Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team

UCI Women’s Continental Team, DAS-Handsling (formerly known as CAMS-Basso) begins a new chapter this season with new title sponsors and bikes

Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team

DAS-Handsling, formerly known as CAMS-Basso, begins a new chapter this season. With new title sponsors, DAS Business Furniture and Handsling Bikes, and a fresh new look, the future for the UCI Women’s Continental Team is bright.

Team Manager, Simon Howes, is excited about the new partnerships. “As a British team, It’s an ideal fit for us to have two important British brands as partners. It also enables us to continue for a fourth year as a UCI registered team and deliver a healthy domestic and international programme in road, TT, gravel and track.”

DAS has signed a two year deal, providing all important stability for the team. DAS is a family run business that provides interior furniture solutions to global Trading and Financial brands. The company has been involved in sports sponsorship, including motor sport and football, for many years. Cycling sponsorship is a newer venture for them and is now the sole focus of their sponsorship activities. Callum Riley, DAS Events and Sponsorship Coordinator, tells us “Now is the right time for us to expand our involvement in cycling and there was really only one women’s team we were going to work with. It was a no-brainer for us. We’re looking to build a quality, long-term partnership with the team, like we do with our clients. Sponsorship of the team is one of the ways we are trying to give stability and sustainability to the British cycling scene.”

Andrew Paine, co-Team Owner of DAS-Handsling, commented, “We are delighted that DAS is on board for two years. It’s invaluable for us to have that stability and opportunity to focus on racing and developing our riders. I’ve known the team at DAS for many years now and we have already partnered on a few initiatives, so it’s brilliant we can now take that partnership to the next level. Callum has been involved in every aspect of cycling for a long time and so he really understands where we are coming from.”

The riders will be mounted on Handsling’s line up of UCI-approved carbon frames, all of which are exclusive to the brand. The sponsorship meets Handsling’s objectives of supporting talented young riders and expanding women’s cycling. Pro team sponsorship represents a key element of Handsling’s global growth strategy as it expands its direct-to-consumer business model into new markets and supports the growth of women’s cycling.

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Simon Whiten, Director of Handsling, said: “Handsling is extremely proud to become the official bike supplier to DAS-Handsling. From the start, we were hugely impressed with the strength of the roster and its vision for taking women’s cycling in the UK to the next level. The team set up and its support programme for emerging female cyclists ties in with Handsling’s brand ethos and was one of the main factors behind the partnership.”

The DAS-Handsling squad is a blend of nationalities and specialities across the cycling disciplines. The team includes Team GB’s Sophie Lewis, who rode her Handsling TR3evo to a brilliant win in the UCI Track Champions League last year. Other riders include French road and track rider, Bénédicte Ollier, British fan favourites, Danni Shrosbree, Katie Scott and Sammie Stuart and exciting new talent, Emma Jeffers.

A number of the new riders are stepping up to the senior ranks this year. Howes comments, “DAS and Handsling’s sponsorships support a pathway for British riders to gain exposure and experience racing at the highest level. In a time when women’s cycling is still in the ascendancy but opportunities remain limited, it’s huge that we can take on a number of first year seniors as they transition to elite level racing.”

The mix of experience and emerging talent in DAS-Handsling makes them an exciting prospect for the 2023 season and Howes has big ambitions for the team. He says, “We’re looking to retain both the individual and team titles in the UK National Road Race Series, as well as a successful crit campaign in the Tour Series and National Series. We’ll be building on the learnings and successes from last season, and will continue to invest in rider development.”

The team begins its international campaign with two races in Spain next month, Clasica de Almeria and Setmana Ciclista Valenciana.

DAS-Handsling Full Rider Roster for 2023
– Sara Bonillo
– Monica Greenwood
– Emma Jeffers
– Lucy Lee
– Sophie Lewis
– Grace Lister
– Emma Matthews
– Beth Morrow
– Bénédicte Ollier
– Katie Scott
– Danni Shrosbree
– Sammie Stuart
– Sophie Thackray