Women's News Roundup & 2008 Rosters - Part 2
Team Rosters: DSB Bank, Marriane Vos - Best Rider Award, Team Flexpoint, Menikini/Selle Italia/Gysko, Swift Racing Team, Rapha/Lifeforce, Dila Guerciotti, Vienne Futuroscope, Team Saccarelli, Katie Mactier Gold, other news & Photos.

By Bart Hazen

DSB Bank
Josephine Groenveld completes Team DSB Bank
Josephine Groenveld (AA Drink) is the final rider for the 2008 Team DSB Bank. Earlier the team already contracted the new signings Angela Brodtka, Tina Liebig, Yvonne Leezer and Daisy van der AA. The team comes back as strong as last year with Marianne Vos leading the team.

2008 DSB Bank Team Roster:
1. Danielle Bekkering (Ned)
2. Eyelien Bekkering (Ned)
3. Andrea Bosman (Ned)
4. Noortje Tabak (Ned)
5. Sharon van Essen (Ned)
6. Sanne van Paassen (Ned)
7. Linda van Rijen (Ned)
8. Marieke van Wanrooij (Ned)
9. Adrie Visser (Ned)
10. Marianne Vos (Ned)
11. Hannah Welter (Ned)
12. Angela Brodtka (Ger)
12. Tina Liebig (Ger)
13. Yvonne Leezer (Ned)
14. Daisy van der Aa (Ned)
15. Josephine Groenveld (Ned)

New: Angela Brodtka (Team Getränke Hoffmann), Tina Liebig (Team Getränke Hoffmann), Yvonne Leezer (Vrienden van het Platteland), Josephine Groenveld (AA Drink) and Daisy van der Aa (Juniors).

Leaving: Renate Groenewold (?), Ludivine Henrion (AA Drink), Vera Koedooder (Vrienden van het Platteland/Therme Skin Care), Christine Mos (retires).

Marianne Vos gets improved contract & best rider of the year
Marianne Vos was rewarded with an improved contract, which should be no surprise after an excellent year in 2007. The World Champion of Salzburg has signed a new contract with Team DSB Bank until the end of 2011. Vos is already preparing herself for the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008. Marianne has also been awarded for the second time in a row, best female rider of The Netherlands.

Vos Celebrates victory after Stage 1 of the Ladies Expert Tour. Photo © Bart Hazen

Speaking about the Olympics in Beijing, Vos competed this week at the Track World Cup. She took away gold for the scratch and the points race. For Vos it was her first appearance on the Track in competition. She won the scratch race in an impressive solo.

Team Flexpoint
Adrienne Snijder & Anita Valen Added to Strong Squad
Team Flexpoint is complete for the forthcoming season after the arrival of Adriënne Snijder and Anita Valen. Snijder won seven times as junior in the past season. She won among others the Omloop van Stadshagen and three stages and two jerseys in the Asser Jeugdtour.

Valen (39) joined the team to focus on the Olympics in Beijing. She said that she is glad to sign a contract with an international top team. She is already living in The Netherlands (Zwolle) as she is married to former pro Gerrit de Vries (among others Novell and Polti). In 2004 Anita won the bronze medal at the World Championships in Verona. At the moment she is Norwegian Time Trial Champion. In the past Valen rode already for Bik-Powerplate, Team S.A.T.S., Vlaanderen, @Work and Vrienden van het Platteland.

American Amber Neben returns to the team for her 3rd year here preparing for 10th Women's Flèche Wallonne in April where she finished 4th. Photo © Bart Hazen

2008 Team Flexpoint Roster
Elisabeth Braam (Ned)
Loes Gunnewijk (Ned)
Britt Jochems (Ned)
Jacobien Kanis (Ned)
Bianca Knöpfle (Ger)
Loes Markerink (Ned)
Mirjam Melchers (Ned)
Amber Neben (USA)
Iris Slappendel (Ned)
Adriëne Snijder (Ned)
Anita Valen (Nor)
Elise van Hage (Ned)
Tessa van Nieuwpoort (Ned, Cyclocross)
Suzanne van Veen (Ned)

New: Elizabeth Braam (Therme), Jacobien Kanis (Juniors), Bianca Knöpfle (Elite-2), Adriënne Snijder (Juniors), Anita Valen (Vrienden van het Platteland) and Elise van Hage (Juniors).

