responsible for marketing and communications of both the men's and the women's team. As a former cyclist she brings a whole lot of experience in women's cycling with her.

Concerning Bob Stapleton, High Road Sports' manager, she declared: he has been an avid supporter of women's cycling for many years and we would like to carry on his hard work by continuing the team with much of the same structure in place. He has been very supportive of the project and will provide us with valuable equipment to get us going.

The cyclists in the 2012 team

The team announced today that the most important riders of the team will also be part of it in 2012, including German sprint star Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, the American time trial champion Evelyn Stevens and the one who held that title before her in 2008, Amber Neben. It also announced that Clara Hughes, Olympic medallist of both cycling (1996) and speed skating (2002, 2006 and 2010), will also be part of the team. Judith Arndt is missing in the line-up ...

In the team, we'll also find back the Dutch Ellen van Dijk, the Swedish Emilia Fahlin, the Australian Chloe Hosking, the American Ally Stacher, the German Charlotte Becker and the British Katie Colclough. The two German cyclists Trixi Worrack and Lisa Brennauer will join the team as well next year.

Concerning staff, the team will continue with Ronny Lauke as its team manager and sport director, while Oliver Grabowski will remain head mechanic and Beth Duryea soigneur.

Of course, the team's goal is to be top of mind through its athletes during the Olympic Games in London next year.

door Thomas Vergouwen
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this publication is published in: Women's cycling | Marketing

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