Olympic Champion Ed Clancy signs for Vitus Pro Cycling

Multiple Olympic champion Ed Clancy says his move to the Vitus Pro Cycling Team will help his goal of reaching a fourth Olympic Games.

 

Vitus Pro Cycling described the 33-year-old rider as ‘inspiring’ as they announced the three-time Olympic gold medal winner and multiple track champion would join the British UCI Continental cycling team in 2019.

 

The move follows Clancy’s seven years with John Herety’s JLT Condor road team, which announced in September it would not compete in the 2019 season.

 

Along with Olympic success, Clancy (33), from Barnsley West Yorkshire, was a major part of Britain’s dominating track team that cycled to victory in six world championships.

 

And the victories for the Yorkshireman have continued, with Ed winning the prologue at the Herald Sun Tour and two rounds of UK Criterium races, the Tour Series, as well as claiming a second career victory at the respected London Nocturne event.

 

“I have been fortunate to ride for some really great teams and managers over the years,” Clancy said. “Moving to Vitus Pro Cycling Team is a really exciting opportunity for me for the road ahead.”

 

Clancy also spoke about his excitement at joining a team with another successful and experienced manager, Cherie Pridham, a former world-class rider with Mapei and GS Mazza.

 

“I look forward to getting together with Cherie and the boys in the New Year,” Clancy said.

 

His campaign on the road for Vitus Pro Cycling Team will run simultaneously with his track racing efforts as he makes an ambitious bid to achieve a fourth spot on Team GB at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

 

“With less than two years to go until Tokyo 2020, I’ll be working hard on getting myself in the best possible position to be selected for the Great Britain team,” he said. “Riding on the road with Vitus Pro Cycling Team will complement my track work in preparation for what I hope will be selection for a fourth Olympic Games.”

 

Cherie Pridham, Vitus Pro Cycling Team’s owner and manager, said she was pleased to have signed Clancy, describing him as a “vital asset”.

 

“Ed’s achievements as a bike rider speak for themselves,” she said. “You don’t win three Olympic gold medals and six rainbow jerseys by chance. He is a world-class athlete, and a significant addition to our roster.

 

“We know too that Ed’s value to the team extends far beyond his unquestioned ability to win races. It’s hard to imagine a more inspiring figure for our younger riders: highly successful, but friendly, approachable and entirely down-to-earth.

 

“His career exemplifies the value to a professional cyclist of hard work and a level head. Gold medals haven’t changed Ed. He’s a model professional, able to lead by example, and will be a vital asset to the team next year, both on the bike and off.”

 

Clancy’s recruitment signals an ambitious program at Vitus Pro Cycling which is continuing to strengthen its roster as part of a three-year strategy for success.

 

Clancy is just the first signing to be announced with the full squad expected to be unveiled at the team’s official launch in Derby on Thursday 22 November 2018.

 

Pridham’s signing also earned the backing of the team’s Derby-based board. Speaking publicly about the signing, Chair Michael Kirkland said: “By signing a rider as accomplished as Ed Clancy in our second year, we’ve embarked on the next phase of our strategy for Vitus Pro Cycling Team.

 

“We believe that the management of a cycling team demands the same level of responsibility, accountability and commercial discipline as any business, and plan to demonstrate the value of a sustainable strategy in the years ahead.”