The future of British women’s squad Drops is in doubt after their new title sponsor pulled out at the last moment. The team, which raced as Trek-Drops through the 2018 season, is now hoping crowdfunding will keep them afloat next year.
In a press release on Tuesday morning, the team announced their new sponsor had withdrawn last week.
“The title sponsor in a cycling team invests the largest proportion of budget and the company pulling out leaves us with a large deficit in our budget for 2019,” said the press release.
“This leaves the future of 12 riders and a number of staff, uncertain.”
The future of the team had been in doubt since July, when title sponsor Trek announced their intention to withdraw and establish their own women’s team, Trek-Segafredo.
However, ever since the noises coming from team manager, Bob Varney have been positive and it was thought the team would continue.
“The aim of our crowdfunding campaign is to raise the awareness of our fight, a fight to save a team that will be the only British professionally registered women's team in 2019 with the hope that something positive unfolds,” the press release continued.
Should the search for funds prove unsuccessful and the team fold, not only will it be a blow to Drops’ riders and staff, but also for British women’s cycling.
The outfit were set to be the country’s only UCI women’s team in 2019 after Wiggle-High5 folded, WNT-Rotor’s likely re-registration to Germany, and Storey Racing’s plans return to domestic racing for 2019.
Drops were established in 2016 and immediately made an impact, not only with their striking kit but also their positive approach to racing.
Each year since has seen them step up. American Tayler Wiles was added to the 2018 roster, giving the team their highest Women’s WorldTour result, finishing second overall at the Amgen Tour of California, as well as second in a stage of July’s Giro Rosa.
It had already been announced that Wiles and Brit, Abi van Twisk would be moving to Trek-Segafredo for next year.
Launched on Tuesday morning, the team’s crowdfunding page invites contributions from £50 through to £250,000, and is set to end in just 15 days.
-
-
Five things to look out for at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games women's road race
Dutch superstars, a balanced route, and the lone rangers - here's the things to look out for in the Olympics women's road race
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
Anna van der Breggen launches signature clothing collection
Double world champion adds new kit range to her list of projects in her final year as a pro
By Simon Smythe •
-
Trek-Segafredo win the opening team time trial at Giro Donne 2021 for the second year running
Ruth Winder will wear the maglia rosa in stage two after leading the winning squad across the line
By Owen Rogers •
-
Giulio Ciccone pulls out of Giro d'Italia 2021
The Italian was sitting sixth in GC before crashing on a descent during stage 17
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
George Bennett explains tactics from finale of Giro d'Italia stage 12
The New Zealand national champion is hunting for stages after falling out of GC contention
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Five talking points from stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia 2021
Trek-Segafredo on the attack and a dispute between Bennett and Brambilla - don't miss this action
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Jasper Stuyven: There were a lot of fast guys on the Poggio, so I knew I had to go all or nothing
Jasper Stuyven says he knew he had to go “all or nothing” to beat an elite group in the final of Milan San-Remo 2021.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Astana-Premier Tech sports director wants Vincenzo Nibali to finish his career with the team
The general manager of Astana-Premier Tech has said that he wants Vincenzo Nibali to return to his team for the last season of his career.
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Bauke Mollema solos to stunning victory in Trofeo Laigueglia 2021
Bauke Mollema soloed to a stunning victory in Italian one-day race Trofeo Laigueglia.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Lizzie Deignan on her first time riding Paris-Roubaix cobbles: ‘I’m happy with my skills, but physically it’s so demanding’
Lizzie Deignan said she’s comfortable with her abilities on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, but added she was surprised by how physically demanding they are.
By Alex Ballinger •
