On Friday the 24th of January Team Milton Keynes held their annual dinner and awards ceremony. Around 150 athletes from cycling, triathlon, duathlon and Team Keyne Trek youth development squad with team sponsors gathered to celebrate both individual and team successes throughout the 2002 season.

Several young riders have progressed through the Team Keyne Trek youth development squad with Bob Varney management and guidance. Adam Illingworth won the best young rider award on the evening and is now set to ride in the Team Milton Keynes U23 squad with fellow Team Keyne rider Martin Quill.

James Flanagan another product of Team Keyne recorded a number of outstanding performances especially the 5th place in the tour of the peaks won the senior road race award.

Team Milton Keynes cycling squad for the 2003 has been expanded through improved sponsorship but mostly through a progressive development policy that the club has adopted.

From Team Keyne TREK the young riders are provided and encourage to enjoy the sport, with the backing of several qualified coaches and enthusiastic parents. The riders will then have the opportunity to move up to the U23 squad prior to joining the senior ranks.

In 2003 there is a mix of youth, experience and hard working category 2 and 3 riders within the team in order to maximise the potential that exists. The core of Team Milton Keynes U23 squad is made up of riders from the Milton Keynes and surrounding area.

Team Captain for the cycle squad will be Roy Chamberlain who has extensive knowledge of the sport and the road race circuit. Roy has been riding for Sigma for the last couple of years but sees riding for his home team now as a great opportunity to help the younger generation. Roy is currently coaching Adam Illingworth and along with team manager Jeff Hathaway planning out the 2003 season. Roy was a GB rider in the 80’s and in 89/90 rode for UC St Etienne. In 2002 Roy was 7th in the Five Valleys, 18th in the Nationals and 19th overall in the Premier Calendar and fastest GB rider in the Etape.

There will be a number of team based goals along with each of the riders in the 13 man squad having individual goals. Roy himself no doubt will be focused on some of the premier calendar events.

Another local rider joining Roy from Sigma is Aaron McCaffary, joining the new breed of young riders and your local team will have motivated Aaron who I am sure will be looking to prove a point. Aaron has been in the top 5 rankings and 10th in the National road race championships. On the International front Aaron finished 3rd in the Tour of Malta and as won silver in the European Masters road race championships.

Karl Freeman is currently enjoying some warmer weather out in Spain and will ride only a number of selected races in the Team Milton Keynes colours as he will be riding for a French based team. Karl had a successful 2002 season racing in Belgium.

James Flanagan with a mixed season in 2002 James later months proved to is the best with a super 5th place in the tour of the peaks and winning the U23 Wally Gimber stage race. James has great ability as demonstrated in the tour of peaks, with Roy on board to advice and assist the 2003 season for James could be very rewarding. James was Team Milton Keynes top rider in the club in 2002.

Martin Freeman competes on the Road and Track. He had 3 wins at Hillingdon and won the Leaminton Spa Crit. Other significant results in 2002 included 2nd National Derny Champs, 5th Madison National Championships and 3rd Stage in Tour of the North. Martin spent considerable time competing in Belgium and then headed to Manchester where he is now based.

Martin Quill was 2nd in the Isle of Mann Mannin Veg RR last year and won several kermesses. Along with Adam Mansfield they helped MKCC to 4th in the Club of the week. Martin was 40th in the UCI Tour de L,Aviner. IN 2001 he won the Points jersey in Junior Tour of Wales and was 2nd on stage Junior Tour of Ireland & 16 overall

Adam Illigworth was the Number 1 ranked Junior and won the Peter Buckley series, which included winning the Junior Tour of the Peaks. He was 2nd overall in the International Junior Tour of Wales. Adam had European successes last year and represented GB at the Worlds in Belgium. To gain international selection he rode the tough U23 series and finished 5th overall. Recently Adam was awarded the 2002 Milton Keynes Cyclist of the Year award.

Dan Corley had a late start to the season due to studies but gained many top 10 placings and had some wins. In 2003 he will be progressing from the B squad to the A Squad.

Simon Henley is new to the squad and will be in his first year at U23 level. Simon had 4 wins last year including Junior Archer, Jack Grainger Support race, Junior Willisden road race and the Zipp Fit road race.

In 2003 there will be 6 A stream U23 riders supported by 3 elite riders Roy Chamberlain, Aaron McCaffrey and Karl Freeman. In addition to these riders there will be B stream U23 riders including William Smyth and Adam Mansfield. Team Milton Keynes also felt that the inclusion of cat 1 and some cat 2 riders would also benefit the team and the progress of the younger riders. So backing up the team will be Ian Marshall, Simon Cannings and Shaun Tamblin.

In addition to the U23 championships and the premier calendar events several riders from the team will ride in overseas in France and Belgium.

The team is backed by the significant sponsorship deals that have been secured and nurtured over the last two years. The team sponsors include Phil Corley Cycles, Trek, Siemens, and Personal Group of Companies, Abbeygate Developments, Body Limits, and Formaserve. All companies operate within Milton Keynes. In addition to the club sponsors Panaracer and Maxim will continue with their relationship with the team.

� British Cycling 2002/2003

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