Rapha Condor Sharp’s new direction for 2012
| Rapha Condor and Sharp – the no.1 ranked British Continental team will build on its most successful season since its 2006 inception with an exciting new direction in 2012.
In 2011 Rapha Condor Sharp riders took major U.C.I wins in Africa, Asia and Europe, as well as dominating the British domestic scene- where the team won over half of the 8 rounds on the way to a dominant overall win in the Halfords Tour Series, and a second National Criterium title. These crowning achievements were the culmination of sustained investment over the last five years by team owners Rapha and Condor, as well as, over the last two years, major sponsorship from Sharp and ŠKODA UK. This ambitious merger of sponsors and management has seen the Rapha Condor Sharp team develop from a group of talented amateurs to become the UK's number one ranked Continental team over each of the last three years. |
| Rapha Condor Sharp have determined for the level of the sport to rise even further still a commitment is required to young riders racing at ‘grass roots’ levels on British shores. These riders require the support that team structures such as Rapha Condor Sharp will be able to offer in 2012.
The team’s number one ambition will be to develop and nurture talent so that the best young UK riders move up through the ranks to the best teams in the world. This will be achieved by providing race programs, as well as the best in coaching, equipment and management along with close working relationships with Professional Continental and World Tour teams. Simon Mottram, C.E.O of Rapha, is clearly enthused about the team’s new direction “We firmly believe that the Rapha Condor Sharp team can make more of a contribution to UK racing by taking a different approach, with a different ambition”. The riders for 2012 have been carefully selected to make sure the new recruits will join right alongside some of the team’s most prolific winners over recent years. The blend of proven race winners and raw talent will be an exciting and refreshing mixture that proves the team’s departure from the squad that has managed to sustain a very similar line-up over the past three years. In 2012, London’s all-important Olympic year, the team will retain Olympic team members Andrew Tennant and Ed Clancy MBE, Gold Medallist at the Beijing Games. The team will also continue to gain experience from former National Champion Kristian House, as well as the longest serving member of the team Dean Downing. James McCallum an integral link in the 2011 criterium squad also stays. All of these riders bring a wealth of influence and experience to the team, and will play an active role in mentoring the six domestic U23riders who have been added to the team. The full line up of the 2012 Rapha Condor Sharp team is: Ed Clancy, Mike Cuming, Dean Downing, Felix English, Ben Grenda, Richard Handley, Kristian House, Christopher Jennings, Tim Kennaugh, Richard Lang, James McCallum, Luke Mellor, Oliver Rossi, Andy Tennant For more information on Rapha Condor Sharp, please visit http://www.raphacondor.cc/home |
Team Raleigh
Team Raleigh-GAC has an ambitious plan to take the team back to where they belong amongst Europe’s elite teams. Now into its 3rd year the squad already has an international flavour with riders from the UK, USA, Canada, Holland and Australia.
Being a UK team the race calendar targets the Premier Calendar, Tour Series and Elite circuit races with forays into Europe, North America and Asia to compete in International stage races benefiting Raleigh globally
Mark Gouldthorp, Managing Director of Raleigh UK, said: "We have high hopes for Team Raleigh-GAC and the future is shaping up in a very positive way. It’s great to be affiliated with a brand such as ŠKODA who share our passion for cycling and we’d like to take this opportunity to give our thanks for their much-appreciated and continued support."
For more information on Team Raleigh, please visit http://www.teamraleigh.co.uk
Article source: www.skoda.co.uk