Post by Bernie Monaghan on Apr 22, 2011 22:20:25 GMT 1
Women’s Racing Team
Mission: To become an Ulster Women’s Racing Team capable of competing and wining in Ireland and UK.
In 2011 Women’s Cycling Ulster will be establishing and developing over the course of the year a Women’s Racing Team to compete in team events such as Rás Dhun na nGall, Ras na mBan and the Women’s National Series. These events will tend to be road based and include time trials, road races and crits.
Never has there been a more appropriate time to drive forward the concept of a specific women’s team who would represent the province in highly competitive races. Cycling Ulster proudly has women riders who are passionate, determined, hard working and want to win. Now is the time to help drive and support these women riders to reach their potential when racing and representing the province at stage races.
Cycling Ulster has been inspired by the growth and passion for racing amoungst the women riders in recent years who have committed to races irrespective of home, work and family commitments. Financial support from Cycling Ulster has been limited but this has never stopped the passion of the women. Now is the time to take things further.
The racing team will be made up of individuals who have the following characteristics:
• Dedication to racing
• A team player
• Can demonstrate a focus and commitment to training
• Receptive to direction and advice for making improvements
• Competitive spirit
• Goal orientated
• Focussed and driven
• Not afraid of hard work
• Passionate riders who want and can suffer
• Committed to themselves and their team members
Why would you want to become part of this racing team?
• The significance of representing the province both at local and international stage races.
• Gain significant experience of racing in a team coupled with the camaraderie and satisfaction of achieving both personal and team goals.
• Opportunity to travel to various parts of Ireland and UK to compete.
• The opportunity to gain team racing skills from a highly experienced professional cyclist who has given commitment to help support and advise the racing team.
A squad of elite women riders will train together at different points over the racing season with the objective to develop a team which will naturally select itself based on the performance of each squad member during the course of the year, taking into account performance within the squad and at races both on national and local levels. The specific team training will ensure everyone is knowledgeable in all aspects of race preparation which includes nutrition, hydration, training, bike mechanics, race tactics, etc.
The ongoing development of a professional and experienced Ulster Women’s Racing Team will require a commitment for the long term from each rider. Time will allow the team to develop, learn about each other as riders, gel together and ultimately learn how to ride and compete as a team. It is important to indicate for all future selection of women teams those who have shown commitment to this squad will be the first point of selection.
Women’s Cycling Ulster is looking for women riders to indicate their interest in riding for the province and becoming part of a development squad by replying to Louise Fullerton on email at lodaro4@hotmail.com before 30 April. You need to be currently riding at a competitive level. Further information regarding this new chapter of women’s racing in Ulster will be presented at a meeting at the beginning of May for those who have specifically indicated their interest in becoming part of the new Ulster Women’s Racing Team.