Two-time Olympic track champion Laura Trott has announced she is to join the Matrix Fitness-Vulpine cycling team for the 2015 season.
The 22-year-old leaves behind the Wiggle-Honda road racing team after two successful years.
Trott pipped team mate Dani King and Lizzie Armitstead to take gold in the women's British road race championship in Abergavenny in June, followed up with a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games points race in July.
She also took part in the rain-affected Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 sportive in August, riding alongside her father and finishing in a time of 4 hours 23 minutes.
As the news broke on Twitter, Trott tweeted to say: "Thanks to everyone @WiggleHonda for an amazing 2 years. Loved every part of it with you guys. Looking forward to the rest of 2014 with u."
Explaining the reasons behind her decision on Sky Sports, Trott said:
"The reason I decided Matrix was the team for me is because of the work that Jon Johnson who owns Matrix the company, and Stef Wyman who's the team director have done for British Cycling. It's really hard for young girls to get into the sport and to actually race at UCI level, and the domestic team now has the chance to get UCI status, which is massive for a British team.
"I think the way they've gone about developing the sport, and not even just their team, British Cycling as a whole, is fantastic. They supported the young rider jersey at this year's Women's Tour and they also support the Women's Tour Series which is a criterium series which is televised. For them to do that and go out of their way and not just concentrate on their team is massive. I want to be a part of that and be a part of their development and see those riders compete and, if they do get UCI status, race against the likes of Marianne Vos."
Matrix Fitness-Vulpine's directeur sportif, Stef Wyman commented on the news to BBC reporter Nick Hope:
"Laura is a massive talent no matter what she does, track or road cycling.
"We've applied to be a full professional British team for the new season and to have someone like Laura in British stripes for us will be fantastic."
Comparing Trott's talent to that of Marianne Vos, Wyman continued:
"We hope to provide her with a really good progressive programme and team-mates to help her work towards her goals.
"First and foremost she's a track rider, double Olympic champion and we're hear to help her use the summer as effectively as possible in preparation for Rio.
"She has years of ambition left at the top in track cycling, but her potential on the road is absolutely huge."
Watch the Sky Sports interview with Laura Trott announcing her new team here.
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