October 08, 2015 – Team Liv-Plantur is pleased to announce that riders Leah Kirchmann (CAN), Riejanne Markus (NED), Rozanne Slik (NED) and Carlee Taylor (AUS) have signed contracts to join the team in 2016. All four are one-year contracts.
We have followed them for quite a while, made extensive analyses and have had multiple conversations to get a clear profile of the persons and the personalities behind the riders. They have also shown their capacities in the races, of course, but an important factor in making such decisions is that a potential new rider meets all the – for our team – relevant criteria: physical talent, background, work ethic and personality.
“Leah is a talented all-round rider who is good in the classics and capable of doing a good GC but also has a strong sprint, which she showed by finishing third at La Course by Le Tour last year.
“Riejanne is a young all-rounder who has already shown strong test values with a large margin for growth, and we will support her development toward the future. She will be of value in different types of terrain, including hilly courses.
“Rozanne started as a mountain biker, where she competed at international races until four years ago, when she made the decision to fully focus on road racing. She can be described as an all-rounder with strong climbing skills, which she showed by winning a difficult stage at the Auensteiner Radsporttage this season. In difficult races she often finishes just below the top level, and she isn’t afraid to attack.
“Carlee is a climber, and she and Sabrina Stultiens will become our important riders for the difficult classics and climbing stages. She also has shown her ability to perform well in races like the Ronde van Vlaanderen, for example, and she will be valuable to the team at those races.”
CEO Iwan Spekenbrink (NED) added: “We want to become an important player in professional women’s cycling. We work according to the Keep Challenging approach, with the same standards and top sports vision as the men’s program, and we can build on the same solid, professional structure. Our aim is to develop talented riders, give them opportunities and help them reach their maximum potential, and these four signings are an important step in that effort.”
Kirchmann commented on her contract signing: “I’m very excited to join Team Liv-Plantur for the 2016 season. This will be my sixth year racing as a pro and my first season racing full time in Europe. I share the same ‘Keep Challenging’ values as the team, and I’m looking for ways to be a better person and a better athlete every day. I’m confident that working with the experienced staff, riders and partners of the Team Giant-Alpecin program will help me to continue challenging myself in different ways to reach my full potential as a rider, with the Rio Olympics quickly approaching.”
Markus said: “I am very happy with my transfer to Team Liv-Plantur, where I hope to make further progress in my development. After three years of education at Parkhotel, this will be a huge step forward in my career. I am looking forward to working with the team and staff.”
“I am looking forward to racing for Team Liv-Plantur in 2016,” said Slik. “I see this as a step forward and a new challenge after four years racing for Parkhotel. The professionalism and the vision of the team are very attractive. I really want to learn at the team and move forward in my career.”
“I want to continue my progression with Team Liv-Plantur and I want to be a rider who is consistently at the pointy end of races when it matters,” said Taylor. “I believe that Team Liv-Plantur, with its structure, support, belief and professionalism, is the best team for me to achieve this, as well as my goals in going to the Olympics. I am really looking forward to coming to the team.”
The contracts of Lucy Garner (GBR), Willeke Knol (NED), Claudia Lichtenberg (GER) and Amy Pieters (NED) have not been renewed. The team thanks them for their efforts and wishes them the best of luck with their futures.
Team Liv-Plantur 2016: Leah Kirchmann, Floortje Mackaij, Riejanne Markus, Sara Mustonen-Lichan, Rozanne Slik, Julia Soek, Kyara Stijns, Sabrina Stultiens, Carlee Taylor and Molly Weaver.