Team News: Pedal Heaven RT – Don’t be surprised by our progress

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Pedal Heaven Racing Team DS Tim Elverson says to fans don’t be surprised with the team’s impressive start as they continue to progress year on year

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Team News: Pedal Heaven RT – Don’t be surprised by our progress

TEAM PRESS RELEASE

Cycling fans should not be surprised with Pedal Heaven’s impressive start to the current campaign. That is the message from directeur sportif Tim Elverson, who has seen his team kick on since their promotion to UCI Continental status.

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The Hampshire-based outfit are already dominating the British Cycling domestic team rankings as they bid to defend the crown they won last season. And they have made a flying start to the Motorpoint Spring Cup, with Dexter Gardias finishing third while Ian Wilkinson scooped the sprints prize.

Round two takes place this Sunday on the Isle of Man. And it would be no surprise to see the Pedal Heaven squad, who sit second behind NFTO in the team standings, go well again.

DS Tim Elverson insists their success is simply a case of progression, something he and team owner Craig Peter have strived to achieve from day one. He said: “Last year was a fantastic year. Last year was what made people say “blimey, look at Pedal Heaven” because we were on the TV and in the Tour Series etc”.

“But for me, last year was a 15 to 20 per cent progression from the year before. The year before was just the same and we have carried that into this season. We have kept progressing and we have worked hard each winter to do that. So it has been no real shock or surprise for us”.

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“People are saying we have to move on this season and we can’t be the same. Well, we have never been the same over the past five years because we have always worked to move on and improve. The step up should be no concern. We have worked damn hard to make it happen and that is just how it is. We have started well and hopefully it will all come good again.”

Pedal Heaven’s current budget has not allowed them to compete on the continent at the beginning of the season, like rivals such as JLT Condor, Madison Genesis and Raleigh. And that has meant they have often been the only UCI outfit turning up in numbers for some of the early domestic skirmishes. But while some may think it makes their job easier, it can often cause a few additional headaches when laying down race tactics.

Elverson added: “Take the Jock Wadley. Last year you had NFTO, ONE Pro and Madison all turning up with big squads. But for whatever reasons, none of them did it this year. It is much easier when there are more UCI teams because then we are all attacking and people can’t just mark us. But when you are in an 11-man group with just one UCI team, no-one wants to do anything. They all just want to mark us”.

“Now that’s just how it is, which is fine. But it does mean we literally have to be twice as strong to get away, while the others get a bit of a free ride. At the moment our budget doesn’t allow us to go further afield. There will be some intention going forward but, that said, there are some good races at the start of the year in the UK and you can learn a lot from them.”

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