Former professional cyclist Jonny Bellis has been confirmed as lead sports director of the only British UCI Women’s team.

Drops, which included both Anna Christian and Lizzie Holden in its line-up this year, recently announced that it would be continuing on the professional circuit despite the withdrawal of title sponsor Trek and a likely replacement sponsor.

But team manager and owner, Bob Varney, confirmed that he will not be in a position to pay riders unless a sponsor is found.

’We are very sad and very embarrassed to say we will not be paying riders next year unless we get additional funding,’ he told Cycling Weekly.

’It wasn’t a decision that we took lightly, it was something we did in communication with our riders, it was a collective decision. We wouldn’t have been able to run the team with salaries.’

Whilst actively seeking additional funding, he said that the team’s riders will get paid if funding is secured, adding that they will get a good race programme, first class equipment and full expenses.

After the late withdrawal of a replacement sponsor, a crowd funding campaign raised awareness and some funds but no substantial investment.

A number of the team’s riders and back-room staff have moved on because of the uncertainty, opening the door for Bellis.

Now aged 30, Jonny never fully recovered from a motor scooter crash in Quarrata, Italy in September 2009 that shattered his skull and resulted in him being in an induced coma for four weeks.

He made a remarkable recovery, and even returned to the professional ranks, but was never able to get back to the old form that had seen him represent Great Britain in the Beijing Olympics and become the first British rider to medal in the under-23 world road championships in 2007, finishing third.

He retired from racing precisely three years ago and switched to coaching, later appointed as a coach at Lee Valley Park in London.

’I like the ethos of the Drops team,’ he said. ’They create a relaxed atmosphere. I know some of the riders and can see how much they value the team. I can see how great it is, so I’m excited to be part of it.’

A product of British Cycling’s Olympic Academy, similar to close friend Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh, Bellis has ridden under some of the best managers and directeurs sportif in the world with teams like Saxo Bank.

’I know how things work and ways to get the best out of riders and I know how they feel because I’ve been there myself,’ he added.

’Being a director is always where I’ve wanted to be. I miss the whole team thing and being at bike races, so to have this opportunity with Drops is really great.’

The 10 riders in the Drops team have yet to be named, but it is thought that Manx women Christian and Holden will again be among them.

Earlier this year, Jonny Bellis was coach for the Guernsey cycling team at the Commonwealth Games, which generally out-performed the Isle of Man team in the road events.