Team Jumbo-Visma establishes women’s cycling team
Visma is proud to announce an exciting update of its Team Jumbo-Visma sponsorship. Team Jumbo-Visma is establishing a world-class women’s cycling team that will also compete under the same name.
Establishing the women’s team allows Visma to further its support for pro cycling across Europe. With its decision to become co-sponsor of Team Jumbo-Visma in 2019, Visma was the first Nordic company to support a men’s pro cycling team on such a large scale. Now the company is thrilled to expand this cycling sponsorship to include both men’s and women’s teams.
Team Jumbo-Visma Women will start under a continental license in 2021, as UCI regulations do not allow a new team to enter the Women’s World Tour directly. The team, the riders and the sponsors have confidence in a great program for 2021, including all the important races.
The women's cycling team of Jumbo-Visma will share the same goal as the men’s team: to be the best in the world. The athletes will be supported by the Team Jumbo-Visma organisation, which ensures they have the resources to compete, connect with young talent, stimulate participation in sports, and inspire other athletes, partners and fans. The organisation has also collected substantial knowledge from working with the men’s team that will benefit the women as well. All knowledge about training, nutrition and equipment will be shared and further developed by both teams to achieve common goals.
Visma CEO Merete Hverven had this to say: “We have been very happy supporting the men’s team, as our sponsorship has allowed us to create value and meet our growth goals across Europe. The women’s team will strengthen these efforts. It also gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our support for gender equality, not just in cycling but throughout society by giving the genders equal footing and inspiring young women to achieve their best.”
The team will be led by Esra Tromp and has 12 riders, with a mix of experienced world-class athletes, as well as up-and-coming talents with high potential. Team leader will be Marianne Vos (NED), a 10x world cycling champion and gold medallist in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Fellow riders will include Jip van den Bos (NED), Riejanne Markus (NED), Anouska Koster (NED), Nancy van der Burg (NED), Romy Kasper (GER), Aafke Soet (NED), Teuntje Beekhuis (NED), Julie van de Velde (BEL), Pernille Mathiesen (DEN), Karlijn Swinkels (NED) and Anna Henderson (GBR).
Many factors were considered when building the team, including physical capabilities, personalities, ambition and drive. Riders were also approached based on their relative strength in different types of races and their potential for future development.
“It is fantastic to be able to make a major contribution to national and international women’s cycling through your own women’s team. With the arrival of this highly promising women’s team, we complete Team Jumbo-Visma, embracing talent recognition, development and top sport at the highest level. In addition, it is fantastic that we can also offer young girls perspective for the long term within our Academy model,” says Richard Plugge, Managing Director of Team Jumbo-Visma.
Hverven adds, “It has been great fun supporting the men’s hard-earned victories over the past two years. We look forward to having the same opportunity with the women’s team and we wish them the best of luck in 2021 and beyond.”
For more information, please contact:
Merete Hverven, CEO of Visma, +47 48 02 14 15
