Podium Cafe Exclusive! Horizon sign another track World Champion!

by Sarah Connolly on Nov 9, 2010 6:34 PM EST in Women's Cycling

You possibly already have spotted that I am a huge fan of Horizon Fitness, the UK-based women's cycling team... well, I'm pleased to announce that adding to their tally of track World Champions, they've just signed another...

Two-Time world team pursuit champion Jo Rowsell has signed with Horizon Fitness Racing Team for 2011. Jo, 22 next month, is one of the most complete road and track riders from the UK and already possesses a glittering palmares.

"This is an exciting addition to our team. In fact, it’s about as exciting as it gets. Jo sums up exactly what our team is all about. Young, talented and determined to be the best in the world, while being one of the nicest people you could wish to meet" said team manager Stefan Wyman about the signing.

"I previously worked with Jo in 2007. She had a great year, winning 4 national titles that year on the road and track. She was great in the UCI road races we took part in as well, but we are focused on helping Jo achieve her goal of being the Olympic Team Pursuit Champion in 2012. We’ll put everything we can behind her."

"Her ride in the Tour of Ardèche in 2007 is still a performance that I talk about to other riders every year. She was amazing there, and I’m looking really looking forward to working with Jo again during 2011."

2011 is going to be a very busy year for Jo. "My main goals for 2011 begin on the track with the Manchester World Cup in February and then the World Track Championships in March. On the road I would like to target the National Road Race, Crit Champs and National 10, as well as gain more experience in road racing and maybe some stage racing." commented Jo on her plans for 2011.

Jo continued, "I am really looking forward to riding with Horizon Fitness in 2011 and I’m looking forward to competing as part of a team and gaining further experience in a wider variety of races."

Jo is also a Bike Pure Role Model which is another very important part of the Horizon Fitness Racing Team philosophy.

More info below the jump!

Jo Rowsell is a rider that would add lustre to any team. She rode for David Brailsford's pre Team Sky women's team, Halfords Bikehut in 2008, when she won the u23 British Road Race Championships. She's not had many opportunities to shine on the roads, as she hasn't had teams - but when she's had the chance, she's had some great success in crits Ah, Horizon, they make me happy!

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Comments

This is fab news :)

De cross gaat door!

by Albertina on Nov 9, 2010 6:36 PM EST reply actions

It is, isn't it!

by Sarah Connolly on Nov 9, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

yes it really is

I’m a bit of a fan of Jo’s… there was a brilliant point last year where she was riding crits in Belgium & winning race after race. I hope she’ll do really well.

"What happened in British Cycling, a lot of people doubted me. I've come back, got this victory, and done it my way." - Adam Blythe after his first pro win at Circuit Franco Belge

by civetta on Nov 9, 2010 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

Cool!

Although I’m in the crowd that can’t wait for 2013 so interesting young riders can stop wasting time on the track.

For me, Flanders. I think it is the single most beautiful day of racing in the year.
by Tyler Farrar on Nov 2, 2010 12:07 PM PDT

by Chris Fontecchio on Nov 9, 2010 6:46 PM EST reply actions

I love track, but me too!

From a UK PoV, I wouldn’t be surprised if Sky started a women’s team for the 2012 season, only to drop them the minute the Olympics was over – after all, that’s what Brailsford did with Halfords in 2008… I adore track, but I’m not sure how many riders can live by track alone.

(Mind you, looking at the stellar set of riders who went all Bikehut in ’08, not sure who would even believe a moment of longevity for a Sky-2012-thing… once bitten, twice shy, etc…. this is why I love that teams like Garvelo and Horizon continue to invest in British riders…)

by Sarah Connolly on Nov 9, 2010 6:57 PM EST up reply actions

Quite.

I get the impression that they’ve inconveniently produced far more good women endurance riders than they know what to do with. For me, it’s an absolute scandal that there’s no women’s road academy this year. But given the UCI’s bloody stupid track programme, how many (endurance) track riders do they actually need? Three? Four?

"What happened in British Cycling, a lot of people doubted me. I've come back, got this victory, and done it my way." - Adam Blythe after his first pro win at Circuit Franco Belge

by civetta on Nov 9, 2010 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

Well, exactly

But preparing riders to ride in the pro road teams. or on the 6-day circuit would give riders the chance to earn a living, even if it’s just a very very basic living. I feel the same annoyance about the fact GB couldn’t field a team to ride the Euro madison champs at the Euro Track Champs…

I was interested that Jo Rowsell wasn’t riding at the Euro track champs… although a while back I heard rumours that riders have been asked by British Cycling to give up any road cycling if they want to ride on the track for 2012…

by Sarah Connolly on Nov 9, 2010 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

Jo's recovering

from Glandular fever which kind of put an end to Q3/Q4 of the year. I think there’s a blog post about it on her website… Come on Pigeons, you’re usually the first to spot this stuff ;)

by S2_art on Nov 9, 2010 7:21 PM EST up reply actions