Over the past few seasons, the French women's professional team ESGL-93 GSD Gestion has quietly been...
The ESGL-93 GSD Gestion team bonds at a training camp (Image credit: ESGL Cyclisme)
Over the past few seasons, the French women's professional team ESGL-93 GSD Gestion has quietly been working its way up through the European and world rankings. The team is looking forward to its best season yet coming up.
In 2008, the team was ranked number one in France, thanks in part to the help of English rider Leda Cox winning the final round of the French Cup in Loudun. In the World Cup final in Plouay, the team came tantalizingly close to a podium place with Beatrice Thomas' last lap breakaway as she chased down the leaders on the run in.
The team recently held a training camp in Chambery in the French Alps. Activities included cross country skiing, rock climbing and a chance to get to know new teammates like French juniors Laurena Cussy and Jennifer Letue.
The team grew out of Paris-based cycling club "ESGL-93" and has been supported by general manager Jaques Gautier, who owns the French Business Analysis firm of GSD Gestation.
In 2009, the team will ride Specialized Tarmac Pro machines. Early season plans include classics as Het Volk in Belgium and the GP Lago Maggiore in Switzerland.
ESGL-93 GSD Gestion for 2009: Leda Cox (Great Britain), Audrey Lemieux (Canada), Estelle Patou (France), Elodie Belz (France), Sandrine Bideau (France), Nathalie Cadol (France), Sophie Creux (France), Fabienne Gautier (France), Christine Majerus (Luxembourg), Céline Nivet (France), Joelle Numainville (Canada), Béatrice Thomas (France), Laurena Cussy (France) and Jennifer Letué (France)
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Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.
