How Drops found themselves in fight for survival
Britain could be left with no women’s teams in the top flight, writes Owen Rogers
British women’s professional cycling was dealt another blow last week after Drops revealed they were turning to crowdfunding after a new sponsor had pulled out.
Team management had been in negotiations with the unnamed new backer since May, after being informed by Trek, this year’s co-title sponsor, that it would be withdrawing its backing to form its own team.
However, as the UCI deadline for registration approached, the potential partner began stalling, finally withdrawing at the end of October, despite a previously signed letter of intent.
“When it became apparent that we didn’t have a deal it was heartbreaking,” Drops’s co-owner Bob Varney told CW. “We’ve got a 12-rider roster and more points at the beginning of the season than we had in any of the previous three years.
“We were planning the December training camp, we had an invitation to Australia [Tour Down Under] and we were planning our logistics and roster.
“We had various other conversations ongoing, but we trusted them. We regret the level of trust we invested into that relationship.”
Riding this year as Trek-drops, the squad were one of four British UCI women’s teams. However, should their search for funds fail, the country will be left with no international squads.
In July Wiggle-high5 announced they were folding, Wnt-rotor have not signed any Brits for 2019 and are likely to register in Germany, while Storey Racing will ride only on the domestic scene next season.
Varney told CW that British Cycling has been very helpful and the team do have some funds available from existing sponsors, including recycling initiative Every Can Counts and their new bike partner. However, this is not sufficient to sustain the team.
Crowdfunding does not have a great record in pro cycling, but Varney is hoping the campaign has a secondary benefit. “It’s also to raise awareness in the hope we may be able to replicate what Slipstream Sports did with Education First, and highlight that this is a wonderful opportunity for the right business to support an authentic brand story globally,” he said.
And if not? “We have to make a tough decision as to whether we want to proceed as a UCI team with riders that are unsalaried. This is not something we would do lightly; we would obviously weigh up the views of our riders and would then have to make that decision.
“We are hoping we can save this.”
“This is a great opportunity to support a brand story globally”