Rise Racing unveils line-up for fourth season
Southern Ontario-based team welcomes riders from Alberta and B.C. as they are set to tackle the USA Crit Series in 2018
Rise Racing is entering its fourth season as an all Canadian women’s team focused on contributing to the development of women’s cycling in Canada. The team was founded by Ashley Barson and Jamie Gilgen in 2014 finding success racing on the Canadian and U.S. circuit for the past three seasons. In 2018, the team grows to eight riders welcoming members from Alberta and B.C. to a strong contingent of riders from Ontario.
The team is composed of riders who excel in road, track and cyclocross though the teams focus will be on the North American road circuit in 2018. The team will additionally race in the D1 team division in the USA Crits Series alongside nine other teams. The USA Crits Series consists of 11 races across the United States which can be followed live during the season at usacrits.tv. The series begins in Athens, Georgia on April 28.
The team’s core is from Southern Ontario but in 2018 riders from the west coast will be racing under the colours of Rise Racing. New members include Abbey McGill from Alberta, Haley Gill from B.C. and Kristen Kit from B.C. Kit is the coxie on the Canadian women’s eight rowing team that won silver at the 2017 world championships in Florida.
The team is completed by five riders from Ontario led by team co-founders Barson and Gilgen. Joyce Spruyt, Kassandra Kriarakis and Kathryn Randle complete the squad.
The team will race in two different jerseys in 2018. A purple kit will be used in road races while a turquoise kit that matches the team’s opal coloured Smith Overtake helmet will help identify the team in criteriums.
2018 Rise Racing roster
Abbey McGill (Alta.)
Ashley Barson (Ont.)
Haley Gill (B.C.)
Jamie Gilgen (Ont.)
Joyce Spruyt (Ont.)
Kassandra Kriarakis (Ont.)
Kathryn Randle (Ont.)
Kristen Kit (B.C.)
