<figure ><img title="Womens Announcement" src="http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/files/2015/11/Womens-Announcement--320x213.jpg"/><p>The Optum women's team will sport familiar colors, but has nearly all fresh faces. Photo: Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies</p></figure><p>The Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies women’s squad will look quite different in 2016 as the American pro team will feature all new riders, except one: Jasmin Glaesser. Otherwise, the orange-and-black team brings on nine new riders, including notables such as Emma White, a two-time silver medalist in the junior races at Richmond worlds, and cyclocross talent Elle Anderson.</p>
<p>“It has always been a dream of mine to race for this team,” said White. “I couldn’t be more excited to be on the same team and race with some of the strongest women in the sport. I look forward to gaining new experiences and growing as an athlete, teammate, and overall person in the coming year.”</p>
<p>In addition to White and Anderson, Canadians Kirsti Lay, Katherine Maine, and Sara Poidevin will join the Optum outfit. The team also adds all-rounders Jessica Prinner and Heather Fischer, time trial specialist Hannah Ross, and sprinter Erica Allar.</p>
<p>“Our team has always been dedicated to the development of athletes in North America,” said performance director Jonas Carney. “The 2016 season will continue this tradition. The team is excited to place a renewed focus on developing some of the best young female cyclists in North America. Providing opportunities to up-and-coming riders is an important part of growing the sport of women’s cycling.”</p>
<p>He added that the team’s primary goals will be USPRO TTT, criterium, time trial, and road race championships, as well as the WorldTour races in California and Philadelphia.</p>
<h2>Optum Pro Cycling women’s 2016 roster</h2>
<p>Erica Allar, Tucson, Arizona<br />Elle Anderson, San Francisco, California<br />Heather Fischer, Boulder, Colorado<br />Jasmin Glaesser, Coquitlam, British Columbia<br />Kirsti Vivian Lay, Montreal, Quebec<br />Katherine Maine, Ottawa, Ontario<br />Sara Poidevin, Canmore, Alberta<br />Jessica Prinner, Saint Charles, Missouri<br />Hannah Ross, Wichita Falls, Texas<br />Emma White, Delanson, New York</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/11/news/optum-overhauls-womens-roster-for-2016_389551">Optumoverhauls women’s roster for 2016</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velonews.competitor.com">VeloNews.com</a>.</p>
View the full article
<p>“It has always been a dream of mine to race for this team,” said White. “I couldn’t be more excited to be on the same team and race with some of the strongest women in the sport. I look forward to gaining new experiences and growing as an athlete, teammate, and overall person in the coming year.”</p>
<p>In addition to White and Anderson, Canadians Kirsti Lay, Katherine Maine, and Sara Poidevin will join the Optum outfit. The team also adds all-rounders Jessica Prinner and Heather Fischer, time trial specialist Hannah Ross, and sprinter Erica Allar.</p>
<p>“Our team has always been dedicated to the development of athletes in North America,” said performance director Jonas Carney. “The 2016 season will continue this tradition. The team is excited to place a renewed focus on developing some of the best young female cyclists in North America. Providing opportunities to up-and-coming riders is an important part of growing the sport of women’s cycling.”</p>
<p>He added that the team’s primary goals will be USPRO TTT, criterium, time trial, and road race championships, as well as the WorldTour races in California and Philadelphia.</p>
<h2>Optum Pro Cycling women’s 2016 roster</h2>
<p>Erica Allar, Tucson, Arizona<br />Elle Anderson, San Francisco, California<br />Heather Fischer, Boulder, Colorado<br />Jasmin Glaesser, Coquitlam, British Columbia<br />Kirsti Vivian Lay, Montreal, Quebec<br />Katherine Maine, Ottawa, Ontario<br />Sara Poidevin, Canmore, Alberta<br />Jessica Prinner, Saint Charles, Missouri<br />Hannah Ross, Wichita Falls, Texas<br />Emma White, Delanson, New York</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/11/news/optum-overhauls-womens-roster-for-2016_389551">Optumoverhauls women’s roster for 2016</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://velonews.competitor.com">VeloNews.com</a>.</p>
View the full article
