Former US Pro road champion Emma Langley moves to Virginia’s Blue Ridge – TWENTY24 next season on a two-year contract, finding a new home when EF Education-TIBCO-SVB folded. She is part of a 10-rider roster of multi-discipline athletes led by multi-time track World Champion Jennifer Valente, who has been part of the programme for the past decade.
Sprinter Marlies Mejias, GC rider Emily Ehrlich and off-road specialist Melisa Rollins, who is part of the Life Time Grand Prix series in 2024, headline the roster of returning riders. Laurel Quinones and Sofia Arreola return to the squad alongside two U23 athletes, Ruth Holcomb, who joined mid-season in 2023, and Ella Sabo, who is a graduate from the team’s junior programme.
Jamie Whitmore also returns to the VBR TWENTY24 programme and will be supported in her efforts to make Team USA and compete in the Paralympics.
“The Paris Olympics next summer have been a primary goal. I am looking forward to continuing to balance my track racing ambitions with domestic road races in the upcoming season. This balance has worked well for me in the past and will be a key part of my build toward Paris,” Valente said in a team statement.
“The support needed to compete at an Olympic Games goes far beyond race day. Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 continues to be a positive and motivating environment for me to push myself. I’m looking forward to representing both VBR and Team USA next year.”
Mejías was one of the most prolific winners on the North American circuit last year, accounting for 16 victories. The 30-year-old from Cuba won stages at the Tour of the Gila and Joe Martin Stage race and both criteriums at the Armed Forces Cycling Classic. She’s looking to qualify on the track for her third Olympic Games this next year.
Ehrlich won GC titles at national stage races, Valley of the Sun and Redlands Bicycle Classic, as well as two stages at the Tour of the Gila. She capped off her road season with a third place at Chrono Gatineau, a 1.1 UCI time trial in Canada, Ehrlich has also been spending time training on the track with team pursuit goals in mind.
“I achieved a few big dreams of mine this season including winning a stage race and multiple time trials,” Ehrlich said. “I have very big goals for next season including the possibility of qualifying for the Olympic team in multiple disciplines, Pro Road National Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, and of course, stage races.”
Langley ended her 2023 season at the Tour of…
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