The Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies women’s UCI team will refocus on developing riders next season as the American team brings in an almost entirely new cast of riders for 2016.
Jasmin Glaesser, who briefly led the Redlands Bicycle Classic this year and took the QOM jersey at the Philly Cycling Classic, will be the lone rider returning from the 2015 squad. Glaesser was part of the Optum roster that won the US team time trial championship in April and is an accomplished track racer, having won medals in team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics and the Pan American Games. She also won gold this year at the Pan Am Games Road Race race in Toronto.
Optum signed former National Criterium Calendar champion Erica Allar and all-rounder Jessica Prinner from Colavita-Bianchi to headline the 2016 criterium team, while Glaesser and Canadian pursuit squad teammate Kirsti Lay, who won the mountains classification this year at the Tour of California, will feature in road races as they prepare to qualify for Canada’s 2016 Olympic team.
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In a move toward developing young talent, Optum will also bring on board one of the top prospects from the junior ranks in Emma White, who recently finished second to US teammate Chloe Dygert in both the junior World Championship time trial and road race.
“It has always been a dream of mine to race for this team,” White said. “I couldn't be more excited to be on the same team and race with some of the strongest women in the sport. I look forward to gaining new experiences and growing as an athlete, teammate and overall person in the coming year."
Top US cyclo-cross racer Elle Anderson will come aboard following the 2015-16 cyclo-cross season, joining new recruits Heather Fischer and time trial specialist Hannah Ross. The team also signed promising young Canadians Sara Poidevin and Katherine Maine.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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