Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling

{{Infobox cycling team

| name = Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling

| image = 300px

| code = WHT

| registered = Great Britain{{cite web |url=http://www.uci.ch/womens-cycling/wiggle-honda-third-season-and-aiming-high/ |title=Wiggle–Honda: Third season and aiming high|date=10 April 2015 |website=Union Cycliste Internationale |access-date=20 November 2015}}

| founded = {{Start date|df=yes|2012}}

| disbanded = 2018

| discipline = Road

| status = UCI Women's Team

| bicycles = Colnago

| website =

| generalmanager = Rochelle Gilmore

| teammanager = Allan Davis
Kim Palmer

|season=2013–2015
2016–2018

|oldname= Wiggle–Honda
Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling

| kitimage = Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling jersey.png

| current =

}}

Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling ({{UCI code|WHT}}) was a British professional cycling team based in Belgium, which competed in elite road bicycle racing and track cycling events, such as the UCI Women's Road World Cup. The team closed at the end of 2018.

The team was the idea of the manager and rider Rochelle Gilmore,{{cite web|last=Woodman|first=Oli|title=Wiggle–Honda Women's Pro Cycling team launched|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggle-honda-womens-pro-cycling-team-launched|website=Cycling News|access-date=24 February 2013|date=26 January 2013}}{{cite web|title=Gilmore combines twin roles at Wiggle–Honda|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gilmore-combines-twin-roles-at-wiggle-honda|website=Cycling News|access-date=24 February 2013|date=1 February 2012}} and was formed with backing from the Bradley Wiggins Foundation and British Cycling. The final main sponsors of the team were Wiggle and High5.

Team history

=2013=

File:Thüringen-Rundfahrt der Frauen 2013 009.JPG at the Thüringen-Rundfahrt der Frauen.]]

On 3 March the team achieved its first ever victory when Emily Collins won the Omloop van het Hageland one day race in Belgium. Collins Shelley Olds (Team TIBCO) and Emma Johansson (Orica–AIS) in a final sprint. On 18 May the team earned its first overall General classification win at the Tour of Zhoushan Island in China where Giorgia Bronzini took overall victory from the Hitec Products UCK pairing of Elisa Longo Borghini and Cecilie Gotaas Johnsen by 14 seconds and 1 minute 6 seconds respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Tour_of_Zhoushan_Island_2013|title=Tour of Zhoushan Island 2013|author=ProCyclingStats}} The team's second overall victory came at the 2013 La Route de France, where Linda Villumsen won stage 7 and in doing so took overall victory from Emma Johansson by 5 minutes 52 seconds.{{cite web|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/La_Route_de_France_2013|title=La Route de France 2013|author=ProCyclingStats}} The race will be remembered for the record breaking efforts of Bronzini who won six consecutive stages (1–6) breaking the all-time record for consecutive stage wins in a women's stage racing and meaning that the team won all 7 road stages.{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/record-breaking-giorgia-bronzini-takes-unprecedented-sixth-route-de-france-stage-victory/|title=Record-breaking Bronzini takes unprecedented sixth stage victory|publisher=Wiggle–Honda}} The team finished the season fifth in the UCI Rankings (1060 points) and seventh in the Women's World Cup rankings (166 points).{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingarchives.com/ploegfiche.php?id=17155|title=Wiggle Honda 2013|publisher=Cycling Archives}}

On 23 August 2013 it was announced that reigning Swedish national road race champion, Emilia Fahlin, would be joining the team for the 2014 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fahlin-to-wiggle-honda-in-2014|title=Fahlin to Wiggle Honda in 2014|work=Cyclingnews.com}} Also joining the team for the 2014 season are Peta Mullens{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/peta-mullens-to-join-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-in-2014/|title=Peta Mullens to join Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling in 2014|publisher=Wiggle–Honda}} and current Spanish National Time Trial champion, Anna Sanchis.{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/anna-sanchis-signs-for-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-for-2014/|title=Anna Sanchis signs for Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling for 2014|publisher=Wiggle–Honda}} The team have also signed Joanne Tralaggan for the remainder of 2013.{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-signs-joanne-tralaggan-for-the-rest-of-2013/|title=Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling Signs Joanne Tralaggan For The Rest Of 2013|publisher=Wiggle–Honda}}

