The Le Col Wahoo team – formerly known as DROPS Le Col supported by Tempur – has launched. The rebranded team has a mission to develop the next generation of female cycling talent.
Ahead of the 2022 UCI season, the new look team has ambitions to continue the work towards the UCI Women’s World Tour.. ‘with the fastest kit and latest performance technology.’
The team will continue to be directed and managed by Tom and Bob Varney, the founders who set up the original DROPS team in 2015. Since then, the team has gone from strength to strength, and celebrated one of its best seasons last year, which included supporting Joss Lowden to break the UCI Women’s Hour Record in September.
Having supported the team for a number of years, technical apparel brand Le Col has announced it will be trebling its investment in the team. Le Col adds that it will continue to… ‘bring aerodynamic expertise and with the help of the riders, develop the fastest women’s kit possible, along with a full kit package for the season.’
Yanto Barker, founder of Le Col, said “For 2022 we are taking our partnership and support of the team to the next level – we have been developing some of the most advanced cycling kit possible and with the help of key riders in the team ensuring that this technology enables our riders to ride faster and further.
“Together with Wahoo we will aim to ensure our backing not only supports the team, but inspires the cycling community and encourages more women to race bikes.”
This is Wahoo’s first headline sponsorship of a professional cycling team. According to the bike trainer and accessories firm, it is… ‘a standout message that it is continuing to invest in women’s cycling to really help grow and develop the sport.’
“Wahoo’s partnership with the team is in direct alignment with our core values,” said Wahoo CEO Mike Saturnia. “These athletes demand the best equipment in order to allow them to reach top form, and come into each race fully prepared.
“The Wahoo KICKR indoor training ecosystem, ELEMNT GPS computers, TICKR heart rate monitors, and Speedplay pedals are the best equipment available, and will greatly enhance all of the athletes performance this season, and for years to come.”
He continued, “In parallel with the original mission of the DROPS professional cycling team, Wahoo’s purpose is to build the better athlete in all of us, and nowhere is that better displayed than with this partnership.
“Women’s racing provides some of the most exciting bike racing for viewers and it deserves a much bigger platform to exhibit the riders talents and skills. We aim to aid the team in qualifying for the Tour de France Femmes in 2022 and share their ambition of becoming a World Tour team in 2023. “Together we can bring women’s cycling to a larger audience and inspire new generations of female cyclists.”
Tom Varney, Co-Founder and General Manager of Le Col Wahoo said “We’re delighted to see both Le Col and Wahoo come together to back the team’s development and move us towards our goal of being the best in the world.
“We believe both Le Col and Wahoo are leaders of their respective fields and their support will be integral to the team and its riders getting to the WorldTour in 2023.”
