With an all black kit devoid of sponsors, Continental Team Illuminate is on first appearances one of the more mysterious teams in the peloton. A race programme that has included Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Rwanda, Colombia, Romania and Azerbaïdjan in 2018 further evidence of a team that beats to its own drum. Pulling the strings of Illuminate is Chris Johnson who explained to Cyclingnews his focus is having fun and providing opportunities. In 2017, Johnson added a women`s team to the project, and in 2018 is planning on a programme that will include events both his squads can simultaneously attend. `From the start, my goal has been to put a group of athletes together that are not only going to be able to race but also have fun,` Johnson told Cyclingnews from San Francisco. `You can tell we are having a really good time, but it also shows in our racing. That is a critical thing I try to do when putting the teams together.`ADVERTISEMENT While having fun, the team also enjoyed several UCI wins, the majority via Colombian Edwin Avila, to prove Johnson`s approach also provides results and not just good times. Developing from a primarily US centric team, including the signing of Chris Horner in 2015, this season was for Johnson another year of experimentation. `The team is about showing how the bicycle can bring individuals, communities and cultures together. When we have the opportunity to go and race in another country, we usually jump on it,` he said. `This year we had the opportunity to compete in some races we have in the past but also some new places. Once you start travelling and doing those sorts of races, the riders adjust and it helps motivate them. Doing a different schedule and races I think helps the riders stay motivated and set goals throughout the year.` Keeping the rosters small for both the men and women`s squads is key, ensuring no riders are left on the sidelines as Johnson explains. Making history at the Tour of Rwanda
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