On 24 August 2013 it was announced that Lauren Kitchen would be leaving the team, joining Hitec Products UCK for the 2014 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kitchen-joins-hitec-products-uck-from-wiggle-honda|title=Kitchen joins Hitec Products — UCK from Wiggle–Honda|work=Cyclingnews.com}} Simon Cope left after Wiggle–Honda's inaugural season to direct continental team {{UCI team code|MGT|2014}} in 2014.

=2014=

The team took a total of 16 wins in 2014.

On 3 July 2014 it was announced that the co-founder of Le Tour Entier, Kathryn Bertine, had been signed by the team to ride La Course by Le Tour de France.{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/kathryn-bertine-to-ride-la-course-by-le-tour-de-france-for-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling/|title=Kathryn Bertine to ride La Course by Le Tour de France for Wiggle–Honda|publisher=Wiggle–Honda}} On 15 October Jessica Mundy signed with the team with immediate effect{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/jessica-mundy-joins-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-with-immediate-effect/|title=Jessica Mundy joins Wiggle–Honda Pro Cycling with immediate effect|work=wigglehonda.com}} On 5 November 2014 the team announced the signing of Rebecca Wiasak for the remainder of 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/news-shorts-caja-rural-license-renewed-pliuschin-to-synergy-baku|title=News shorts: Caja Rural license renewed, Pliuschin to Synergy Baku|work=Cyclingnews.com}}

On 30 September 2014 it was announced that Elisa Longo Borghini would join the team for 2015{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/elisa-longo-borghini-joins-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-in-2015/|title=Elisa Longo Borghini joins Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling in 2015|publisher=Wiggle–Honda}} with Dani King signing a contract extension. On 7 October the team announced the signing of Anna Christian and two-time Giro Rosa champion Mara Abbott for the 2015 season.{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/mara-abbott-and-anna-christian-sign-for-wiggle-honda-in-2015/|title=Mara Abbott and Anna Christian sign for Wiggle Honda in 2015|publisher=Wiggle–Honda}} On 10 October, the team announced {{UCI team code|TIB|2014}} director Egon van Kessel would be taking on the role of the team's DS for 2015.{{cite news|title=Egon Van Kessel Joins Wiggle–Honda Pro Cycling As Directeur Sportif|url=http://www.wigglehighfive.com/egon-van-kessel-joins-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-as-directeur-sportif/|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Wiggle High5|date=10 October 2014}} On 13 October 2014 Audrey Cordon and Jolien D'Hoore joined the team and on 22 October Annette Edmondson joined the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/edmondson-signs-for-wiggle-honda|title=Edmondson signs for Wiggle–Honda|work=Cyclingnews.com}} On 25 October 2014 the team announced the signing of current British National Criterium Champion, Eileen Roe with immediate effect and in time to compete in the Australian Criterium season.{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/eileen-roe-joins-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-in-time-for-the-australian-criterium-season/|title=Eileen Roe joins Wiggle–Honda in time for the Australian Criterium Season|publisher=Wiggle–Honda}} On 27 October 2014 the team announced the signing of Chloe Hosking on a one-year contract with Emilia Fahlin signing an extension.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggle-honda-bolsters-squad-with-hosking-signing|title=Wiggle–Honda bolsters squad with Hosking signing|work=Cyclingnews.com}} On 4 November 2014 Anna Sanchis and Amy Roberts signed one-year extensions.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sanchis-and-roberts-extend-with-wiggle-honda|title=Sanchis and Roberts extend with Wiggle–Honda|work=Cyclingnews.com}} On 6 November 2014, Wiggle–Honda announced that Mayuko Hagiwara also extended her contract.{{cite web|title=Mayuko Hagiwara renews her contract with Wiggle–Honda Pro Cycling|url=http://wigglehonda.com/mayuko-hagiwara-renews-her-contract-with-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling/|website=Wiggle–Honda|access-date=7 November 2014}} On 10 November 2014 Giorgia Bronzini signed a contract extension with the team for 2015.{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/giorgia-bronzini-heading-for-a-third-season-of-success-with-wiggle-honda/|title=Giorgia Bronzini heading for a third season of success with Wiggle–Honda|work=wigglehonda.com}} On 4 December 2014 the team announced they had signed Georgia Baker for the remainder of 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/news-shorts-froome-arrives-in-tasmania-five-worldtour-teams-for-algarve|title=News Shorts: Froome arrives in Tasmania, five WorldTour teams for Algarve|work=Cyclingnews.com}}

