Lifeplus–Wahoo

{{short description|Cycling team}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox cycling team | name = Lifeplus–Wahoo | image = File:Le col wahoo 1408632.jpg | code = DRP | registered = {{flagu|United Kingdom}} | founded = 2015 | disbanded = 2024 | discipline = Road | status = UCI Women's Continental Team (2020–present) | bicycles = {{unbulleted list|Corley Cycles (2015)|Trek (2016–2018)|Cannondale (2019–2020)<ref name="Drops 2019">{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/down-but-not-out-drops-team-remain-ambitious-after-difficult-winter/|title=Down but not out: Drops team remain ambitious after difficult winter|first=Sadhbh|last=O'Shea|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=18 January 2019|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>|Ribble (2021–2024)}} | website = https://lifepluswahoo.com | generalmanager = Tom Varney | teammanager = {{unbulleted list |Małgorzata Jasińska|Morgan Kneisky}} | season = 2015 2016–2017 2018 2019–2020 2021 2022 2023-2024 | oldname = Corley Cycles–Drops RT Drops Cycling Team Trek–Drops Drops Cycling Team Drops–Le Col s/b TEMPUR Le Col–Wahoo Lifeplus–Wahoo | kitimage = |caption=Riders at the 2022 Tour de France Femmes}}

'''Lifeplus–Wahoo''' was a UCI women's cycling team based in the United Kingdom, founded in 2015. The team was jointly sponsored by holistic wellness company Lifeplus and fitness technology company Wahoo. In 2023, the team gained automatic invitations to the UCI Women's World Tour owing to its performance in 2022. The team closed after the 2024 season [https://thebritishcontinental.co.uk/2024/08/05/lifeplus-wahoo-team-to-close-after-nine-years-of-racing/]

== Sponsorship == The team was founded in 2015, using Drops branding for the next 6 years. In 2018 Trek Bikes became title sponsors of the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racing.trekbikes.com/stories/trek-segafredo-women/introducing-trek-drops|title=Introducing Trek-Drops|work=UCI.org|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> In 2019 the team reverted to its previous name as Trek ended their sponsorship after one year in order to start their own team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/trek-segafredo-confirm-womens-team-set-to-race-on-the-womens-worldtour-in-2019/|title=Trek-Segafredo confirm women's team set to race on the Women's WorldTour in 2019|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> When a prospective replacement sponsor also pulled out the team launched a crowdfunding campaign in order to stay afloat <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/drops-team-launch-crowdfunding-campaign-after-sponsor-pulls-out/|title=Drops team launch crowdfunding campaign after sponsor pulls out|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> and raised £25,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/drops-womens-team-saved-after-crowdfunding-campaign//|title=Drops women's team saved after crowdfunding campaign|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> In December 2020 it was announced that the team's clothing supplier Le Col would step up to co-title sponsor for the 2021 season after agreeing to double their investment in the team. They were joined by American mattress and pillow manufacturer TEMPUR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/drops-cycling-team-adds-two-new-sponsors-for-2021/|title=Drops Cycling Team adds two new sponsors for 2021|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> The team confirmed that funding would not go as far as being able to pay a salary to riders, something Drops has always been transparent about its inability to do.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dropslecol.com/news/lecol-2023|title=Le Col steps up backing for Drops women's team|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref>

In August 2021 Le Col signed a two-year extension taking their sponsorship through to 2023. In doing so it was announced that they would be trebling their annual investment in the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dropslecol.com/news/lecol-2023/|title=Le Col increase and extend partnership with the team|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> It was also announced that the teams tyre supplier Mavic would extend and increase their sponsorship of the team into 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dropslecol.com/news/mavic-renews-2022|title=Mavic renew with the team for 2022|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> In the following weeks the team announced a number of new rider signings and contract renewals with a number of 2 year contracts confirmed for the first time in the team's history. In January 2022 it was announced that Wahoo would become the teams co-title for 2022 with the team being renamed Le Col–Wahoo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/drops-transform-into-le-col-wahoo-team-in-2022/|title=Drops transform into Le Col Wahoo team in 2022|access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref>

In November 2022, Le Col did not renew their contract, with funding around €400,000 required to keep the team running.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Shea |first=Sadhbh |date=2023-01-11 |title=Le Col-Wahoo becomes Lifeplus-Wahoo after off-season sponsor drama |url=https://www.velonews.com/news/road/le-col-wahoo-becomes-lifeplus-wahoo-after-off-season-sponsor-drama/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=VeloNews.com |language=en}}</ref> Staff and riders were told to look elsewhere for 2023 contracts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyson |first=Jackie |date=2022-11-17 |title=Sponsorship loss leaves Le Col-Wahoo in uncertain position for 2023 |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sponsorship-loss-leaves-le-col-wahoo-in-uncertain-position-for-2023/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=cyclingnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2023, it was announced that holistic wellness company Lifeplus would join the team as title sponsor, with the team becoming Lifeplus–Wahoo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing Lifeplus Wahoo |url=https://lifepluswahoo.com/news/2023-introducing-lifeplus-wahoo |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Lifeplus Wahoo |language=en-GB}}</ref> Former professional cyclists Małgorzata Jasińska and Morgan Kneisky joined the team as team managers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Weislo |first=Laura |date=2023-01-24 |title=British women's team gets new life as Lifeplus-Wahoo |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/british-womens-team-gets-new-life-as-lifeplus-wahoo/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=cyclingnews.com |language=en}}</ref> Over half of the 2023 roster is aged under 23.<ref name=":0" /> Owing to its performance during the 2022 season, the team gains automatic invitations to UCI Women's World Tour events in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2023 |title=2023 Squad Finalised |url=https://lifepluswahoo.com/news/2023-squad |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Lifeplus Wahoo |language=en-GB |quote=The UCI also confirmed the team as one of two Continental teams that gain automatic invitations to all of the races on the Women’s World Tour calendar.}}</ref>

