Wyman launches Horizon Fitness team

by Ben Atkins at 5:27 PM EST

Stefan Wyman, former director sportif of the Vision1 and Swift Racing teams, has announced a new team for 2010 sponsored by home exercise equipment company Horizon Fitness. So far no riders have been announced, but the team will reportedly be largely made up of up-and-coming British riders.

“Women’s cycling is moving forward quickly each year both in terms of the teams and the events,” said Wyman. “However this coming season will see a lot of long established European pro teams ending and new teams looking to start their build up towards London 2012 and beyond.”

The development of up and coming riders will go hand in hand with a new way of integrating the team’s sponsors and supporters, said Wyman: “I want to help develop young British riders, but that isn’t my only focus for the team long term. I have some ideas of how I feel success can be achieved in women’s cycling, and our sponsors share those ideas. This team will have a major focus on integrating sponsors and supporters with the team to allow them to have the maximum return and enjoyment from the team.”

Wyman, who is the husband of British cyclocross champion Helen Wyman, also wants to make sure the growth in UK women’s cycling continues: “We also want to try to help invest in the sport in UK,” he said. “We’re looking at backing some events and getting our sponsors involved, as well as participating in them ourselves.

“Over the last few years, women’s cycling in the UK has moved so far forward. You only have to look at the rider line up in great teams such as Cervélo [who now has British riders Emma Pooley, Lizzie Armitstead and Sharon Laws – ed] to see that. That shows us there is a great pool of talent in the UK and if we can try to work with those riders, we’ll be in a good position to excel in major races in the future.”

More announcements, including names of signed riders, are expected soon.

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