On 8 September 2014 it was announced that Laura Trott would leave the team and join Matrix Fitness Pro Cycling and on 9 September 2014 it was reported that Linda Villumsen will leave the team to join the UnitedHealthcare Women's Team for the 2015 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/villumsen-signs-with-unitedhealthcare|title=Villumsen signs with Unitedhealthcare|work=Cyclingnews.com}} On 30 September it was reported that Elinor Barker would leave to join Matrix Fitness–Vulpine with Joanna Rowsell leaving for Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International and on 1 October 2014 it was announced that Charlotte Becker would be leaving for Team Hitec Products.{{cite web|url=http://women.cyclingfever.com/transfers.html?xs=5|title=Cycling Transfers 2015 - - Team Information|publisher=Cycling Fever}} On 30 October Beatrice Bartelloni left the team, joining Alé–Cipollini for the 2015 season. On 23 November 2014 Anna-Bianca Schnitzmeier retired. On 16 December 2014 Emily Collins announced she would leave the team via Twitter.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EmilyCollins_NZ/status/545081623603970048|title=Emily Collins on Twitter|work=Twitter}}

=2015=

File:2015 Omloop van het Hageland, final sprint.JPG.]]

On 2 January Chloe Hosking scored the team's first win of the 2015 season by taking Stage 1 of the Bay Classic Series – this also marked Hoskings first victory since joining the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hosking-out-to-defend-mitchelton-bay-cycling-classic-lead|title=Hosking out to defend Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic lead|work=Cyclingnews.com}} Hosking would then go onto the claim the overall win in the race, with Bronzini taking another stage win for the team. The team's next win came at the Omloop van het Hageland where current Belgian national champion and new signing – Jolien D'Hoore claimed her first win and the team's first on European soil. The team would then go onto an enjoy a rich run of results, with D'Hoore winning Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe,{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/boels-rental-ronde-van-drenthe-2015/results|title=Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe 2015: Results - Cyclingnews.com|author=Sarah Connolly|work=Cyclingnews.com}} Bronzini claiming Acht van Westerveld,{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/womens-news-shorts-uci-to-introduce-womens-worldtour-in-2016|title=Women’s news shorts: UCI to introduce Women’s WorldTour in 2016|author=Kirsten Frattini|work=Cyclingnews.com}} new signing Audrey Cordon winning Cholet Pays de Loire Dames{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/cholet-pays-de-loire-dames-2015/results|title=Cholet Pays de Loire Dames 2015: Results - Cyclingnews.com|work=Cyclingnews.com}} and another new signing Elisa Longo Borghini winning the Tour of Flanders.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/longo-borghini-i-dream-of-womens-cycling-being-as-professional-as-the-mens|title=Longo Borghini: I dream of women's cycling being as professional as the men's|author=Sadhbh O'Shea|work=Cyclingnews.com}} In April, D'Hoore went on to win the first stage of the Energiewacht Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/energiewacht-tour-2015/stage-1/results|title=Energiewacht Tour 2015: Stage 1 Results - Cyclingnews.com|work=Cyclingnews.com}}

Less than 24 hours after claiming the 2015 Australian National Road Race championship, the team announced they had re-signed Peta Mullens for the 2015 season.{{cite web|url=http://wigglehonda.com/australian-champion-signs-with-wiggle-honda-again/|title=Australian Champion signs with Wiggle–Honda again!|work=wigglehonda.com}}