{{col-begin|width=auto}} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! Equipment !! Sponsor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dropslecol.com/partners|title=Drops-LeCol Partners}}</ref> !! Other sponsors |- | Bikes || Corley Cycles (2015) Trek (2016–2018) Cannondale (2019–2020) Ribble Cycles (2021–)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/ribble-to-supply-drops-le-col-team-bikes-for-the-next-two-years-488439|title=Ribble to supply Drops-Le Col team bikes for the next two years}}</ref>|| rowspan="7" |TEMPUR LUMENE Selle Italia Swiss Stop WinSleek |- |Team kit & clothing || Le Col (2019–) |- |Wheels || Mavic (2021–)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dropslecol.com/news/mavic-partner-drops/|title=Mavic partner drops}}</ref> |- |Tyres || Continental (2015–) |- |Helmets & Glasses || POC (2020–)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bikebiz.com/poc-partners-with-drops-cycling-team//|title=POC partners with drops cycling teams}}</ref> |- |Nutrition || OTE (2016–2019) One Pro Nutrition (2020–2021)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://onepronutrition.com/drops-one-pro-nutrition-2020/|title=Drops One Pro Nutrition 2020}}</ref> |} {{col-break|gap=5em}} {{col-end}}

==Team roster 2023== ''As of 16 August 2023.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lifeplus-Wahoo |url=https://www.uci.org/team-details/18535 |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=UCI}}</ref> {{Cycling squad start}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Natalie Grinczer|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|11|15}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Ella Harris|nat=NZL|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1998|07|18}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Eluned King|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|2002|8|1}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Typhaine Laurance|nat=FRA|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1998|08|28}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Maddie Leech|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|2003|05|4}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Maria Novolodskaya|nat=RUS|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1999|7|28}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Kate Richardson|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|2002|9|12}}}} {{Cycling squad mid}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Awen Roberts|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|2005|2|23}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Kaja Rysz|nat=POL|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1999|04|10}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Karin Soderqvist|nat=SWE|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|2003|07|31}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=April Tacey|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|2000|10|12}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Babette van der Wolf|nat=NED|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|2004|4|29}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Margaux Vigie|nat=FRA|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1995|7|21}}}} {{Cycling squad rider|name=Ella Wyllie|nat=NZL|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|2002|9|1}}}} {{Cycling squad end}}

==Major wins== {{palmares start}} ;2016 :UCI Track Cycling World Cup – Glasgow (Team Pursuit), Eleanor Dickinson :Revolution Series – Manchester (Scratch race), Eleanor Dickinson

;2017 :20px Mountains classification Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, Ann-Sophie Duyck ::Stage 2, Ann-Sophie Duyck :20px Provincial Time Trial Championship West-Vlaanderen, Ann-Sophie Duyck :Stage 4 Gracia–Orlová, Martina Ritter :Ljubljana–Domžale–Ljubljana TT, Ann-Sophie Duyck :Stage 3 (ITT) Tour de Feminin-O cenu Českého Švýcarska, Ann-Sophie Duyck :20px Youth classification 2017 BeNe Ladies Tour, Alice Barnes ::Stage 1, Alice Barnes :Stage 2 Tour of the Reservoir, Laura Massey

;2018 :Youth classification Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Eva Buurman :20px Youth classification Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, Abby-Mae Parkinson :20px Mountains classification Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen Kathrin Hammes

;2019 :20px Youth classification Giro Toscana Int. Femminile - Memorial Michela Fanini, Lizzie Holden

;2021 :20px Overall Tour de Feminin–Krásná Lípa, Joscelin Lowden ::Stage 4 Joscelin Lowden :Omloop der Kempen, Maike van der Duin :UCI Track Cycling World Cup – Saint Petersburg (Elimination race), Maria Martins :UCI Track Cycling World Cup – Saint Petersburg (Omnium), Maria Martins

;2022 :Veenendaal–Veenendaal Classic, Gladys Verhulst {{palmares end}}

==World & national champions== {{palmares start}} ;2016 :20px British U23 Road Race, Alice Barnes :20px British Junior Road Race, Eleanor Dickinson :20px Antigua & Barbuda Time Trial, Tamiko Butler :20px Antigua & Barbuda Road Race, Tamiko Butler

;2017 :20px Belgium Time Trial, Ann-Sophie Duyck :20px British U23 Road Race, Alice Barnes :20px Austria Time Trial, Martina Ritter :20px Austria Road Race, Martina Ritter

;2019 :20px World Track (Scratch race), Elinor Barker

;2020 :20px Portugal Track (Points race), Maria Martins :20px Portugal Track (Scratch race), Maria Martins

;2021 :20px Portugal Road Race, Maria Martins :20px European U23 Track (Scratch race), Maike van der Duin :20px European U23 Track (Omnium), Maria Martins

;2022 :20px British Road Race, Alice Towers

;2023 :20px British U23 Time Trial, Madelaine Leech :20px European U23 Track (Individual Pursuit), Kate Richardson

;2024 :20px British National Track (Individual Pursuit), Kate Richardson {{palmares end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{official website|https://lifepluswahoo.com}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drops-Le Col}} Category:Cycling teams established in 2015 Category:Cycling teams based in the United Kingdom