British Cycling

LuK Coombes Racing, Team Profile

Founded by Paul Osborne in September 2002, for the 2003 racing season, the rather strange name comes from the attempt to mention both principle sponsors in the team name � thereby getting more press coverage, as the sponsors are not normally mentioned. LuK stands for �springs and clutches� in German � hence the small �u� for und.

Contact Details:
Paul Osborne
07968 181671
Email: paul.osborne@luk-as.co.uk

Sponsors:
LuK Clutches (German, worldwide clutch manufacturer)
Coombes Cycles (Widemarsh St, Hereford)
Sixth Sense Fitness (Folly Lane, Hereford)
Pilgrim Events (Ludlow)

I have managed to agree what I think is a more robust sponsorship deal than most, where the sponsors get a little more out of it than just giving money in return for hoped for publicity: LuK Staff have free gym membership and discount at Coombes Cycles. Gym members have discount at Coombes Cycles. LuK also sponsors the Tour de France devil - he wears an LuK Pendant, with LuK logos on his bikes.

Affiliations:
Cycling Time Trials (CTT)
British Cycling (BC)
Welsh Cycling Association (WCA)

Riders:
Three regular open TT top finishers making a comeback for the 2003 season!
Paul Osborne (Ex Venom CRT, last raced properly in 98)
Cynric Williams
Derek Rogers (Ex Cwmcarn Paragon, last raced 96)
Allan Matthews (Ex Abergavenny RC, last raced in 98)
Dave Rudd
Dave Perks
Brenda Parker
Gabby McDermott
Mark Greenhill (and proprietor of Coombes Cycles)

We are still looking to expand further - I am confident that I can attract further top riders when the team has been racing for a few months � and our team kit has become well known.

Team targets for 2003 include men�s and women�s National and Welsh Championships at 10, 25 and 50 miles, the Rudy Project Time Trial Series, team time trials, road races and open TT�s weekly.

TTT�s will be the mainstay of the early season, and I think a regular target throughout, as we seem to be doing ok at them. Team prizes should not be a problem, with 4 riders capable of top 10 in most opens, and two fairly handy women.

The first few races of the season for the new team have already resulted in top 5 placings overall and category wins. Cynric Williams and Paul Osborne placed 5th out of a full and very competitive field in the Port Talbot Wheelers 25 mile 2up in 54.06. Brenda Parker and Gabby McDermott were first team with a woman in the same event. We then went on to win the Cardiff Ajax 3up 10 last weekend, with PO, CW and Allan Matthews.

Club runs from outside Steels Westgate every Sunday at 9am. 3 � 4 hrs at 20 mph average.

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