The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team is pleased to announce that world-class road racing and time trialing champion Linda Villumsen will join the program for two years beginning in 2015. Villumsen won both the Danish national road and time trial titles three years in a row before becoming a citizen of New Zealand. A consistent podium threat for both road and time trial disciplines, having earned podium positions at the World Championships on multiple occasions, Villumsen will continue to pursue victory at the highest level while proudly wearing the blue and white of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team. Linda’s recent achievements include stage 2 time trial victory followed by overall victory at the 2014 Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche, as well as earning the gold medal in the time trial at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. General Manager Mike Tamayo commented, “Linda is a phenomenal rider who has been on the verge of a world championship in multiple occasions. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team will devote their immense resources and support network to helping Linda take that last step on the podium. The addition of Villumsen to the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team bolsters our already strong roster with her immense abilities as a general classification rider, time trial specialist, and consistent all-around performer.”
Linda commented, “I am very proud to be joining the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team for 2015. Having finally made it to the top step of the podium at the Commonwealth Games, I believe the time is right to search for a new challenge to maintain this new momentum through to the Olympics in 2016! To do this, I will need focus and support through 2015 and the switch to UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling, I believe, will provide this for me. The team is highly focused on a home World Championships in 2015 and to repay them for their support and shared vision I’d love to help them win the Team Time Trial at the championships, as well as winning the Individual title for myself. As I have signed for 2016 also I will then be able to display the World Bands on the Team’s kit in the run up to Rio.”
Looking forward to expanding her race resume with the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, Linda concluded, “I have done a few races in America, but the majority will pose new and exciting challenges and I am looking forward to be part of the lead out train on the flat as well as having GC opportunities because of my climbing and TT abilities. The team has a dynamic and refreshing approach on which I can feed and hopefully bring success to us both.”