A recent victor in the second stage of Tour de l’Ardèche, New Zealand’s Michaela Drummond is set to don the jersey of ARKEA-B&B HOTELS next year, adding more of an international flavour to the French team’s roster.
Sharing her excitement, Drummond stated, “Joining the ARKEA-B&B HOTELS women’s team next year is a grand opportunity for me, and one that will certainly aid my development as a road cyclist. I’m already familiar with the team’s professional structure and know that the riders are well-supported in terms of both material and staff. As a sprinter, my natural aim is to win road races. While I’ve set goals for certain competitions that may culminate in sprints, I also have my sights set on specific classics. Another objective is to assist my teammates in achieving their best performances. I find it encouraging that, come 2024, I will benefit from a team with a professional staff backing me. Moreover, track cycling remains a key part of my sporting objectives, especially considering the Olympics this year in France with Paris 2024.”
General Manager Emmanuel Hubert said, “Michaela Drummond’s arrival further diversifies our international team lineup. This is indeed the first time in our team’s history that we have signed a New Zealander. Michaela is a proven sprinter, a talent she recently showcased by taking the second stage of the Tour de l’Ardèche, beating a full peloton. Her speed skills have been honed through track cycling, where she has also performed exceptionally in team pursuit, bagging several medals with the New Zealand national team at the World Championships. Michaela is also in contention to represent her country in team pursuit at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.”
Drummond’s signing represents a significant milestone for ARKEA-B&B HOTELS. Not only does she bring a much-coveted sprinting prowess, but her experience in track cycling, specifically in team pursuit, adds another layer of depth to the team’s already diverse skill set. The addition of a rider of Drummond’s calibre also highlights the team’s commitment to women’s cycling and its resolve to build a roster capable of competing on multiple fronts—be it road races, classics, or even the Olympics.
After a hard 2023 season which saw Drummond affected by the Zaaf Cycling crisis before joining Farto-BTC, this move should secure stability for the 2024 season.
