Sweet As.

The Queensland based Bundaberg Sugar Team has stepped it up a gear for 2011. As one of the longest running Women’s NRS Teams in Australia the team is now looking to be the leading Australian Road focused team for the coming season.

To supplement their already strong rider group, 2010 NRS revelations Loren Rowney and Zoe Watters as well as National Masters Champion Trish Palmer joining Simone Grounds as the core group for the year.

This means the team will boast the 2^nd,3^rd and 4^th placegetters from the 2010 NRS as well as Palmer who recently won the “juvenile” Masters National Championships.

Specialized Bicycles have confirmed their commitment to the super squadra with new S Works bikes, shoes and helmets to round out the package.

With the continuing support of Bundaberg Sugar and Triple Play the team has the committed long term sponsor base that some women’s teams lack.

SRAM and Zipp will continue to be important foundation equipment supporters in conjunction with Specialized Bicycles. New supporter Paint My Bike will prove invaluable with keeping the bikes looking 100%

The Australian Road Nationals in Ballarat on the 6-11^th January will give a few of riders the opportunity to race together for the first time as preparation for the coming year.

Team Manager Dave Mohr confirmed that the team focuses on a national program of developing riders which they hope can then lead them to International rides. “We aim to be a strong domestic team that can help riders achieve success internationally in the longer term. I would expect that at least 2, maybe 3 of our riders will spend time in the US this year, and in the future even more will be helped along that path”

Loren Rowney was 3^rd in the 2010 U/23 Nationals and her success continued through the year, the highlight being her win at Glen Inness to Inverell in October against her now team mates.

Simone Grounds the veteran within the team will have a strong leadership role this year with the experience racing the national road series coming 4^rd overall last year in the series.

Zoe Watters  with 2^nd in the Tour of Geelong TT and numerous top placings showed what she is capable of in her debut NRS year.

Trish Palmer showed that her years as a US based pro weren’t lost when she dominated the Masters Nationals recently. As the “road captain” for 2011, her experience will be invaluable.

Maddison Vitt joins the team after representing Australia last year in Junior Worlds and will be a valuable addition with her Worlds experience complimenting the squads all round abilities.

The 2011 NRS will be a very tough challenge says Mohr: “ Australian Womens racing has never been stronger, with well supported and disciplined teams becoming the norm “

Bundaberg Sugar demonstrates the increasing quality of Women’s cycling in Australia and will be a very strong and competitive team in the National Road Series this year.