Ambition

One of the key growth areas of bicycle racing in Africa and abroad is in the women’s category. Ryder Cycling saw this opportunity and created Africa’s first ever fully professional women’s cycling team in 2008. The team was dominant in South Africa, winning 40 out of 45 races. It also produced the two national champions for 2008 in Cherise Taylor (Road Race) and Marissa van der Merwe (Time Trial). Both riders represented South Africa at the Beijing Olympic Games. 

One of Ryder Cycling’s key objectives with this women’s team has been to transform women’s cycling into a more aggressive racing category. The team’s modus operandi is to consistently be on the attack in order to stimulate a more interesting, higher-paced racing scene, which has been hugely successful. As opposed to the past where most women’s races were contested in a large bunch sprint, virtually all the races have ended in splinter groups with high average speeds, ensuring a higher standard of women’s cycling in South Africa.

Taylor won the road race silver medal at the 2007 Junior World Championships, and in her first year as an Elite, won the national road race title. At only 18, she is regarded as a bright international prospect and in order to support Taylor’s cause for international success,

in 2009 Ryder Cycling has upgraded the team to a UCI professional women’s team. The team is ranked 17th in the World and has qualified to be invited to major international events, giving the talented riders more opportunities to shine on a global level.

2009 UCI Continental Team
Marissa van der Merwe, Cherise Taylor, Chrissie Viljoen, Cashandra Slingerland, Magdalene Nicholson, Carla Swart, Larissa Kleinmann, Lylanie Lauwrens