First two British teams announced for 2015 Women’s Tour

Matrix Fitness and Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International Boot Out Breast Cancer have been confirmed for the Friends Life Women’s Tour, which takes place between June 17-21.

The two British teams are the first to be confirmed for the second edition of the five-day race, which was won by Marianne Vos of the Rabo-Liv team.

>>> Women’s Tour set for Northamptonshire return in 2015

Matrix Fitness has stepped up to become an internationally registered UCI team for the new season, signing British stars Laura Trott and Elinor Barker from Wiggle-Honda for 2015.

Matrix Fitness team manager Stefan Wyman said: “The Friends Life Women’s Tour gave us the platform to step up to professional level in 2015, and for that reason alone this race is extremely special to the team.

“We are very proud to be returning for the second edition of the race and look forward to battling it out with the world’s best teams, in this, the world’s best race.

“Hopefully this year’s race continues to capture the imagination of the public and we can race in front of crowd lined streets again.”

Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International Boot Out Breast Cancer, meanwhile, sees five-time world track champion Joanna Rowsell join its ranks, with teammate Dame Sarah Storey’s attempting the women’s Hour Record in February.

Details of the venues and stages of the Women’s Tour will be released in the coming weeks.