News: New Look Line up for Team Raleigh

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The line-up for Team Raleigh 2014 has been revealed during the day and it’s a new look for the iconic British brand

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As revealed earlier today, the team sees one of the most successful riders in 2013, Yanto Barker join the team after his previous team UK Youth folded in October.

So whilst Raleigh have lost Kiwi Tom Scully, to what we understand will be Madison Genesis, the double round winner at the Tour Series will be replaced on another who did that in 2013 and who has the advantage of having been part of such a winning formula at UK Youth.

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Ian Wilkinson winning the CiCLE Classic in 2013. He’ll be in Raleigh colours in 2014.

Another from that Tour Series winning squad, Ian Wilkinson, who is currently training in Majorca, joins as well. The Barnoldswick rider had a great year, winning some races like the CiCLE Classic as well as getting in breaks in the Tour of Britain. Wilkinson is one of the most versatile riders in the country, winner of crits and Premier Calendar events and capable of riding at the highest level as he showed in the Tour of Britain.

Premier Calendar winner Evan Oliphant is one of only three riders from the 2013 Raleigh line up who are retained for 2014. His DS at Raleigh says “Evan is a solid dependable team rider, who given his chance – will win”. It will be a big year for Oliphant with the Commonwealth Games in his home country of Scotland and so having a solid team to provide big races prior to that will be a big plus.

Mark Christian (below), 22, of the Isle of Man is another of the squad who has been retained. The former GB Academy rider, who will also have the Games as a target, showed some great form in 2013 and the team will be looking to him to build on that in 2014.

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The third rider to be retained by manager Cherie Pridham, is Frenchman Alex Blain. The former winner of the CiCLE Classic is joined by two other French riders whilst another, Eric Berthou was said to be moving to a DS role with the team back at the Cycle Show in October.

Morgan Kneisky is one of the two new French signings and he’s been a multi World Champion on the track, winning the Madison World title in 2013 and so say the team, a massive signing with the Tour Series having his name all over it. Matthieu Boulo is the other new French signing. A rider who can time trial but is also a dab hand in cyclo-cross! Raleigh have a new range of cyclo-cross bikes.

Another interesting signing is that of Joe Perrett. Winner of this years Ryedale Grand Prix as well as some major time trials, the Essex youngster has a huge engine and will be a valuable asset to the team. As will George Atkins, winner of the Stockton GP crit solo who has British titles to his name and will be looking to step up and become one of the country’s top pros. George won the Elite Circuit Series this year.

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The final name is Liam Stones who has four wins to his name in National B events this season as well as strong rides in some of the rounds of the Tour Series.

The line-up is of ten riders, less than previous years and that may well be due to them bolstering their support staff, something we hope to find out soon. The addition of the French riders also signals a possible interest from a French sponsor or perhaps the French arm of Raleigh and whilst a strong British programme will be key to the team, racing in France should also figure high on their agenda.

More on this developing story later.

Team Raleigh for 2014: Yanto Barker, Ian Wilkinson, Joe Perrett, Evan Oliphant, Mark Christian, Alex Blain, George Atkins, Morgan Kneisky, Liam Stones & Matthieu Boulo

 

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