Horizon Fitness announced today that five-time World Champion Hanka Kupfernagel will partner with the British team this season. Kupfernagel will join the team for several pro races as she builds toward the World Championship time trial race in October. Kupfernagel is hoping to represent Germany in the discipline at the 2012 Olympic Games. The addition of Kupfernagel offers a big step up for the young Horizon squad.
Press release quote! Horizon sports director Stef Wyman said:
This also shows the ambition of the team. We’re not here to float along at the level we’ve already achieved. We’re looking to push forward and it’s great that riders like Hanka have noticed that and have chosen us to help her push toward another rainbow jersey. We’ll do everything we can to ensure the environment is right for her, the riders are strong in support and everyone can develop over the course of the road season.
Horizon Fitness hopes to receive invitations to two top level German races, the Thüringen Rundfahrt, a six day stage race, and the Sparkassen Giro, and is currently laying the foundation to become a professional team in 2012. "This season, our team is all about fast tracking our rider’s development so that we are in the best position possible to become a professional team in 2012," explained Wyman. Professional since 1999, Kupfernagel brings deep experience to the young team. She will begin her road season in May. Over the winter months, she raced a full cyclocross calendar and finished fourth at the World Championships. Read more at On The Drops.