Squadra Donne: Race Ready – 31st January ’11

This Sunday saw us head off to the official Squadra Donne team lunch, I mean launch at the picturesque village of Goring-on-Thames, with the support team and fellow team sponsors Bikefood. We were looking a bit dishevelled after a coming straight from a morning ride at the Woodcote CX sportive just down the road.

Squadra Donne is run by Jon Miles, who race in the National Team Series as well as on the Continent. Jon himself set up the Team Series in order to raise awareness of women’s cycling in the UK. An initiative that we are happy support and are pleased to say we are not alone judging by the number of enthusiastic teams popping up not to mention the new LWCR league.

Squadra Donne has been around a long time though, guided under the watchful eye of Jon who ran his first women’s event in 1972, apparently it was a case of being in the “wrong place at the wrong time”, subsequently he’s devoted all his time and efforts to promoting women’s cycling, via the team and the Team Series. Jon was also the coach to Malta’s national team for a decade, and the Tour ta Malta features on the Squadra Donne calender where this year Iona Sewell will be defending her title as last years winner.

Iona Sewell wins the Tour ta Malta in 2010

Squadra Donne has long been a gateway that some exceptional riders have passed though, including names such as Nicole Cooke who rode for Jon’s team when she was just 16, the team is host to national and regional champions past and present. Steve, the team’s mechanic, also has an exceptional history within cycle racing having worked for some of the most respected names in the business both as a cycle coach and mechanic. Offering riders the opportunity to build their own bikes under his guidance in his workshop, not only do they get a race ready machine but they also gain an understanding of what it takes to maintain the bike, something many riders are sadly oblivious to.

Shutt Velo Rapide is providing the kit, so the team will be racing in Shutt’s Coolmax Pro Bib Shorts and Sportwool Team Jerseys, additional Sportswool outers and accessories will also feature including one of the best looking Buffs around, a design featuring the Shutt colour strip.

When Jon set up the Team Series it was in order to be able to have a series of races that would enable to winner to claim their place as the best women’s team in the UK. With the wealth of support and expertise available – we are certain that Squadra Donne will remain one of the leading teams for some time to come.