The team took a total of 35 wins in 2015, more than any other women's cycling team that year.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/wiggle-honda-and-velocio-sram-2015-report-cards/ |title=Wiggle Honda and Velocio-SRAM: 2015 Report Cards |last1=Fletcher |first1=Patrick |date=19 November 2015 |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=20 November 2015}} In August 2015, it was announced that Emma Johansson would join the team on a two-year deal for the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/johansson-joins-wiggle-honda-for-2016-season/|title=Johansson joins Wiggle-Honda for 2016 season - Cyclingnews.com}} On 1 September 2015 the team announced that Amy Pieters would be joining them for the 2016 season,{{Cite web|title = Amy Pieters to join Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling in 2016 {{!}} Wiggle–Honda Pro Cycling|url = http://wigglehonda.com/amy-pieters-to-join-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-in-2016/|website = wigglehonda.com|access-date = 2015-09-01}} followed shortly afterwards by the news that Lucy Garner was signed as well.{{Cite web|title = Lucy Garner Joins Wiggle–Honda Pro Cycling For Two Years {{!}} Wiggle–Honda Pro Cycling|url = http://wigglehonda.com/lucy-garner-joins-wiggle-honda-pro-cycling-for-two-years/|website = wigglehonda.com|access-date = 2015-09-14}}

=2016=

Donna Rae-Szalinski replaced Egon van Kessel as directeur sportif at Wiggle High5 mid-season through 2016, Donna coming in from directing Rochelle Gilmore's Australian NRS team High5 Dream Team.{{cite news|title=Donna Rae Szalinski: "Having many talented athletes in one team is a gift not a problem"|url=http://www.wigglehighfive.com/donna-rae-szalinski-having-many-talented-athletes-in-one-team-is-a-gift-not-a-problem/|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Wiggle High5|date=23 December 2016}}

=2017=

At the end of 2017 the team saw large changes in the team members. Of the fifteen rider roster, three riders retiring Claudia Lichtenberg, Emma Johansson, and Anna Sanchis; and an additional four riders transferring out to other teams Giorgia Bronzini, Jolien D'Hoore, Mayuko Hagiwara, and Amy Roberts, as well as assistant directeur sportif Martin Vestby. Wiggle High5 would sign on eight new riders for 2018; Katie Archibald, Rachele Barbieri, Elinor Barker, Lisa Brennauer, Martina Ritter, Macey Stewart, Kirsten Wild, and Eri Yonamine.

=2018=

Wiggle High5 started 2018 with one of the largest UCI Women's rosters, with eight returning riders and eight new signings. In between the end of the Australian summer races in January and the start of the European spring races at the end of February, it was revealed the team had terminated the employment of their head directeur sportif Donna Rae-Szalinski. Leaving the team also was technical director and then incoming DS Alex Greenfield, head mechanic Tim Haverals, and remaining soigneur Laura Weislo. The team brought in Allan Davis who had started working with new UCI Continental men's team Brisbane Continental Cycling Team in 2018, as Wiggle High 5's DS while legal proceedings are underway with Rae-Szalinski.{{cite news|last1=Rogers|first1=Owen|title=Wiggle High5 fire lead director Rae-Szalinski|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggle-high5-fire-lead-director-rae-szalinski|access-date=11 February 2018|work=Cycling News|date=10 February 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Shane|title=ONE LAST RIDE FOR CYCLING CHAMP: Davis is back|url=https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/one-last-ride-for-cycling-champ-davis-is-back/3278757/|access-date=18 February 2018|work=Sunshine Coast Daily|publisher=News Corp|date=30 November 2017}} Ahead of taking her first duty at the Tour of Chongming Island at the end of April, the team announced Kim Palmer as incoming assistant directeur sportif; who like former DS Rae-Szalinski had led the now disbanded High5 Dream Team, and various Australian national team squads.{{cite news|title=Wiggle High5 welcomes Kim Palmer as assistant directeur sportif|url=http://www.wigglehighfive.com/wiggle-high5-welcomes-kim-palmer-as-assistant-directeur-sportif/|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Wiggle High5|date=24 April 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Finch-Penninger|first1=Jamie|title=Gilmore mulls future of NRS High5 Dream Team|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/article/2017/12/05/gilmore-mulls-future-nrs-high5-dream-team|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Cycling Central|publisher=SBS|date=7 December 2017}}

