News: Drops team completes signings for 2022

British women’s cycling team, Drops, has completed its signings for 2022 with Brits Anna Christian, Lizzie Holden, April Tacey, Alice Towers, Flora Perkins and Eluned King part of the line up along with riders from abroad, Martins, Merino, Moberg, Van’t Geloof, Van der Dui, Vandenbulcke and Verhulst

News: Drops team completes signings for 2022

British women’s cycling team, Drops which races on Ribble bikes, has completed its signings for 2022 with Brits Anna Christian, Lizzie Holden, April Tacey, Alice Towers, Flora Perkins and Eluned King part of the line up along with riders from abroad, Tata Martins, Eider Merino, Emilie Moberg, Marjolein Van’t Geloof, Maike Van der Duin, Jesse Vandenbulcke and Gladys Verhulst.

What a 2021 was for Joss Lowden with the Hour record and two medals at the British Road Championships – Joss now goes pro with the Uno-X Pro Cycling Team

The team will also see a few of the British riders depart the team, such as Emily Meakin, Dani Christmas (retiring) and Hour Record holder Joss Lowden. Having spent a number of years racing the UK domestic scene Joss made her debut for the team at the Tour of California in 2019, which was a year that culminated with her bronze medal in the mixed relay TTT at the Yorkshire World Championships.

After the lost year that was 2020, Joss has shown her class this season with 5th place at Brabantse Pijl and dominantly winning the Tour de Feminin amongst solid World Tour race performances. Joss becomes another member of our team to ‘graduate’ into the highest level of the sport. Team Manager, Tom Varney said “Everyone in the team would like to send their thanks to Joss. It’s been a pleasure working with her, particularly this season. We’re proud of the progress we have made together. Her dedication to her sport and desire to succeed is unmatched and of course, we wish her all the best for what’s to come.” Joss will ride for the Uno-X Pro Cycling Team.

The Brits

Alice Towers: Back in August, Alice re-signed for two seasons. At just 18 years old, Towers made her senior debut with the team this season and was one of the youngest riders at the years biggest races including Liege-Bastone-Liege and La Course. Team Manager, Tom Varney “It’s been a great experience working with Alice so far this season and we’re pleased that she has put her trust in us to continue her development. She’s shown her great potential both in the World Tour and lower-level races. Off the bike, she’s a pleasure to work with and her personality fits well within the team, her mindset will stand her in good stead moving forward. We believe that Alice has a bright future ahead.

Alice commented. “I am excited that I have the teams confidence and have re-signed for two more years. Riding the biggest races on the calendar whilst still being in a nurturing environment I think is what makes this team special. I’ve really enjoyed my first year as a senior on the team and I’m delighted to be here for the next couple of seasons. I don’t think that there is a better team suited to me to continue my development.”

Eluned King: will join the team until the end of the 2023 season. The 19-year-old rider from Swansea will continue with the GB Track Programme alongside her road racing with the team for the next two years. King won the Junior Road Race Championships in 2019 which put her on the team’s radar. Since racing has resumed after lockdown, Eluned has won Otley GP (below) and a round of the Tour Series whilst showing herself positively in Belgium at GP Eco Struct (6th) and The Cicle Classic (3rd).

Team Manager, Tom Varney said ”El has impressed me every time that I’ve spoken to her. She has a mature head on her shoulders and I’m looking forward to helping her develop on the road. She’s clearly determined and her recent results show her potential, we’re excited to see her take further opportunities in Europe with our programme.” Eluned King commented ”over the past few seasons, I’ve enjoyed watching Drops’ aggressive style of racing. I think the team is the perfect fit for me to continue my development and I’m motivated and excited for the next two years!”

Anna Christian from the Isle of Man, extended her contract for a further year back in September. Anna joined the team in 2017 and extends her stay with the team with 2022 being her sixth season in Drops colours. Team Manager, Tom Varney commented “Working with Anna is a joy, she’s a fun person to be around and has a positive influence on the group. She’s developed this year and we’re excited to continue working together. Her most recent showing in Giro Toscana was impressive and I’m sure there is more to come.”

Anna Christian added, “As always I’m really happy to be continuing my journey with Drops! The team has always held its energetic atmosphere and true Drops team spirit, which I love! This year particularly I feel that I’ve grown on and just as importantly off the bike, and believe this team around me has played a huge part in that. I’m excited to keep working with a team filled with so much enthusiasm and motivation that keep pushing for the best- to be the best we can”

April Tacey is another of the British riders to extend her contract for a further year. Team Manager, Tom Varney commented “I’ve been impressed by April’s determination this year. Coming back from a fractured patella isn’t easy and there has to be an element of patience as April has been building back up. Throughout this season April has been committed to the team plan and shown herself well in many different types of races. I think April will take another step in 2022.”

April Tacey added, “I’m really happy to be extending my contract with Drops Le Col next year. I’ve enjoyed my time with the team and I feel like they’ve really helped me develop as a rider. They have provided great support and patience whilst I was recovering from my injury and I’m pleased they believe in me as I know I have a lot more to give. The team have a great vision and I’m super happy to be part of it. I can’t wait to colour the road in the future.”

Lizzie Holden has returned to the team after spending three seasons with them between 2017 and 2019 before joining the Spanish team, Bizkaia Durango. Holden is a strong all-rounder who can excel in multiple terrains. In 2019, she was crowned Best Young Rider at Giro Toscana and 3rd in the National Road Race Championships amongst multiple UCI top tens in Europe.

Team Manager, Tom Varney commented “We’re really happy to have Lizzie return to the team and I’m confident that we can help her get back to the level she had when she was last with the team. More importantly, she’s the exact type of personality that we want in the team and completely understands what we’re trying to achieve. I’m sure that we can achieve positive things next season together.”

Lizzie explained “after a difficult season, I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity to return to Drops in 2022. The confidence that Tom and Nico have in me to return to the level I had in 2019, where I had some of my career-best results, is something that really motivates me. The team balances a fun and family-like atmosphere with strong sporting ambitions which to me is the perfect environment to achieve success. I’m so excited to see what we can achieve together as a team in 2022 and I can’t wait to pull on the Drops jersey again.” Holden said.

Flora Perkins is a new signing for 2022 and 2023. The London based rider joins the team from VC Londres. Team Manager, Tom Varney commented “I’m delighted to have the chance to work with Flora over the coming years. She’s shown real promise over the past 18 months and she’s also stepped up to each level that comes her way. The maturity that she races with is impressive and she’s already shown great tactical racing nous. I’m thankful to have her trust in our project and look forward to helping her develop,”

“I’m really looking forward to racing and developing with Drops-Le Col supported by Tempur over the next couple of years. I’m super grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to meet my new teammates and to get started. I’m most excited about the step up in race programme and working within a supportive environment, the team is the perfect next step for me and my development.” Perkins said.