Rob Partridge: Edura Team news and reports

Rob Partridge and his new team launch at Silverstone

The "scene is set" as Endura Racing 2010 is unveiled at Silverstone

20100204_endura_RobPartridge Endura Racing 2010 was today finally unveiled to the UK press, media and special guests at the Porsche Human Performance centre, Silverstone.

Welsh Road Champion, Rob Patridge (pictured right) looks set to have a great season ahead of him with his new team Endura Racing. After a strong season last year, Rob looks set to build on his perfomances with the help of such a strong team to support him.

The launch followed months of hard work and dedication from the whole of the Endura Racing set-up, and culminated with many of the attendees leaving with a sense that this team are on the cusp of a great season in 2010.

"The scene is set now", said a clearly excited team captain, Rob Hayles. "Today¡¯s nerves quickly turned to confidence and pride as the morning went on. It has been a perfect send-off for the guys as we now embark on our race programme ¨C it really is up to us now!

We are all looking forward to getting out there and riding. We have the Tour of Mediterranean in early Feb, and then the whole of the squad convene in Nice on the 15th of Feb for our first full training camp", said the three-time Olympian, and went on to say, "To date everything has been perfect, from the product, sponsors and clothing to rider selection, and to be joined by Alexandre (Blain) today makes it extra special".

A former ProTour rider with Cofidis, 28 year-old Blain is a continental rider whose pedigree extends to podium rides in races such as the Etoile de Besseges, and his arrival heralds yet another statement of intent from this ambitious team.

Blain was just one of the surprise announcements on a day that saw the team announce a key partnership with the Porsche Human Performance Centre at Silverstone. The PHPC, headed-up by Andy Blow, will provide rider physiological testing and support over the season and will be the bedrock of performance measurement as the riders progress through their season of domestic and continental racing.

The day started with MC Anthony McCrossan introducing the Endura brand and Endura Racing history, to a backdrop of SRAM equipped LOOK race and TT bikes. Endura director Jim McFarlane then addressed the audience expressing his ¡®pride¡¯ at what had been assembled in the impressive Porsche centre¡¯s foyet.

Speaking after the event McFarlane said, "Today is the first hurdle to getting to where we want to be with this team. I truly believe that we are ahead of where we thought we would be at this point ¨C in terms of riders, sponsors and team cohesiveness."

Prior to the team riders being unveiled the Endura Racing promo film was shown to the crowd gathered, a video-diary of visits to the Endura offices, team sponsors Fisher Outdoor Leisure (LOOK, SRAM, MET and Tacx) and the house of Rob Hayles, for an insight into his thoughts and expectations for 2010.

The launch finale saw the team riders being introduced and interviewed, followed by team photos with riders, guests and sponsors. (Rob Partridge being introduced, below)

20100204_endura_RobPartridge_02

"The emphasis now shifts to the riders and the team management", added McFarlane, and concluded "Rob (Hayles), Garry Beckett and his team will now take over the reins and take us to the race ¨C the arena that this whole project is intended for. I¡¯m very happy, I¡¯m relieved and most of all I am excited to see where we can get to in 2010".

Full Endura Racing information including 2010 team race schedule, rider profiles, team participation and sponsor profiles are now online at www.enduraracing.com

Follow the team on Twitter www.twitter.com/enduraracing

Endura Racing 2010 sponsors line-up

LOOK ¨C frames, pedals and components www.lookcycle.com

SRAM ¨C groupsets www.sram.com

MET ¨C helmets www.met-helmets.com

Tacx ¨C ergo trainers www.tacx.com

Fizik ¨C Saddles www.fizik.com

Continental ¨C tyres www.conti-tyres.co.uk

DS Wealth www.dswealth.co.uk

sleepathlete www.sleepathlete.com

Science-in-Sport www.scienceinsport.com

Porsche Human Performance Centre www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/human-performance-center