Cervélo-Lifeforce goes double-Dutch

While the men's Cervélo TestTeam is busy denying rumours of contract negotiations, the women's Cervélo-Lifeforce team has announced the signing of two new riders. Dutch riders Kirsten Wild and Regina Bruins will join the team from 2009.

25-year-old Wild has been riding with the AA-Drink team – which will cease as a top level women's team at the end of this year – since 2006 and is one of the fastest sprinters in the women's peloton. Her biggest win so far this year has been the women's Omloop Het Volk in March, but has had several podium places including third in the Ronde van Vlaanderen and three second places in the Giro d'Italia.

"It is an honour for me to join the Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team," Wild said. "[It] is one of the leading women teams of the last years. I like their dominant and attacking way of racing. All riders of the team are fantastic and professional persons and built a real team."

21-year-old Bruins is currently a member of the Ton van Bemmelen – Odysis team, she has achieved a number of good results this year including second place in the Novilon Eurocup Ronde Van Drenthe, second in the GP Costa Etrusca: Giro Comuni Castellina Marittima – Santa Luce and a victory in the team time trial stage of the Tour de l'Aude; the last two of those as a member of the Dutch national team.

"After four tremendous years we are slowly starting to change the generation of the team," said team manager Thomas Campana. "It is now time to plan long-term. Therefore we are very pleased to welcome both outstanding athletes from the Netherlands' and look forward to a long-term collaboration!"