Cheerwine apply for Women's UCI Pro Status

Cheerwine Professional Women's Cycling Team will apply for UCI Professional status for 2007, becoming just the third US Women's team to do so. "By filing for UCI status, the riders will be able to work towards their goals for 2008 in both the United States and abroad," explained team owner Anne Bolyea.

The outfit is expected to announce over coming weeks the professional riders and sponsors which will front its campaign in road events in Australian, Canada, Europe and the US. "I understand the importance of rider's UCI points to USA-Cycling, I also think we need to support the races put on in the US," added Bolyea.

Cheerwine has also appointed a Team Director in Thad Fischer to head the team as it expands in 2007. "Thad is exactly what we are looking for in a team director," said Bolyea. "He has the passion for women's cycling needed to take our program to the next level."

Fischer is excited about the challenge ahead having left men's outfit Team Nerac/Outdoorlights.com to join the team. "The team is at a great point to transition from being a top five NRC team to a competitive UCI team," explained Fischer. "The more US women's teams we can take to the international level the better off women's cycling in the US will become."