Richard England (Bissell) (Image credit: Jon Devich)
Australian Richard England's cycling career was almost over just as it had begun to pick up steam. Let go from his Bissell squad after nabbing his first big win in the 2008 Tour de Georgia, England couldn't find a team and was about to retire. He got a new lease on life thanks to a contract from Amore e Vita. Cyclingnews' Les Clarke spoke to England at the Melbourne World Cup earlier this year.
Richard England began his cycling career on the track, taking home titles in the Team Pursuit and Madison before turning professional on the road in 2005. He came to America to ride with fellow Australian Karl Menzies on the Advantage Benefits/Endeavor team before moving across to Priority Health in 2006, where he remained until the team, which was sponsored by Bissell in 2008. England's best result came with a dramatic stage victory in the Tour de Georgia where he outfoxed the other sprinters in Dahlonega.
Despite that high-profile win, Bissell declined to extend his contract this year. With more teams folding than growing, England was afraid his time in the peloton might be over. But his is one of few such stories which has a happy ending.
