Two of Britain's leading roadrace teams are joining forces to create a new superteam.
RaphaCondor and Recycling.co.uk are to merge for the 2008 season, forging a team which will include some of the strongest UK-based riders.
RaphaCondorRecycling.co.uk is a team designed both to win on the road and to support the upsurge in popular interest in cycling for sport, leisure and enjoyment.
With interest in cycling in the UK now booming - helped by the huge success of last summer's Grand Depart of the Tour de France in London - RaphaCondorRecycling.co.uk will also be at the heart of a range of events and initiatives designed to bring elite road racing back to fans and ordinary cyclists.
For 2008, these events will include an expansion of RaphaCondor's successful Smithfield Nocturne with races for commuters, couriers and young riders, cyclosportive and challenge rides and training camps and other events.
Team History
In 2006, performance road cycle-wear firm Rapha linked up with one of the best-known names in British cycling, Condor Cycles - which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2008 - to launch the RaphaCondor racing squad. Over the last two seasons it has scored many wins in its classic black, white and pink strip, gaining respect for the way the team raced along the way.
Recycling.co.uk has been one of the UK's strongest road race teams over the last four years, guided by widely-respected former Continental professional John Herety, who will be Directeur Sportif of the new team.
Said Herety: “After working for many years with Team GB and for the past two seasons with the successful Recycling.co.uk team, I am looking forward to working with Rapha and Condor. Having met Dominique and his colleagues during the course of the season their professionalism, competitiveness as well as their easy-going, honest and open nature makes the alliance feel good.”
Simon Mottram of Rapha said: “We are flattered that a DS of John Herety's stature has agreed to join the team. Working with the successful Recycling.co.uk set up, I'm excited that we can achieve even more success in 2008 and beyond.”
Recycling.co.uk's Charlie Jackson said: “As one of the country's leading race teams over the past four years, we are pleased to be associated with the superb Rapha and Condor brands. The recycling.co.uk team is synonymous with success, winning and, of course, excellence. As a team we have won almost all of the major UK events and competitions and have a race proven international pedigree.
“In 2007 we concentrated on developing young riders in their first senior year. This proved very successful and we are pleased to say that the class of 2007 should graduate to be winners in 2008. With the Rapha Condor brands and the marketing expertise of Dominique Gabellini, we are looking forward to working towards new and even higher standards of participation, promotion and excellence within this fantastic sport and pastime.”
Grant Young of Condor Cycles said: “We've been involved in cycle sport for 60 years, from pro teams to world champions, and sponsorship has always been a part of that. We've had great success over the past two years, and now we want to take the team to a new level. It's not just the racing team side of it, but it's about bringing in a new type of cyclist who is passionate about their cycling and enjoys riding his or her bike.”
Launched in 2004, Rapha has built a reputation for high-quality and stylish cycle clothing, including performance roadwear; it also publishes Rouleur, a beautifully produced journal dedicated to road-racing.
Condor Cycles, the landmark London bike shop which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2008, is the exclusive Rapha distributor in central London.
Preston-based Recycling.co.uk is a pioneer and early adopter of many modern recycling techniques.
www.rapha.cc |
www.condorcycles.com |
www.recycling.co.uk
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