With Cycling Australia pulling support for national development teams that were usually where Amy Gillett Foundation Cycling Scholarship recipients would race with, near the end of April it was announced that Grace Brown was selected as the 2018 scholarship holder and would start racing overseas with Wiggle High5 starting with the mid-May Tour of California.{{cite news|last1=Lane|first1=Samantha|title=High5 Dream Team a boost for Australian women's cycling|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/high5-dream-team-a-boost-for-australian-womens-cycling-20150109-12kylm.html|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=9 January 2015}}

On 25 July 2018, Rochelle Gilmore announced that the team would not run in 2019 in an announcement video on their YouTube channel.{{cite web |title=Wiggle High5 2013-2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS1DehymLZI |website=YouTube |publisher=Wiggle High5 |access-date=5 September 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Owen |title=Rochelle Gilmore announces the end of British registered Wiggle-High5 team |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/rochelle-gilmore-announces-end-british-registered-wiggle-high5-six-years-388152 |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=Cycling Weekly |date=26 July 2018}}

The first departure of the team was Grace Brown, returning after her Amy Gillett Scholarship period to race domestically with Team Holden Gusto. As the largest UCI Women's team, and with the team shutting down by the end of the year, the first rider announcing their new team for 2019 was Elisa Longo Borghini.{{cite news |title=Elisa Longo Borghini joins Trek |url=https://racing.trekbikes.com/sport/road/2018/elisa-longo-borghini-joins-trek/ |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=Trek Racing |date=8 August 2018}} Later in August, Hitec Products–Birk Sport announced Lucy Garner would be switching teams from Wiggle High5.{{cite news |last1=Lima |first1=Karl |title=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/Karl_Lima_Hitec/status/1032990710469984258 |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=Hitec Products – Birk Sport |date=24 August 2018}} Then a week later, WNT–Rotor Pro Cycling announced both Kirsten Wild and Lisa Brennauer would join in 2019 on two year contracts.{{cite news |title=Dutch power house, Wild joins until 2020 |url=https://www.wnt-rotor-pro-cycling.com/uk/news/blog.html?tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=2096&cHash=7e42f4a553362c1f91c1f44199bb9358 |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=WNT Rotor Pro Cycling Team |date=27 August 2018}}{{cite news |title=Four-times world champion Lisa Brennauer moves to WNT-ROTOR Pro-Cycling Team in 2019 |url=https://www.wnt-rotor-pro-cycling.com/uk/news/blog.html?tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=2098&cHash=9de940d6fef69221168bb151d92b1e4f |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=WNT Rotor Pro Cycling Team |date=28 August 2018}} In early September, FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope announced Emilia Fahlin would join the team for 2019.{{cite news |title=Emilia Fahlin rejoint notre équipe pour 2019 |url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/fdj-nouvelle-aquitaine-futuroscope/emilia-fahlin-rejoint-notre-%C3%A9quipe-pour-2019/1913184125437036/ |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=FDJ – Nouvelle Aquitane – Futuroscope |date=4 September 2018}}

Team roster

{{Cycling squad start}}{{cite web|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/team/wiggle-high5-2018 |title=Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling |work=ProCyclingStats |access-date=30 May 2018}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Katie Archibald|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|3|12}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Rachele Barbieri|nat=ITA|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1997|2|21}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Elinor Barker|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|9|7}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Lisa Brennauer|nat=GER|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|6|8}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Grace Brown|nat=AUS|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|7|7}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Audrey Cordon|nat=FRA|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1989|9|22}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Amy Cure|nat=AUS|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|12|31}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Annette Edmondson|nat=AUS|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|12|12}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Emilia Fahlin|nat=SWE|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|10|24}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Lucy Garner|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|9|20}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Grace Garner|nat=GBR|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1997|6|19}}}}

{{Cycling squad rider|name=Julie Leth|nat=DNK|birthdate={{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|7|13}}}}