Britton signs on with Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies for next two years
Canadian Rob Britton has found a home following the end of American Continental outfit Team Smartstop, signing for Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies for the next two seasons. Britton joins American Danny Pate in transferring to Optum, Pate’s switch from Sky to Optum having been revealed last month.
It's official – @RBinhd has signed a 2-yr deal w/ team. He joins @TheDPate to attack stage races in '16 and beyond. http://t.co/A3KV9Sp06K
— Optum Pro Cycling (@OPTUMpbKBS) October 13, 2015
Britton comes to Optum with his most successful season under his belt. In year two with Team Smartstop he won the Tour de Gila and placed third overall in the USA Pro Challenge after coming 10th in the Tour of California. In 2014 he was runner-up in both the Dominican Republic’s Vuelta Independencia Nacional and Quebec’s Tour de Beauce.
Optum will be the fourth Continental squad of Britton’s career, having started with Bissell Pro Cycling in 2010 before signing with British team Raleigh in 2013.
Looking forward to my new home @OPTUMpbKBS for the next 2yrs! Thankyou @TeamSmartStop @Michael_Creed #amazingtimes https://t.co/7HuNsxcLjH
— Rob Britton (@RBinhd) October 13, 2015
Britton is the second rider from sadly defunct Team Smartstop–runaway winners of the UCI America Tour last year–to find a home. Eric Marcotte, 2014 USA road champion, has signed with Jamis-Hagens Bermans. Twelve riders and several staff members are looking for teams.
