Dutch team confirms Briton Emma Trott as fourth new signing but retains the core of 2010 squad
Nederland Bloeit has signed on for another year as principle sponsor of the team of Dutch superstar Marianne Vos. The company, literally translated as “Netherlands Blooms” is a platform for entrepreneurs in agriculture and agribusiness and made the step up from secondary sponsor this year after the failure of DSB Bank during the banking crisis of 2009.
After a year of unprecedented success for the team, where victories were taken by a number of different riders, the company apparently saw it as a logical step to continue its support.
“The team is much stronger in depth in recent years because we have taken the time to allow a bit more talent to flourish,” said Vos. “So, in 2010 we had more than 60 victories, the most successful year ever; it will be hard work to match that next year.”
As for Vos’ own personal ambitions, they are the same as ever. “I’ll do everything to continue to improve in all areas, and ride even better,” she said. “I myself always want to know that I’ve done everything I could; hopefully I’ll have good results in cyclocross, on the road and on the track.”
After already securing the signatures of Cervélo TestTeam trio Emilie Aubry, Sarah Düster and Patricia Schwager, the team has also signed 20-year-old British rider Emma Trott.
Trott has achieved a number of results this year, including the British under-23 time trial championship, sixth in the Holland Hills Classic and fifth overall in the Tour de Feminin-O cenu Ceskeho Svycarska stage race in the Czech Republic. Probably her biggest win of the year though, also came in the Czech Republic, where she beat Vos herself in the time trial stage of the Gracia-Orlová race.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Trott, “there have been times when I’ve wondered if it was ever going to happen for me but to be able to ride alongside Marianne and all the other girls is an incredible feeling. Just goes to show, keep going whatever happens!”
Aside from the four new riders, Nederland Bloeit will retain the core of the 2010 team, including Vos herself, Annemiek van Vleuten, Loes Gunnewijk, Noortje Tabak, Janneke Kanis en Marieke van Wanroij.
Notable riders to leave the team are Suzanne De Goede, who will join the new Skil-Koga team, and Loes Markerink, who is retiring from the sport at the age of just 24.