EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, longest-running women's cycling team, to disband in 2023, 'sponsorship challenges' cited

EF Education-TIBCO-SVB will fold at the end of 2023.

Linda Jackson, founder and CEO of To the Top Cycling LLC, confirmed the end of the programme, which was the longest continuously running women's professional cycling team in the world at 19 years.

The team's current Women's WorldTeam licence will also not be assumed by another team. All staff, including riders, are eligible to join new teams in 2024.

“It is with deep regret that I confirm that I have not been able to secure the sponsorship needed to maintain my world tour licence,” Jackson said to Cycling News.

“Trying to find sponsorship was just too difficult following SVB’s collapse in March, given the overall economic environment at the time. I let my riders know early on that they should be looking for other opportunities as my main priority was to be transparent and assist them with transitions to other world tour teams versus dragging out the sponsorship hunt to the 11th hour."

The loss of long-time team sponsors TIBCO and Silicon Valley Bank due to "recent economic challenges and events" compounded the issues.

“[I’m] Proud of what we built from the local group of Palo Alto Bicycles riders we were in 2003/2004 to winning Paris Roubaix this year," Jackson said. "Proud of the difference our team made in the lives of so many young women, a difference that will benefit them for their lifetimes. Proud of how our team hung on through the 2008 recession, TIBCO being sold in 2015, COVID, and many, many more sponsorship challenges that we had to overcome during a span of almost 20 years. And very proud to have played a part in the development of women’s cycling. What the sport was 20 years ago when I first started this programme, compared to what it is now, is simply remarkable.

“I’m also grateful to all of the grassroots Silicon Valley supporters that helped us grow. Grateful to TIBCO and SVB for their unwavering support since we first starting working together in 2005/2006. And grateful to Rachel Hedderman and Patricia Schwager, and the rest of our staff, for the role they played in building this team. I couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you, everyone, it was quite the ride.”

EF Education-TIBCO-SVB's European Manager, Christel Herremans, told Belgian publication Sporza that staff were not allowed to work for the new EF Education-Cannondale team for up to two years. In her statement, Jackson responded to the narrative that refusing to work with the EF Education men's programme meant that her staff were out of work for the 2024 season.

"I have been unable to secure sponsorship to renew my WorldTour licence, and currently have no plans to operate a Continental team either," Jackson said.

"As you can see, the hiring of Veronica [Ewers], and possibly other riders, neither I, nor EF, are enforcing any contract clause that would prevent them from hiring EF-TIBCO-SVB staff or riders and they are free to contact the new EF Education-Cannondale team regarding work for next season. I have no say or influence on which members, riders or staff, from this year’s team they choose to hire for 2024 and beyond."

- - -

Stream the 2023 Vuelta a Espana live and on-demand on discovery+ and eurosport.com