Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling is delighted to announce that both Emilia Fahlin and Julie Leth have renewed their contracts with the team for 2018. The former Swedish and Danish Champions respectively have been an indispensable part of the team in 2017, both on and off the bike, and have been central to so much of its success.
“It’s such a pleasure to see Emilia working her way back to her best,” said Team founder, owner and manager, Rochelle Gilmore. “I remember her days riding for HighRoad/HTC where she appeared to be one of the strongest domestiques and lead-out riders in the world.
“Now, with Wiggle High5, Emilia is starting to believe in her abilities as a winner. Emilia is rapidly developing into a team leader while still being very valuable to her team as a helper and mentor. I believe in Emilia’s abilities perhaps a little more than she does and hope to see her reach some nice targets in 2018.”
Fahlin was part of the Wiggle Honda team in 2014 and 2015, before spending the 2016 season with Alé-Cipollini. She resumed her place in the team this year, in 2017, supporting her teammates in races across all terrains.
“I’m really happy to have extended to stay with Wiggle High5 for another year!” Fahlin said
“It’s a great thing knowing the management believes in you and value your job and efforts and want to keep building on it for another year, that they see more potential in you and want to keep working to develop further.
“That is always a good thing, and stability is so important and so also the fact to keep working on equipment I know, like, and am used to,” she added. “I’m super excited to see what we can achieve together next year and the memories we will create!”
An unfortunate illness in the middle of this year saw Emilia forced to sit out both her National Championships and the Giro d’Italia. Despite this, however, the Swede was able to return stronger in the later races of the season and capped it with a career-best ninth place in the World Championship Road Race in Bergen, Norway.
“I feel I’m on the right track, I had a good second half of the season which I’m looking forward to build on for next year,” she confirmed. “Finishing the season off with a good ride at the World Champs gave me a lot of motivation and confidence for upcoming season and I can’t wait to get stuck in to the preparation already!”
Julie Leth joined Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling at the start of 2017 and made an immediate impression on her teammates with her hard work in the races of the Australian summer season. Throughout the year the Dane has worked tirelessly for the team’s success and, like Fahlin, has been central to so much of its success.
“I had a good first season with Wiggle, where I feel like I’ve developed both personally and professionally, and I am really happy and excited to continue this development in such a professional environment,” she said. “I’ve loved being on the road with the team. We always manage to have tons of fun, but still being professional and focussed as soon as we’re on the start line.
“I am looking forward to welcoming the new girls in the team, but also to continue working with the girls staying.”
“We love Julie so much, what a pleasure to have her in the team again,” Gilmore smiled. “Julie has the positive personality every team needs, someone who always remains upbeat, appreciates what she gets, or what goes her way… Without sweating the small stuff.
“Generally, Julie’s attitude and personality reflects on all members of the team on and off the bike,” Gilmore added. “Julie is someone we’d love to put on the road all year with every team however in 2018 we will offer Julie some small targets where she can step out of her domestique role and play her own game! I look forward to seeing Julie take a win in 2018.”
Jo Taylor, Head of Brand at Wiggle said: “Emilia is a brilliant team player and popular member of the squad, so we’re delighted to welcome her back for next season.
“A former National Champion, team members are often indebted to Emilia’s selflessness and hard work out on the road, making her an indispensable member of Wiggle High5.
“We’re delighted to see Julie return to Wiggle High5 for 2018. Julie has made a strong start in her first year in a Wiggle jersey, putting in some huge efforts to support her teammates in tough races.
“I’m sure 2018 will bring Julie and the team further successes in the upcoming season.”
