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Emma Silversides joins Dutch team

Story posted December 18, 2009; from Jim Golden

After an injury ravaged season, former school teacher Emma Silversides, has joined the Dutch team Redsun which is headed by Swede Emma Johansson, second ranked woman in the World Cup this year behind Marianne Vos.

Emma recently met nine of her new team mates for a get to know you 80 km ride around Schijndel in Holland, home to one of the team’s major sponsors Van Doorn Infra BV, a specialised construction company. The ride was held on unbroken cycle paths and under clear blue skies, hopefully a good omen for the upcoming season.

Right: Emma in action in 2009. Photo: Krist Vanmelle

After the ride, the new team mates returned for hot soup and the chance of a trying on session for their 2010 clothing. The move for 31 year old Emma comes  after two years with Lotto Belisol, this year with Lizzie Armistead. With her new team’s headquarters less than an hour away across the border, Emma will remain living in Belgium where she has training partners, her coach and access to the facility for training behind a motorbike.

Redsun is managed by  Heidi Van De Vijver and Emma said: "It was really nice to ride with the new team and the fact I was familiar with most of them was an added bonus. So I was able to relax and enjoy the experience. Team Director Heidi, as an ex pro herself, has an infectious enthusiasm for the development of this relatively new team and has a huge dedication to her riders, their individual well being and progression as athletes."
 
"I have great respect for the girls who raced with Redsun last year and am looking forward to racing with these girls. The team has a great calendar for 2010. I am naturally sad to be leaving behind a team of girls that have been so friendly and supportive during a time that has not always been easy; settling into new accommodation, learning the language and generally finding my feet in a foreign country."

"The staff have given of their time willingly and freely and the sponsors have gone well beyond the role of a sponsor to help; that is priceless. However, I am very excited at the prospect of riding for a new team. I regard it as taking a step forward in my cycling career. The team has a lot of Belgian riders in it’s line-up and with Heidi  living in Belgium, the new team feels like a perfect fit for both of us."

Redsun enjoyed it’s first season as a UCI team in 2009 and racked up no less than 20 wins and 34 podium placings. Johansson finished second in the World Cup rankings, a mere 28 points behind Marianne Vos. The team has added three other riders in addition to Emma; Hannah Verhaeghe (BEL), Marie Lindberg (SWE) and Birgit Lavrijssen (NED).

Emma will continue to be backed by several personal sponsors and is fully appreciative of the importance of their contributions to her. This year she has been trialling a new Multipower range for cyclist and they have recently broadened their range towards endurance sports. (www.multipoweruk.com). Another partner has been Skins, which have been particularly valuable to Emma, who has to pay special attention to her circulation and the recovery of her left leg, following a severe accident several years ago. (www.skins.net).

"Wearing Skins socks and leggings assists this enormously and with the long hours travelling between races, it is really important to do everything possible to help the legs recover and stay fresh."

Other sponsors: www.athleticmind.co.uk | www.puralife.co.uk | www.west-consultancy.com