In addition to the merger between the men’s UCI continental Team Coop and the women’s UCI Team Coop – Hitec Products, the team is happy to announce another new step. Riders of the women’s team will from now on get equal payment to the riders of the men’s team. On Wednesday Team Coop – Hitec Products will start in the Belgium UCI 1.1 race Dwars door Vlaanderen. In that race, the team races for first time in their new team kit.
“Our previous budget was sufficient to keep the team afloat, making our racing program possible”, Karl Lima, team manager of Team Coop – Hitec Products, says. “We could however only offer minimal support for the riders. The arrival of Coop as a sponsor allows us to support the riders and provide them with equal opportunities as the men’s team.”
New name and look
This week the UCI made the name change official and with that, Team Coop – Hitec Products will also race in their new clothes as of Wednesday. Lima: “As said before, we are very happy to have Coop as a solid partner now. We are also very pleased that we have been able to get the change of name and team kit done this fast. We have switched from a complete blue jersey to white and blue, which Team Coop also has. Our riders can’t wait to show their new outfit in the peloton in Dwars door Vlaanderen.”
Photo: From left to right; Ingvild Gaskjenn, Caroline Andersson, Mieke Kröger, Ann Helen Olsen and Amalie Lutro.