Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling is delighted to confirm that Eri Yonamine will join the team in 2018. The 26-year-old from Sakai-city, Osaka, is the reigning Japanese Champion in both the Road Race and Time Trial, and has impressed over all kinds of courses in her two seasons in the European peloton to date.

"This is a really exciting signing for Wiggle High5!” said Team founder, owner and manager, Rochelle Gilmore. “Eri has really impressed the global cycling scene the past couple of years, we have been watching her performances very closely.

“Cycling in Japan has become extremely popular and as a consequence, the successful Japanese cyclists have become increasingly recognised and famous in Japan. Eri has won EIGHT Japanese National Titles and is distinctively recognised as the owner of the Japanese Champion’s jersey in the women’s peloton.”

Despite being just 26 years old, Yonamine has already won three National Road Race titles, four National Time Trial titles, as well as one in Mountain Bike Cross Country. Her victory in both Road Race and Time Trial saw her qualify to represent Japan at the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, in 2016, while she has ridden every World Championships since 2013.

“I'm really excited to join Wiggle High 5!” she exclaimed. “I have big motivation to work for the team next year.”

“I wish to be a good part of the team as one rider and support my new teammates in the big races. I am proud to be the Champion of Japan and I want to show my jersey in the big races also.”

Since joining the elite women’s peloton in the United States and Europe in 2016, Yonamine has impressed in many of the World’s toughest races. Having finished fifth on top of Mont Ventoux in the 2016 Tour de l’Ardèche, she took 11th place in this year’s La Course by the Tour de France, on top of the Col d’Izoard.

“Eri’s performance which impressed me the most was at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where she finished 17th,” Gilmore explained. “If you analyse the strength of the field there, the difficulty of that course and, the way Eri climbed – ahead of some of the World’s best – you can appreciate the talent and potential she has!

“The commercial cycling industry in Japan is still booming – therefore our sponsors and partners are very excited about working with Eri to promote their brands and, Women’s Cycling in Japan.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Eri represent Wiggle High5 and expect that she will be a very valuable asset to our leaders in the toughest races.”