TEAM WEBSITE: www.teamendurasport.com

With the season approaching, things are starting to gather momentum. The team launch is only a little over a week to go, and following that, some of the riders will be getting their first taste of action in the classic season opener, the Perfs Pedal in Hampshire. After that all of the team will then travel down to Italy for a two week training camp.

Following this the riders will be racing early season events including the Tour of the Riviera in Italy and one-day events in Switzerland. The team has been invited to ride in the Tours of Japan, Lombardia, Normandy, d�Abruzzo and Slovenia. Later in the season the team will race regularly in Germany, France and Belgium and hopes to ride in America. The �home team� will be tackling National series British Premier and Under 23 races.

Stephen Gallagher from County Armagh in Northern Ireland, has just signed for Team Endurasport.com, a new British professional cycle racing team. Stephen represented Northern Ireland in the 2002 Commonwealth games and is also a member of the Irish Olympic squad. He has three years of experience as an elite amateur rider in France and is aiming to race in both domestic and European races. Stephen tells us that his phone has not stopped ringing since the announcement!

The team, backed by main sponsors Endura Clothing and RBS Principia, has also set up a unique supporters club to help it on its way. The team�s unique supporters club is helping to cover the riders� living and racing expenses. For an annual subscription (details on the website) members receive a replica team jersey, a �2 donation to Cancer Research and exclusive access to member's only areas on the team�s website. This I notice has diaries from Chris Tonge about his training and so on and makes interesting reading.

Celebrity members include Champion National Hunt Jockey Tony McCoy and former Tour of France and Channel 4 TV presenter Australian Allan Peiper. Tony McCoy commented that cycling and horse racing are similar: �Both need self-discipline, determination and sacrifice�. He added: �I wish the team every success and will be following your progress with interest�.

Long time professional in Europe, Harry Lodge says �Our team aims to offer young British riders the chance to race on the continent and experience life as a cycling professional. 60% of the team are under 25 and are supported with some strong and experienced pros. We will be based in Varese, near Milan and will compete regularly throughout Europe and further afield. There will also be a small team based in the UK to compete in the major British races�.

General Manager Richard Parsons added that: �Ultimately our dream is to build and develop a professional British registered team capable of competing at the very top level of professional cycling�.

THE TEAM
Team Captain Chris Tonge (British) has been a professional for 3 years with RDM-Flanders in Belgium.

Jan Richter (German): formerly road racing with RDM-Flanders team is one of the top specialist motor paced track riders.

Lee Vertongen (New Zealand): a highly talented rider who specializes on the track and in time trials has represented New Zealand at the last two Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

John Ibbotson (British): a talented climber who rode for RDM-Flanders in 2002 and was National U23 series runner up in1999.

Alex Coutts (British): talented 19 year old Scotsman who won the 2001 National Junior Road Race Series and raced in the Netherlands and France in 2002.

Daniel Lloyd (British): rode for the French team Olympique Chamalieres in 2002 and represented Great Britain in the World Under 23 Road race Championships.

Neil Coleman (British): double National U23 Time Trial Champion who will be targeting the U23 National Series and the Premier Calendar series.

Stephen Gallagher (Northern Ireland), represented Northern Ireland in the 2002 Commonwealth games and is a member of the Irish Olympic squad has three years experience as an elite amateur in France.

Andrew Parsons (British): former Amore E Vita rider and Runner-up in the Under 23 Road Racing Series 2001.

Greg Sandy (British): experienced time trialist and road rider, who won 34 races last year.

Sponsors:

Endura are providing cycling kit and RBS Principia will be providing their top of the range Rx Pro bikes for the team. Tekno-Fuel will be providing energy food, drinks and bottles, Jim Walker Ltd will be providing helmets and glasses. Reflex Move, the Salisbury based international removal company, will enter their 7th year of cycle racing sponsorship. New to cycle racing sponsorship are CMS Bath (Project Managers and Architects from Wiltshire) and the Alkemi Group who, as well as sponsoring the team, will host the official team launch at their headquarters, Hartham Park near Corsham on 7th February. BML Printing of Romsey, Hampshire are providing printed materials for the team. Foot-Logic will be supplying superfeet custom-made footbeds and socks. Forth Conservatories continue their sponsorship of Chris Tonge.

� British Cycling 2002/2003

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