Bob Varney

Bob Varney is the Co-Founder of Lifeplus-Wahoo formerly Drops Cycling Team, Britain’s leading UCI Women’s Continental Professional Cycling Team. Drops was founded in 2016 with the vision to make a positive impact on women’s cycling globally. Leading by example, they launched as a professional ‘amateur’ team – providing an immediate alternative to the velodrome dominated British Cycling programme for aspiring young British riders. With passion and determination, the mission to Colour the Road was born.

The Drops story is a motivating and inspiring one that has Varney at its centre. A qualified British Cycling Coach and UCI accredited Sports Director, Varney turned a dream into reality leading the Drops Cycling Team on to the world stage. With a squad made up solely of British Amateur Riders, Drops were soon mixing it with the world’s finest professional riders at the highest level. The following season witnessed a truly standout performance when young Leader, Alice Barnes, finished in 2nd place on Stage 3 of the prestigious OVO Energy Women’s Tour of Britain. Having progressed from rock bottom to 14th on the Women’s World Tour rankings in just three seasons, the team is one of the fastest growing in the world.

In 2023 with new title partners, Lifeplus-Wahoo are Britain’s highest ranked UCI registered women’s team and will continue to punch above their weight with a squad of twelve riders from seven countries. With guaranteed invitations to all the world’s biggest bike races – including the Tour de France Femmes - the ethos and founding principles haven’t changed, the team aims to create a happy and supportive environment where riders can develop and reach their full potential irrespective of age, experience or status. Bob will engage and inspire, providing a very personal insight into one of the greatest ‘fairy-tale’ stories of British sport. His enthusiasm is infectious.