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2011 Launch for Team Herbalife Wheelbase

Story posted March 1 | by Ian McVety

Team Herbalife Wheelbase held their launch party last weekend at the stunning Ashton Memorial in the grounds of Williamson’s Park overlooking Lancaster and the Lakeland fells beyond. Eurosport’s Mike Smith presided over affairs, and as ever he gave the riders a grilling over their individual ambitions for the year and picked up on one or two anecdotes giving a humorous and informative introduction to the audience.

 
Above: Andrew Hawdon and British Eurosport’s Mike Smith
 
For the riders new to the team, it was a chance to meet all the sponsors and staff for the first time under one magnificently designed roof and to help build upon relations with new team mates. This year Director Sportifs Geoff Newcombe and Neil Taylor have expanded the squad, drafting in some new riders to help in the Premier Calendar races and to give further depth to the team from last year.

Alastair Kay has joined the team from York Cycleworks and Simon Baxter and Ian Taylor, both based in the North-East have joined the team, and both of whom have placed well in Premier Calendars in the past. Simon has a lot of experience of the Belgian kermesse scene which he hopes to use to his advantage.

Also joining the team this year is Jack Cutsforth and Andrew Coupe who was the 2009 CDNW Elite Series winner. As well as their youth and junior riders, Team Herbalife Wheelbase have been joined by 2010 National Hill Climb Champion and holder of the 2008 National BBAR, Lyn Hamel who will be targeting specific time trials this year and also aiming to excel in some of the women’s National road race series.

Martyn Farmer from Herbalife addressed the audience and talked about his enthusiasm for the team, his ambitions in 2011 and how Herbalife products were an integral part in furthering the aims of the team. This year the team will be riding Cannondale HiMod Super 6 SRAM Red bikes with Mavic wheels and Bontrager tyres, supplied by Wheelbase.co.uk based in the Lake District and Wheelbase director Toby Dalton explained how he and the business were enjoying this successful collaboration with the team and taking it further in 2011.

 
Above: Cannondale HiMod Super 6 SRAM Red bikes ready to race

The team have retained last years sponsors Onimpex UK Ltd, run by Ken Jones who supplies the team’s fantastic BioRacer team kit and Signs Express of Lancaster fronted by Thomas Somers who will be providing all the team’s sublimation for kit and cars. New to the team this year is CyClaim a cyclist injury claims specialist.

With the expansion of the team, it has allowed the squad to race in more races this year and provides some resilience throughout the long season. Next week the team will be travelling northwards to compete in the Gifford Road Race, part of the Scottish Sup6r Six race series; as well as journeying south to the 39th Severn Bridge – Felt Road Race.

 
Above: Team Herbalife Wheelbase 2011

Good luck in 2011, Follow the team at www.hblwheelbase.co.uk