Epic Cycles-Scott Contessa WRT Manifesto

(as originally published on the team's Facebook page)


TEAM BACKGROUND AND RIDER APPLICATIONS

Over the past two seasons Epic Cycles and Scott Sports have been the two main sponsors for the highly successful Scott Contessa Epic Race Team, which has had a primary focus on rider development, and in particular of junior riders. 

Following on from the success of the last two years we are moving the team up a level for 2014, with significantly increased funding and rider support, and a number of new sponsors.

Going forward, Epic Cycles-Scott Contessa WRT will be built around committed, ambitious and talented senior riders – although the team’s main goal is week-in-week-out success in the rapidly growing UK women’s road racing scene, it will retain a clear focus on rider development.

Junior rider development has improved significantly in recent years, but we feel there is a need for more teams that can act as a stepping stone for senior riders with ambitions of entering the professional ranks or competing effectively in UCI-level races.

Epic Cycles-Scott Contessa WRT will be managed in a structured fashion, and we hope to contribute to raising the standard of women’s race team management in the UK. We also hope that the success of the team will help to further enhance the reputation of both women’s racing in general and of our team/riders in particular.

KEY AIMS

• to become recognised as the leading domestic UK women’s road team.
• to provide a professionally managed team environment, in which riders can develop and progress.
• to raise the profile of our riders, team, and sponsors.

To support these aims, race targets will include:

• National Women’s Road Race Series.
• Johnson Health Tech GP Series (Tour Series).
• Senior national championships.
• Women’s Tour of Britain.
• High-profile city centre races, such as Smithfield Nocturne, RideLondon etc.
• National Team Series (secondary objective – European racing will take priority over Team Series in the event of calendar clashes).

Our European race programme and objectives will be planned following the publishing of national calendars, as date clashes with key UK races need to be avoided.

TEAM SUPPORT

In conjunction with co-sponsors we will provide the following to the team:

• A professionally managed team, with clear lines of communication.
• An extensive programme of races for the team and each individual rider, with clear objectives and roles.
• Entry to all senior elite events in the UK calendar.
• Entry to a number of European races, including UCI stage and one-day races, e.g. Lotto Cup.
• Equipment, including Scott bikes (each rider will be supplied with a race bike, training/spare bike, and TT bike if needed), race wheels, spares, sports nutrition, clothing, helmets, tools etc.
• Full race support for all elite races – including race entry, race planning, team car and team van, mechanical support, spare wheels/bikes, and accommodation (where appropriate).
• Team training camps and race/team coaching.
• Bike setup, fitting and maintenance.
• Opportunities to engage in PR activities through team, industry, sponsor and women’s cycling event appearances, media interviews/articles etc.

THE TEAM

Our aim is to assemble a line-up where riders have complementary strengths and skills, so that the team is able to approach races with different leaders and tactics according to the nature and timing of each race (the team will not be built around a single star rider). Many riders will of course have more than one strength area, but all need to be team players and mutually supportive of each other. We need riders who are able to work as a team within races with clearly defined roles, and enjoy each other’s company – we want this to be a fun experience!

Our planned team size of eight riders will provide sufficient cover for all key races, while maximising the opportunity for individual riders to participate in a full programme of UK and European races.

RIDER APPLICATIONS

Applications are invited from senior road riders who are currently Category 2 or above – some of the team will be ready to step into leadership roles in elite races immediately, while others may be less experienced but will have shown potential to develop into key roles within the team during the season. All must be prepared to act as a domestique when required. Our intention is to build the team around a balance of U23 and O23 riders.

Team recruitment will be based on individual ability and potential, but it is also important that riders have a positive and committed attitude. They must also be keen to further develop their skills and knowledge of racing in a team environment.

All riders will take part in a substantial programme of races – as a rough guide, they will be expected to be available for a minimum of half of the elite UK race calendar, although most will be able to take part in considerably more. Every rider will have competing work/family commitments and responsibilities, so race programmes will be planned jointly between the team manager and riders to take account of individual constraints, targets, and priorities etc.

Our intention is to complete the signing of riders during the next month, but team members will not be publicly announced until end of their 2013 race programme. The formal team launch/media presentation is to happen early in 2014, but will be preceded by targeted press releases and at least one team building weekend where the first batches of kit/bikes will be issued.

To apply for the team please email a brief CV that includes an overview of your previous race experience and aims for the coming season(s) to Phil Weaver at race.team@epic-cycles.co.uk

No comments:

Post a Comment