News: Andy Leigh Starts Senior Career in Belgium

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Junior rider from the North West, Andy Leigh, is the first ‘graduate’ from Velocity WD-40 to head abroad

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The next generation of Olympic cyclists are starting to emerge from a team that was set up to produce the new Sir Bradley Wiggins or Sir Chris Hoy, including Urmston’s Andy Leigh. In early 2011, Velocity was launched with significant support from WD-40 Multi-Use Product who, along with other sponsors, wanted to provide young cyclists with a platform to become professional cyclists and Olympic gold medallists of the future.

The team, named Velocity WD-40, is now reaping the rewards 2014 with Andy securing a place to ride in Belgium for the 2014 season. Andy will race for the Terra Footwear Bicycle Line team and is the first ‘graduate’ from Velocity WD-40.

“I’m very excited at the prospects for 2014 and taking my cycling career to the next level,” said 18-year-old Andy. “Watching British riders succeed in professional cycling gives me great confidence, incentive and motivation to pursue my dream. I want to turn my dream into a reality one day and turn professional riding alongside my idols, ride the Grand Tours and the one-day classic races, but I am under no illusion that getting to the top will be easy.”

“I can’t wait to get racing and meet my new team mates when I move over to Belgium in March. I have enjoyed my time riding for Velocity WD-40 these past two years. They’ve been a fantastic support to me with all my cycling needs. I have had the privilege to work with great people within the team such as Phil Braybrooke and Andrew Thomas who have given me the grounding to now further my cycling career, together with excellent coaching from Chris Pyatt.”

“I’ve also had the honour to work with fantastic sponsors who have supplied me and the team with the best equipment, WD-40, Bio Racer, USN sports Nutrition, Global Bikes, pOcpac and Pro-lite, and of course not forgetting my team mates who I wish continued success for next year.”

“It’s fantastic to see Andy progressing to this level and pleasing that Velocity WD-40 has played such a key role in them getting there,” said Phil Braybrooke, one of the founders of Velocity WD-40. “Andy thoroughly deserves his place in the Terra Footwear Bicycle Line team and we’re looking forward to seeing how he continues to progress in 2014.

“The Velocity WD-40 team is packed with talent and I’m sure we’ll see more riders progressing like Andy over the next few years. Sponsorship of the team has been vital and it’s fantastic to have WD-40 as our main sponsor along with USN, Global Bike, Pedal Precision, Bio Racer, Star Balm and pOcpac.”

Brand development manager for WD-40 Multi-Use Product, Amy Briggs, said the lubricant specialists were delighted to be seeing riders progressing in line with the ethos of the team. “These are hugely exciting times for cycling in the UK and it’s fantastic for WD-40 to be involved with a team packed with talented young riders with bright futures,” she said.

“To see riders like Andy progress so far in the short time that Velocity WD-40 has been going for, is a testament to the training of the coaches and skill and determination of the riders. We wish Andy all the very best of luck in continuing his development in 2014 and can’t wait to see how many more youngsters follow him from Velocity WD-40.”

A team spokesperson, for Terra Footwear Bicycle Line, said: “We are a very international team so Andy will be joining riders from New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and Britain for 2014. I’m sure he’ll fit in very well and keep the team progressing throughout the season.”

 

 

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