Storey Racing Launches

On Saturday 18th March, Dame Sarah and Barney Storey launch Storey Racing and announce their return to the elite women’s peloton with a fresh look, some exciting new partnerships and the backing of many loyal brands who have previously worked with the couple.

This new Elite Racing Team will be a sister team to the Boot Out Breast Cancer Cycling Club, providing better opportunities for female racers and giving the club community close links with Storey Racing and hold combined social events where possible. Storey Racing will cater more specifically to the needs of the elite racers of the club by offering comprehensively supported race programmes and the opportunity to develop to ensure riders are prepared for taking the next step in to the professional peloton. With the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the horizon, the team will also provide a platform for riders to qualify to compete, with almost half of the new line up having a realistic opportunity.

Both Dame Sarah and Barney haven’t ruled out the possibility of taking Storey Racing in to the UCI peloton, but are keen to ensure they do this with the significant backing required to give the riders and support staff the best opportunity of competing with the best in the world.

Backing this exciting new venture from the start will be some familiar names already associated with the Dame Sarah. HMT Hospitals are already having an impact on the riders having set up a Medicals weekend at their Sancta Maria hospital in Swansea at the beginning of January.

Dame Sarah’s longest standing equipment sponsor, Schwalbe Tyres, continue for an 8th consecutive season whilst Boardman, KASK, adidas eyewear, Infocrank, Secret Training and K3 Holders extend their support having been previously associated with Dame Sarah.

New partnerships have been forged with Le Col for the race clothing and the Manchester Fashion Institute for the leisurewear, whilst additional training and race fuel will come from Veloforte bars with their 100% natural energy bars.

Stepping in to this newly created elite racing team will be women who started the year with the Boot Out Breast Cancer Cycling Club, including 6 riders who raced under the guidance of the Storeys in 2016.

Joining Dame Sarah for 2017 will be Neah Evans, Bethany Crumpton, Monica Dew, EJay Harris, Katie Prankerd and Hannah Dines who were all part of the Storey’s previous set up which folded in October 2016. These 6 riders will be joined by 5 new faces as Dannielle Khan, Jennifer George, Laura Cameron, Chanel Mason and 1st year Junior Mercy Webb are also added to the talented roster.

Speaking of the launch and the exciting project they have been able to create Dame Sarah said, “I am delighted to be able to bring an elite women’s racing team back in to the UK peloton, with a line up of talented, motivated women and the backing of some of big name sponsors. We will maintain the strong development opportunities of the Boot Out Breast Cancer Cycling Club with a focus on junior women making that daunting jump in to the Senior UK peloton.

I hope this new platform will give us a strong basis on which to build over the coming years as there remains a unique opportunity to create a world dominating entirely British focused professional team should the right backing be found. As we see better and better coverage for women’s racing, and therefore a greater return on investment for sponsors, we hope to play a part in creating that opportunity.”

Adding to the comments of his wife, Barney Storey said, “We launch this new project at a very exciting time for women’s racing in the UK. We will also be looking for the right UCI opportunities in Europe and supporting riders with dual disciplines to access track or cyclocross in the winter months.

Hannah Dines is also an exciting addition to our roster, having competed in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games but then subsequently dropped from the British Cycling programme. We are keen to ensure she has the opportunity to regain her selection and at just 23 years old there are plenty of areas to explore with her development and we are excited to have the opportunity to support that.”