Leaving: Luise Keller (High Road Sports), Mie Lacota (retires), Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini), Madeleine Sandig (High Road Sports) and Trine Schmidt (Menikini).

Menikini - Selle Italia - Gysko
Susanne Ljungskog and Trine Schmidt Strengthen Team

Susanne Ljungskog and Trine Schmidt (Team Flexpoint) will both ride for the Italian Menikini team next season. Ljungskog rode the past three seasons for for Team Flexpoint and won among others the Expert Ladies Tour (2006) and the Tour de L'Aude and the Emakumeen Bira (2007). Trine Schmidt, who made her debut with the professionals in 2006 with Flexpoint, won several races including a stage in the Gracia Orlova and won the time trial at the Danish National Championships.

Susanne Ljungskog in action. Photo © Bart Hazen

AussieNatalie Bates & Kori Seehafer join Rochelle Gilmore and Olivia Gollan of Australia to add to the international flavor of the strong Italian based team.

2008 Menikini/Selle Italia Roster:
Sigrid Corneo (Ita)
Rochelle Gilmore (Aus)
Olivia Gollan (Aus)
Oxana Kozonchuk (Rus)
Fabiana Luperini (Ita)
Miho Oki (Jpn)
Marina Romoli (Ita)
Silvia Valsecchi (Ita)
Natalie Bates (Aus)
Giada Borgato (Ita)
Lorena Foresi (Ita)
Kori Seehafer (Usa)
Susanne Ljungskog (Swe)
Gloria Presti (Ita)
Trine Schmidt (Den)
Olga Slyusareva (Rus)

Kori Seehafer starts stage 4 in the race leaders jersey after her stage 3 win at the 2007 Tour de Toona. Kori finished 3rd on the G.C. behind winner and teammate Kristin Armstrong and Mara Abbott of Webcor Builders. Photo © Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

New in the team are: Natalie Bates (Getränke Hoffmann), Giada Borgato (Juniors), Lorena Foresi (Elite-2), Kori Seehafer (Team Lipton), Susanne Ljungskog (Team Flexpoint), Gloria Presti (Juniors), Trine Schmidt (Team Flexpoint) and Olga Slyusareva (Fenixs)

Leaving the team are: Karin Aune, Eneritz Iturriaga (Safi-Pasta Zara), Carmela Massaro, Milena Pirola (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo), Dorte Lohse Rasmussen (Team Cmax Dila Guerciotti) and Elodie Touffet (Team FRW)

The team is a mix of experienced and young talent. The leaders of the team will be multiple Giro winner and climbing legend Fabiana Luperini and Susanne Ljungskog, multiple World Champion and winner of the Tour de L’Aude.

Swift Racing Team announces team for 2008
The British Swift Racing Team (former Global Racing Team) has announced their team for the 2008 season. The full team of sport-director/manager Stefan Wyman is:

Swift Racing Team Roster
Emma Davies Jones (UK)
Alice Monger-Godfrey (UK)
Gabby Day (UK)
Helen Wyman (UK)
Louise Moriarty (Irl)
Jenny Fay (Irl)
Toni Bradshaw (Nzl)
Marina Duvnjak (Nzl)
Ine Beyen (Bel)
Lien Beyen (Bel)
Debby van den Berg (Ned)
Sigrid Jochems (Ned)
Sarah Reynolds (UK)

New in the team are: Ine Beyen (Lotto Belisol “B”), Lien Beyen (Lotto Belisol “B”), Toni Bradshaw (Elite-2), Emma Davies (Vlaanderen), Marina Duvnjak (Elite-2), Jenny Fay (Elite-2), Alice Monger-Godfrey (Juniors) and Sarah Reynolds (who is still a junior).

Leaving the team are Elizabeth Armistead, Katie Curtis, Nikki Harris (Elite-2), Masami Mashimo, Line Ramsrud, Linda Ringlever (Elite-2), Joanna Rowsell, Emma Silversides (Lotto-Belisol) and Linn Torp (Rapha/Lifeforce).

Rapha/Lifeforce announces part of team for 2008
The Rapha/Lifeforce team has announced a part of the team for 2008.

