Trust the process: How Nicole Frain landed at Parkhotel Valkenburg mid-season

The first edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift just got a big green and gold boost by the name of Nicole Frain.

The 2022 elite women’s national road race champion was unveiled as a new signing for UCI Women’s Continental Team Parkhotel Valkenburg Cycling Team today on an 18-month contract, in a mid-season transfer from Australian UCI Women’s Continental Team Roxsolt Liv SRAM.

The opportunity to race full-time in Europe is a deserved opportunity for the 29-year-old, who has continued to log consistent, front-of-field results with Roxsolt Liv SRAM in the past two months across Europe.

“It was always my goal to try and step into a European team this year, and after nationals that also became even more of a focus,” Frain said.

“Plus, the opportunity to come over here with Roxsolt and get some racing in and a chance to show off the jersey.

“Peta (Mullens – Roxsolt Liv SRAM director/rider) always knew that was my goal and supported that for me when I came onboard with Roxsolt.

“I always hoped to be staying here for the rest of the year in Europe if it all worked out, which it has.

“After some good races and results in races my manager Annette Edmondson got in contact with the team and we went from there.

“I’m really excited to be able to stay here and to have more opportunities in some big races which can often be the harder part for Australian-based teams coming over; is competing for those big race starts against the other European-based teams, and given the contract is for 2023 as well I will have plenty of opportunities to develop, improve and hopefully get results for the team as well!”

The revelation Frain would jump straight into the most anticipated women’s race of the year in Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in two weeks was a shock, but the Tasmanian always had it as a goal in the back of her mind over the past month to drive her on.

“I didn’t expect to get a start in it, knowing that I’m coming on late into a team of really strong girls,” Frain said.

“But I knew it was a chance especially after I raced strong at Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour, so I kept training with that goal in mind until they made the team selection - so I was pretty happy to get the call to say I was starting that’s for sure.

“I got to start the first Paris-Roubaix last year (with TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank) also so I know I’m super lucky with these opportunities and hope I can race well and just learn a lot through the process.

“Plus, doing so in the national champion kit - it’s really special.”

The supported departure of Frain from the Roxsolt Liv SRAM roster is a moment that perfectly summarises the culture of Australia’s only UCI Women’s Continental Team, which oozes fun, passion and commitment to drive forward women’s cycling down under.

“I have loved the people I have met at Roxsolt,” Frain said.

“I have made friends I will always have and of course, I also have loved the fact I won the national jersey with them!

“I can forever be thankful for the belief they put in me to win that green and gold title earlier this year.”

Picture: Russ Ellis (Cycling Images)