MELBOURNE, October 9, 2025 – Oceania Teams Launch New Collaboration to Take on Europe
Subhead:
Meridian Blue and Black Magic Women Merge Elite Programs in 2026
Lead:
New Zealand’s Black Magic Women and Australia’s Meridian Blue Cycling today announced the launch of a merged elite women’s cycling program to create opportunities for Oceanian women cyclists.
Main Body
With over a decade of antipodean athlete development between them, Meridian Blue and Black Magic will form a new UCI Women’s Continental team. The team will be ideally placed to provide a springboard for Australian and New Zealand cyclists to progress their careers.
Black Magic Women has been the preeminent pathway to professional cycling for kiwi women over the past seven years with the likes of Niamh Fisher-Black, Kim Cadzow, Mikayla Harvey and Michaela Drummond all progressing to the highest level. 2025 saw Black Magic complete a full European calendar with invites to 10 UCI races, including the Tour of Poland and Gracia Orlova, where Alli Anderson lead the youth classification.
Meridian Blue Cycling started as an Australian U19 program in 2021, and alumnae already include Emily Dixon (Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto Generation) and Talia Appleton (3rd at 2025 Tour de L’Avenir). In 2025 the change to elite focus had the new team animating the Australian ProVelo Super League with stage wins to Lauren Bates and Keely Bennett. Following the Aussie summer five of the team travelled independently to Europe with notable results for Alyssa Polites, Mia Williams and Cassia Boglio.
In 2025 Oceania riders comprise 7% of the Women’s World Tour peloton and Oceania riders won 14% of the medals available at the recent World Championships in Rwanda. Despite the established quality of Australian and New Zealand riders at the highest level, Oceania women only make up 1% of the UCI Women’s Continental peloton. This is a worrying figure. Continental teams are the finishing-school where riders prepare for professional careers, and this lack of opportunity creates a barrier for Australian and New Zealand women.
The new Meridian Blue Continental Team will seek to address this imbalance, and together with Black Magic Women the collaboration will foster development pathways from junior level to the pinnacle of the sport at World Tour level.
Quotes:
About Meridian Blue: Meridian Blue is excited to take the next step to become a UCI Continental Team.
Our DNA is in rider development, and we have always looked to fill gaps in the career pathways. The logistical and financial challenges make it a simple decision to work closely with Black Magic to create a sustainable model for Oceania riders to race in Europe. We are excited about bringing a highly competitive team to UCI races in Europe after getting the job done at ProVelo Super League.
David Williams, Team Director, Meridian Blue Cycling
About Athlete Development: The evolution of women’s cycling is progressing at breakneck speed, with increased professionalism pricing out many teams. The foundations of the sport are threatened by high barriers, even while cycling participation is growing. We want to be known for providing accessible and visible athlete development for future professional cyclists. It is a long way from the local race scene to the Tour de France Femmes, and Continental level racing is a significant step along that pathway. We proudly represent Oceania talent and look forward to engaging the cycling community on our journey.
David Williams, Team Director, Meridian Blue Cycling
About Black Magic Women: The Black Magic Women’s Cycling Team is an elite development squad dedicated to nurturing New Zealand’s top female cycling talent. Their mission is to provide a clear pathway for aspiring young athletes to progress from national competitions to the international professional circuit. The team has a strong history of supporting New Zealand riders to be the best version of themselves, with past riders progressing to UCI Professional Teams. Collaborating with Meridian Blue provides an exciting opportunity to provide a clear pathway to a UCI Continental Team.
Patrick Harvey, Director, Black Magic Women
Meridian Blue Cycling:
Meridian Blue Cycling operate an Oceania focused cycling development program registered in Australia.
Founded in 2021 to provide a platform for U19 riders, the program has evolved to an U23 focused elite team that’s serves as a development pathway for emerging talent. We continue to work with Junior (U19) riders to provide team racing opportunities, mentorship and athlete development.
www.meridianbluecycling.com.au
Black Magic Women
An elite women’s cycling platform focused on developing the next generation of female cyclists and promoting the growth of women’s cycling in New Zealand. Black Magic Women was founded in 2017 and remains the principal pathway for elite cyclist development from New Zealand.
www.bmwcycling.com.au
Contact Details;
David Williams Meridian Blue Cycling
E:
Meridian Blue Cycling: Instagram @meridianbluecycling Facebook @meridianbluecycling
Black Magic Women: Instagram @bmwcycling