Rapha/Lifeforce Roster
Clara Beard (USA, Cheerwine)
Leonie Burford (AUS, Elite 2)
Charlotte Colclough (GBR,Elite-2 Fatbirds Cycling Team)
Melissa Doherty (USA, Elite-2 University of Wyoming)
Nina Kessler (NED)
Monique van de Ree (NED, Vrienden van het Platteland)
Michelle Roberts (GBR) (also assistent sport-director)
Linn Torp (NOR, Global Racing Team)

More riders will be announced soon!

Team Dila Guerciotti announces teams for 2008
Team Dila Guerciotti-Cogeas has announced there line-up for 2008.

Dila Guerciotti Squad:
Maya Watt Adamsen (Den)
Lidia Arcangeli (Ita)
Maria Helena Bornak (Den)
Daniela Capitanio (Ita)
Vera Carrara (Ita)
Silvia Castoldi (Ita)
Sabrina Conca (Ita)
Alice Donadoni (Ita)
Silvia Eusebi (Ita)
Marina Khodtchenkova (Rus)
Oxana Kostenko (Rus)
Alessia Massaccesi (Ita)
Sara Mustonen (Fin)
Dorte Lohse Rasmussen (Den)
Benito Azucena Sanchez (Spa)
Marta Vilajosana (Spa)

New in the team are: Lidia Arcangeli (Bigla), Daniele Capitanio, Vera Carrara (Safi-Pasta Zara), Silvia Castoldi (Elite-2), Sabrina Conca (Juniors), Alice Donadoni (Elite-2), Silvia Eusebi (Juniors), Marina Khodchenkova-Visentini (Elite-2), Alessia Massaccesi (Juniors), Sara Mustonen (Michela Fanini), Dorte Lohse Rasmussen (Menikini) and Azucena Sanchez Benito (Elite-2).

Leaving the team are: Mette Fischer Andreasen, Emanuela Azzini, Evelyn Garcia, Ariela José Gonzalez, Yessica Lorena Lopez, Michelle Ortiz and Aimee Vasse.

Dorte Lohse Rasmussen, Marta Vilajosana and Vera Carrara will be the leading riders of this team.

News on Vienne Futuroscope, Michela Fanini and Team Saccarelli
The French Vienne Futuroscope team has contracted Corine Hierckens (Lotto-Belisol) and the juniors Fiona Dutriaux and Audrey Cordon. On the other hand Emilie Lebrun and Melanie Bravard will leave the team.

The Michela Fanini Record Rox has contracted Julia Blindyk for next season. The following riders have renewed there contracts with the team; Annalisa Cucinotta, Veronica Alessio, Valentina Bastianelli, Federica Balestri, Jennifer Fiori, Rosane Kirch and Daiva Tuslaite.

Team Saccarelli Emu Sea di Marsciano Withdraws
An other Italian team, Saccarelli Emu Sea di Marsciano has decided to withdraw from cycling due to financial problems. The following riders rode for Saccarelli in the past season:

Alessandra D'Ettore, Monia Baccaile, Leda Cox, Arianna Frasinetti, Elisa Frisoni, Samantha Galassi, Miyoko Karami, Silvia Mancini, Alice Marmorini, Alessia Quarta, Chiara Rozzini, Laura Silei and Giovanna Troldi.

ValueAct Capital's Katie Mactier Gold in World Cup
Setting her sights on Olympic Gold in Beijing, ValueAct Capital's Katie Mactier won her second gold medal in the Individual Pursuit at the Beijing World Cup last night. Mactier also won the gold at the first World Cup held in Sydney last week.

In Sydney, Mactier, who races for the Australian National Team on the track, won by over two seconds against Kithuanian Vilija Sereikaite. In Beijing, Mactier was the fastest by almost 2 seconds in the qualifying round. She posted a time of 3:35.181 to set up a gold medal match-up with Olympic silver medalist rower Rebecca Romero from Great Britain. In the final, Mactier was almost 3 seconds faster than Romero.

Mactier will be racing on the road with ValueAct Capital again in 2008. She will be joining the team for their training camp in mid-February.

Women's Cycling News Roundup - 1 November 2007
Women’s European Race Roundup - May 3rd through 6th

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