Team Fat Birds UK

From left to right: Clare, Marie, Susy, Gabby, Laura, Anna, Tracey, Louise, Lizzie. © Elaine Bird

Team Fat Birds UK includes Claire Gross (National Criterium Champion) Susy Massey (TLI National Women's Road Race Champion) Laura Bissell (WCRA Women's pursuit champion) and Gabby Day (3rd in the UK Cyclo Cross Series and 2nd in the National Espoir Road Race Championships) Gabby also represented GB for Cyclo-cross. Lizzie Goodband who prior to taking up cycling was a member of the British Cross Country Ski Team and Tracey Fletcher a former County squash and badminton player join the team along with Louise Day, Anna Watson and Rebeca Jones, the only member of the squad unable to attend the launch as she is currently racing in the USA. Local girl Marie French completes the team and she will be concentrating on triathlon in 2005, having achieved podium positions in all her 2004 events.

“The new team for 2005 is made up of ten young women representing some of the most exciting talent in the country, and with a full racing schedule for the coming road season, you should start to see our distinctive colours at the front of the peleton in all major UK women's races this season” said Stef Wyman, team manager. “A team of six is needed for all the races so with a squad of ten, we can plan with confidence, even when some team members are called up for the GB team” he added.

Look out for these colours in 2005 King's Lynn Mayor, Paul Brandon, who is also Chair of the King's Lynn and West Norfolk Sports Council attended the launch and was impressed by the standard of professionalism shown by the riders. Fat Birds Don't Fly bike shop owners, Richard and Elaine Bird are delighted to be sponsoring the team, stating that; “ We aim to raise the standard of women's cycling in the UK and provide our riders with the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Over the past seven years we have helped a number of young women in cycling including local girl Helen Wyman (nee Saunders) who has graduated to international level and she'll be riding in Europe this season with Team Toyota. Now, of course we have a full team and every member has her own hopes and aspirations within one of the cycling disciplines” The sponsorship package from Fat Birds Don't Fly of Hunstanton includes a pro-quality bike, full kit and clothing together with the all back-up facilities required for a complete team. To keep informed about the girls progress please visit: www.fatbirds.co.uk and www.teamfbuk.com