British rider Sophie Wright will trip for Alé BTC Ljubljana in 2021 following the closure of Equipe Paule Ka, her new group has introduced.
Wright was the 2016 junior mountain bike cross-country European champion, however joined what was Cervélo-Bigla on the highway in August 2018, and rode with the identical group as Bigla Professional Biking in 2019 earlier than it grew to become Equipe Paule Ka in 2020. Nonetheless, when the funds from the brand new sponsor stopped being paid from August, the group was forced to announce its closure in October, leaving a dozen riders excessive and dry and not using a squad for the 2021 season.
A variety of riders have since discovered new properties for subsequent yr: Britain’s Lizzy Banks will move to Ceratizit-WNT, whereas New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black has signed a two-year contract with SD Worx (Boels Dolmans in 2020), and also will be joined by the Czech Republic’s Nikola Nosková.
Emma Norsgaard had already introduced her transfer to Movistar for subsequent yr again in August, however the Dane will now be joined on the Spanish group by American teammate Leah Thomas. Wright, in the meantime, will likely be joined at Alé BTC Ljubljana by her 2020 teammate Marlen Reusser of Switzerland, and the 21-year-old all-rounder is already wanting ahead to subsequent yr along with her new group.
“I selected Alé BTC Ljubljana Cipollini as a result of I’ve skilled racing with the group within the professional peloton they usually all the time painting a constructive {and professional} picture,” Wright mentioned in a group press launch on the weekend. “The group appears to be very properly united and I am wanting ahead to assembly everybody.
“I used to be seeking to take the following step up in my biking profession for the 2021 season and past, so signing for my first ever WorldTour group will enable me to take action and have new alternatives, so I am very excited for what’s to come back.”
Wright mentioned that she hopes to have the ability to fulfil some ambitions along with her new group.
“For subsequent season, I hope to fulfil my allotted position as greatest as attainable, while additionally with the ability to grasp the chance to win the very best younger rider’s jersey in some stage races and stand on the rostrum for the group,” she mentioned.
Her new group supervisor, Fortunato Lacquaniti, added: “Sophie is a younger lady from the MTB world, however within the final two seasons she has proven nice promise on the highway, too.
“She is aware of the best way to work, and he or she has nice potential and expertise, particularly uphill. Her alternative is a part of our funding programme in younger athletes for the long run,” she mentioned.
