Earlier today it was announced that the former HTC-Highroad women's team will continue into 2012 with new title sponsors and management group. The team, which will be made up of a large percentage of the 2011 rider roster and staff, will be primarily supported by Specialized and Lululemon Athletica and will be known as Team Specialized-Lululemon.

As a company focused on racing and developing bikes and equipment, the Specialized company is excited to join forces with Lululemon - especially with the 2012 London Olympics coming next year.

"This is such an awesome opportunity for us," Specialized President and Founder Mike Sinyard told Roadcycling.com and Roadcycling.mobi and added "We're really excited to put our name behind these incredible athletes with an inspiring company like lululemon that makes the best women's athletic apparel in the world. Our pro riders give us invaluable feedback to continue innovating the best bikes in the world."

"We can't wait to elevate women's cycling with Specialized," Christine Day, CEO of Lululemon Athletica commented and continued "Their technical expertise, longstanding pedigree and dedication to women in cycling inspire our entire organization. Feedback from the athletes is what drives us and these amazing athletes further enhance our focus on technical product."

The team will race on the all-new 2012 Specialized Amira women's road bikes. The women will also ride the World Championship-winning S-Works Shiv time trial bike, the S-Works Prevail and TT2 helmets.

Although the team will not continue to be run by High Road Sports, Highroad will be a sponsor of the team going forward according to a team spokesperson.

"Bob [Stapleton] has been an avid supporter of women's cycling for many years and we would like to carry on his hard work by continuing the team with much of the same structure in place," newly hired director of Velocio Sports Kristy Scrymgeour told Roadcycling.com and Roadcycling.mobi and continued "He has been very supportive of the project and will provide us with valuable equipment to get us going."

Most of the team's firepower will return for 2012, including star riders like sprint star Ina-Yoko Teutenberg of Germany, U.S. national time trial champion Evelyn Stevens and former world time trial champion Amber Neben (USA) An interesting new addition to the roster will be Olympic medalist of both cycling and speed skating, Clara Hughes from Canada

Other returning riders are Ellen Van Dijk (Netherlands), Emilia Fahlin (Sweden), Chloe Hosking (Australia), Ally Stacher (USA), Charlotte Becker (Germany) and Katie Colclough (Great Britain) with new additions in Trixi Worrack (Germany) and Lisa Brennauer also from Germany.

Ronny Lauke will continue as Specialized-Lululemon team manager and sport director and Oliver Grabowski and Beth Duryea will remain with the team as head mechanic and soigneur, respectively.