The United States gained another UCI team for the 2023 season after the Texas women's development team Roxo Racing opted to seek Continental status for 2023 with an eye on joining the Women's WorldTour in the future.
Emily Marcolini, winner of stages in the Redlands Classic and Tour of the Gila this season is one of 10 riders named to the outfit directed by Chann McRae, a former director for Slipstream's development team and former WorldTour rider. Marcolini won the 'Gila Monster' mountain stage at Tour of the Gila, confirming her talents as a climber.
Gravel racer Emily Newsom is also on board, who raced with EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, won Gravel Locos in 2021 and is chasing an elusive victory in Unbound next year.
Ariane Bonhomme, 27, a former Canadian champion who races on the track and road will also join the team with a title at the Canadian road national championships a major goal along with making Canada's team for the 2024 Olympic Games. "If I win the elite road race title it would make me the first female rider in Canada to win the road race title in junior, U23 and elite categories; I plan to do so," Bonhomme said.
Mexican Victoria Velasco, 20, will combine representing her country in track races and racing road with Roxo in 2023. She will be joined by compatriot Romina Hinojsa, 19.
The team is completed five US riders, Marjie Bemis, 21, Maeghan Easler, 25, Jacqueline Larouche, 28, Jamie Larmer, 40, and Haley Smith, 28. Along with Newsom, both Larmer and Smith are based in Texas.
"Roxo Racing was formed with the intent to build a Fort Worth-based women's Professional Cycling team from which we find and empower the most talented women in the sport," J.W. Wilson, president of Roxo Energy, explained in a press release. "Throw directors Chann McRae and Scott Warren in the mix and I think you see us on many podiums next season."
McRae, Warren, Chris Watson, JW Wilson, and Todd Reed make up the team's leadership.
Roxo Racing will target an American schedule, and intend to race the new National Cycling League, criteriums, and stage races like Tour of the Gila and Joe Martin Stage Race along with gravel races and endurance mountain bike events.
