VISION 1 RACING TAKING SHAPE

World and Olympic champion Nicole Cooke?s Vision 1 Racing team is taking shape for next season, with the addition of several new signings.

One of the team?s aims is to develop talented young British riders, one of whom is Katie Curtis.

Curtis had a successful 2007 season, finishing fourth at the U23 National Road Race Championships and finishing eighth in the scratch race at the World Track Championships.

Team manager, Stefan Wyman said: ?Katie is young, motivated and very talented. I?m really happy to be working with Katie in 2009 as all of my experiences of her have been positive.?

Also joining the team will be Australian, Vicki Whitelaw. Vicki made an impact on the continent this year, riding for the Australian national team, winning stages in the Tour de l?Aude and the Giro d?Italia.

Joining Vicki will be neo-pro Aurore Verhoeven from France. Verhoeven demonstrated her potential as a junior last year, finishing sixth in the junior World Race Championships.

?I?m really excited about the prospect of seeing Aurore progress with us over the years ahead. She has everything it takes to reach the top of the sport,? said Wyman.

Finishing the group of signings for the British team are Gabby Day and Helen Wyman.

The duo are perhaps best known for their cyclo-cross finesse (Wyman is the current national champion in the discipline) but they are also strong road riders.

?Both of these riders have what it takes to support the team leaders in major races,? said Wyman senior.

?Gabby competed in both the Tour of Flanders and Tour de l?Aude in 2008 and is experienced and talented enough to deal with any race on the UCI calendar. Helen has ridden with Nicole in the World Championships on several occasions and also at the Tour de France in 2008. They?ll always give 100% and are hugely motivated to be riding alongside the World and Olympic Champion in 2009?.

Vision 1 Racing still has opportunities for sponsorship available for the 2009 season. Interested parties should contact stefan@vision1racing.com

RELATED LINKS

Nicole Cooke's team still searching for main sponsor

Nicole Cooke: Rider Profile