Women's Swift Racing Team presented

By Ben Atkins

Formerly known as Global, the Swift Racing Team was presented during the National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show at the UK's National Exhibition Centre this weekend. Now sponsored by the Swift Group – one of the UK's leading motorhome and caravan manufacturers – the team boasts an increased roster of riders as well as a bigger budget for 2008.

Existing team captain is Great Britain's cyclo-cross champion Helen Wyman and she will be joined by a number of new signings, the most high profile name being that of Emma Davies Jones. Davies Jones is a former national pursuit champion and has spent a number of years racing in Europe, most recently with the Topsport-Vlaanderen-Capri Sonne team.

"I think it would be a mistake to underestimate this team," said team manager Stefan Wyman, "We have a really strong squad of riders including National Champions, former Olympians and Commonwealth medalists as well as some extremely exciting young riders.”

As well as a new name and new distinctive pink and white racing strip, the team also have a new bike sponsor. Swift Racing recently signed a three-year deal with Flemish classics legend Johan Museeuw and will be riding the flax/carbon Museeuw MF1 frame in a distinctive pink, blue and white colour scheme for 2008.

The team will now spend ten days getting used to their new machines at the squad's training camp in southern France before returning to their base in Belgium to prepare for the spring classics.