Emma Silversides in new Lotto-Belisol colours
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Former public school maths teacher Emma Silversides has become the first British rider to sign for Belgium's top women's pro cycle team Lotto - Belisol.
The 29 year from North Yorkshire who helps support her racing ambitions as an artist, selling prints of her cycling paintings will join her new teammates including Athens Olympic road race champion Australian Sara Carrigan in February.
Silversides expects to open her racing season in Lotto colours in Italy, she has been told she will not be in the team's Het Volk line up and knows she will have to fight for selection for the top races.
She attributes the form which got her noticed by Lotto to her boyfriend fellow pro racer Hamish Haynes, who rode for DFL- Litespeed in 2007 and will be riding for its 2008 incarnation. They are shortly off training in the Marina Alta area of Spain through to the end of February..
Silversides, who spent four years teaching maths at the Dean Close Girl's Boarding School in Cheltenham, Glos said ' I am proud to be the first British rider to get signed up by Lotto - Belisol. They approached me, that is the ultimate respect. They understand that I have gone to Belgium to try to make the grade in their country and try to adapt to their way of life.
'I met their sponsor and obviously made an impression during our talk as he told me he would like me on the team although it was down to Dany Schoonbaert, the director sportif. They had been riding the stage races I did with Global, including when I got fifth place in a stage in Brittany in a break.
That was a real breakthrough for me. The trouble was I was not always getting picked for the stage races and was riding a lot of kermesses, I was getting regular top tens, including two seconds and three thirds.These rides got me noticed as at times I was getting into the action and getting places back to back. So they offered me a contract. Lotto ride all the big events. I know that not being Belgian I will have to fight hard to get into the top races there, I already know I am not riding Het Volk. I will fight for selection.
She goes on to say '
My first race will probably be in Italy in March, I hope to pull out a decent performance. I know my strength is stage races and the hillier events although I have ridden well in the flat Holland races.
I know that I would not have got to the point I am now and have got the chance to join a team like Lotto without Hamish. I tend to be rather negative, whereas he has taught me to set myself a target in each race and always learn something from each race experience. We support each other.'
Emma is also sponsored by Oxyshot, part of the Puralife group. Their sports product helps oxygenate the blood to optimise performance and recovery. She is so impressed with the product that she is an Ambassador for them. Visit them at www.puralife.co.uk.
Elly Nash
