Solid Core of Returning Riders Bolstered by New Talent
Silicon Valley Bank has released its roster for 2019, which includes ten returning riders and three new additions to the team. The new riders will bolster the team’s core of strong riders who achieved a record 37 victories and 73 podiums in 2018, including the team’s first ever podiums in the Women’s World Tour (WWT). The team will continue to focus on the WWT while maintaining a strong North American presence.
“We are happy with the season we had this year,” said Linda Jackson, Founder of Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank. “We’ve developed a forceful combination of strong riders and cohesive teamwork, both on and off the bike. Our title sponsors, TIBCO Software and Silicon Valley Bank, along with a strong group of industry supporters led by Fuji (bikes) and Edco (wheels) have helped build the framework for our team’s continued success.”
New riders being added to the 2019 roster include Nina Kessler (NED), Rozanne Slik (NED) and Sharlotte Lucas (NZ). American Lauren Stephens will also be rejoining the team’s roster, as previously announced, for her sixth season with Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank.
Kessler joins the team from Team Hitec Products–Birk Sport. This year, Kessler won Erondegemse Pijl (Erpe Mere) and finished in the top 10 at twelve races. Kessler won the points classification at La Course by the Tour de France in 2016 and was also 2016 Dutch National Champion on the track in the Madison and Omnium. Fellow Dutch rider Roxanne Slik joins Team TIBCO Silicon Bank from FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope and, like Kessler, adds substantial European racing experience to the team. Slik’s results include a victory on stage 5 of the Internationale LOTTO Thüringen Ladies Tour this year, and a top 20 at the iconic Flanders Classic.
New Zealand rider Sharlotte Lucas joins the team after a very successful 2018 season, including a victory at the Oceania Championships, along with a 4th place finish at the Commonwealth Games and 2nd place in the New Zealand Nationals Road Race.
Finally, Lauren Stephens rejoins the team after spending a year racing with Cylance Pro Cycling. Stephens was a recipient of a grant from Silicon Valley Cycling Foundation in 2013 and raced for Team TIBCO Silicon Valley Bank from 2013 through 2017. Known as a time trial specialist and strong climber, Lauren amassed numerous international podiums while she was on the team. These podiums included victories at the Chrono Gatineau, Winston Salem Cycling Classic and the individual time trials at The Argentina Classic and Internationale LOTTO Thüringen Ladies Tour. Stephens also scored two silver medals in the 2017 USA National Championships.
Returning riders include American Kendall Ryan, who won the first stage of the Amgen Tour of California and claimed numerous victories at BC Superweek and across North America.
“I’m really excited to continue my journey with Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank for 2019,” said Ryan. “It will be my 8th year with the team, and I’m so grateful to Linda Jackson and our team’s sponsors for their ongoing support. 2018 was a great season for me, and I’m looking forward to pursuing even more success in 2019 with the team.”
Canadian Alison Jackson also returns to the team, with her strong performances at the UCI World Tour level that resulted in several GC top 10 finishes, including sixth at the Grand Prix de Plouay. “2019 is going to be a good year for the team,” added Alison Jackson. “There is a large core of the team returning, and that consistency gives us power. Each year, my personal results get better and better, and I am confident that with the support of Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank, we will achieve even higher results than in 2018.”
Current Australian Road National Champion Shannon Malseed, who scored a 2nd place finish at the Tour of Chongming Island WWT event, will be back in 2019 with the team and will be starting her season with an aim to defend her National Championship title in Australia.
Fellow Australian Brodie Chapman will also be returning to Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank after a successful debut in her first year as a professional rider. Chapman showcased her climbing prowess at the Herald Sun Tour early in the season and continued to build on her experience and performances throughout the year.
Mexican TT National Champion Ingrid Drexel, who scored a top 10 finish at the Grand Prix de Plouay WWT race in 2017, will be returning to the team for her third year, together with the Guatemalan TT National Champion Nicolle Bruderer.
Canada’s Lex Albrecht, who won the second stage of the Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour and the Tour of the Gila in 2017, will be returning to the team for her 3rd year. Alice Cobb, who represented Great Britain at the 2018 UCI World Championships, and American rider Emily Newsom, who captured the QOM and points jersey at Erondegemse Pijl (Erpe Mere), complete the roster of returning riders.
“While I am happy with the results that we achieved this year, I believe that we can do more,” said Linda Jackson. “Alison made the finishing group of most of the WWT races this year and was able to parlay her smart riding into numerous top 10 finishes. Our new riders are going to be a huge help in turning this year’s top 10 results into multiple podium results for several of our riders next season. I am excited to see this progress unfold for the whole team; we have a lot of talent on the team that has yet to fully emerge”.
Full 2019 Roster for Team TIBCO – Silicon Valley Bank:
- Lex Albrecht (CAN)
- Nicole Bruderer (GTM)
- Brodie Chapman (AUS)
- Alice Cobb (GBR)
- Ingrid Drexel (MEX)
- Alison Jackson (CAN)
- Nina Kessler (NED)
- Sharlotte Lucas (NZ)
- Shannon Malseed (AUS)
- Emily Newsom (USA)
- Kendall Ryan (USA)
- Rozanne Slik (NED)
- Lauren Stevens (USA)
Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank is the longest running professional women’s cycling team in North America. Founded in 2004 by Linda Jackson, the team’s mission is to help aspiring female cyclists achieve their dreams of becoming top International competitors.
