Led by Ellsay, Langdon, and Traxler; InstaFund La Prima confirms intent to move to the UCI Women’s Continental Level for the 2020 season.
Capitalizing on their inaugural season success, InstaFund La Prima is aiming to bring Canada back into the UCI Women’s Continental Tour. With a diverse mix of veteran, up-and-coming, and junior riders, the team will continue to emphasize a learning environment that supports riders in their career, and educational pursuits.
Gillian Ellsay joins InstaFund after a strong 2019 season in which she finished 5th at the UCI 1.1 Chrono Gatineau, and represented Canada at the World Championships in both the Time Trial, and Road Race.
Veteran rider Rachel Langdon will bring her explosive racing, and pick-up from her performance at the recent Colorado Classic where she won the VF Corporation “most badass” jersey on stage 3. She also took the win on stage 4 at the Redlands Bicycle Classic. Langdon stated that “I was drawn to the team’s ethos – They are fully committed, motivated, and driven to provide a stable, positive environment for a rider to strive. I am excited for the opportunity to compete, and grow with a program as they take the step to UCI.”
After racing this past season in Europe with the UCI Team Charente-Maritime Women Cycling, Gabby Traxler looks to build on her 3rd 2019 U23 Canadian Road Nationals, and 13th UCI 1.1 Gran Prix Gatineau finishes.
Leading the team are returning sports directors Shawn Clarke, and Laura Brown. Both were integral in the success of the first season, and have extensive experience in Canadian cycling. Laura is an Olympic, and world medalist on track, and Shawn brings over a decade of experience both as a rider, and a director.
“With a great roster, an expanded race schedule, and a UCI team application I am really excited to be a part of this team for a second season” Shawn shared. “We have kept a good portion of our core team from last year which, for me, is important. We are adding some incredible new riders, and keeping the same team atmosphere as last year.”
Core riders returning from last season include Beth-Ann Orton who secured 8th at this year’s UCI 1.2 Chrono Kristin Armstrong, and 10th at the UCI 1.1 Chrono Gatineau.
Dual sport athlete Isabella Bertold is returning after securing 7th at Canada’s Criterium Nationals, 14th at the UCI GP Gatineau, and 1st at British Columbia’s Time Trial Championship. She is also a World Cup Medalist in Olympic Sailing.
Other returning members are Anna Talman (1st 2019 Cascade Classic Stage 4), Kristen Kit (World Cup, and World Champion Medalist Member of Canada’s National Rowing Team), and Esta Bovill.
Shawn added that “Applying to be a UCI team is an important step for the team. Last season, in all of the UCI/PRT races we raced, InstaFund showed that we belong at the front of this level of racing. We have plans for careful, but steady growth over the next seasons, and this is the first big step. We now have a strong foundation on which to build something really great for cycling in Canada.”
Other new signings include four Canadian athletes. Claire Cameron (past winner of the UCI Delta Road Race), Ngaire Barraclough, (multi-discipline junior national champion on the track), Sonia Taylor, (9th 2019 Delta UCI Road Race) and Elizabeth Gin (3rd 2018 Canadian Junior Road Nationals).
InstaFund, a Vancouver-based private mortgage investment firm will be continuing their title sponsorship. Adam Korbin, President of InstaFund, emphasized that “riders were selected not only because of their pursuit of excellence on the bike, but also their ability to be community role models off the bike. We have riders finishing high school, some riders are finishing their undergraduate degrees, and many of the riders have full-time careers. These riders are incredible role models and InstaFund is proud to support them.”
Contact:
instagram.com/instafundlaprima
Elizabeth Garvie, Team Representative
604-687-2020
laprimacycling@gmail.com