REBECCA ROMERO JOINS ORBEA FOR TIME TRIAL TRANSITION
Last week it was revealed that Rebecca Romero is turning her attention from the individual pursuit on the track to time trialling on the road. Yesterday, Romero's name was added to the brand new Orbea's women's team for 2010.
An all-new addition to the domestic scene, Orbea will add a women's team to run alongside its men's team with Romero headlining the former.
"Rebecca is a remarkable athlete and has long since proven how adaptable she is, and Orbea will be doing all we can to support her in her quest for gold medals in the Worlds and Olympics during the coming years," commented Renny Stirling, head of Orbea UK.
The first target of Romero's in her transition from track rider to time triallist will be the 2010 World Championships in Melbourne and the Olympic champion will ride a series of domestic races in Orbea colours this year to familiarise herself with the discipline as much as possible.
Joining Romero in the women's team will be multiple national and world master's champion Janet Birkmyre, Cassie Gledhill, Caroline Wojcik-Gammell and Emilie Fisher.
Romero takes centre stage in the new women's Orbea outfit
BAUER SHOWS HIS POWER IN WELLINGTON
Endura rider Jack Bauer won the fifth and final stage of the Tour of Wellington on Sunday.
In the country's capital, slippery and treacherous road conditions from torrential rain caused the organisers to cancel the stage and instead hold an optional 30 minute + 3 lap demonstration criterium.
With a performance that augurs well for Endura's Tour Series hopes, New Zealand champion Bauer tore from the bunch early on and rode a solo masterclass in the tricky conditions, lapping all but one rider to take a comfortable victory.
The 24-year-old, tipped to make a big impression on the British scene this year, makes his debut in Endura colours at the Tour du Haut Var on February 20.
ENTRIES FLOODING IN FOR SEVERN BRIDGE ROAD RACE
Following the cancellation of the Perf's Pedal, the Severn Bridge Road Race will be one of the main season openers on March 7, with the Eddie Soens on March 6.
The 38th edition of the Severn Bridge Road Race, which has been oversubscribed for the past three years, is already nearing its 80 capacity for this year's event.
Last year's winner Marcin Bialoblocki will return with his new Wilier team to defend his crown. Past winners include Jeremy Hunt, Matt Rowe and Julian Winn.
Entries close on February 17. Contact Richard Jarrold on 07979541552
BRITS LINE-UP FOR FRENCH STAGE RACE
Sky will be represented at the Etoile de Bessèges stage race in France by Pete Kennaugh and Steve Cummings.
Kennaugh will make his debut for the team in what is the opening stage race of the European season.
Cummings showed himself to be on form with a well-earned fourth place at the GP Marseillaise at the weekend.
The Etoile runs from Wednesday (February 3) until February 7.
PENULTIMATE ROUND OF ROLLAPALUZA WINTER LEAGUE
The penultimate round of Rollapaluza's popular winter league will take place on Wednesday at Herne Hill, guest starring Dave le Grys.The Half Moon pub, already a popular haunt with South London cyclists hosts the Rollapaluza rigs and DJs.
The evening will also consist of the London regional qualifiers for the National Series, meaning the fastest riders on the night will be selected to race against top Rollapaluza racers from around the UK at the National Finale.
To wet your appetite before Wednesday, here is a video of Dave le Grys' 126mph roller-racing record-breaking attempt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q77GMkXzOVE
Online advance entry here: http://www.riderhq.com/events/rollapaluzanationalserieslondonroundincorporatingroundthreeofthelondonwinterleague
NORTHERN ROCK CYCLONE SELLING FAST
The Northern Rock Cyclone may be over four months away, but already 1130 entries have been received for the three sportive rides, an 80% increase on the same period last year.
Ride C (104 miles) is almost two thirds full and entries are coming at around 30 per day, meaning the event is likely to sell out well before the official closing date.
Peter Harrison, organiser of the event, has said that he would like the event to become the largest sportive event in the UK and for it to be on a similar scale to the Etape du Tour in France.
Entries this year have come from as far afield as the USA and New Zealand.
See www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk for more details and to enter.
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