News: Metaltek Kuota Back on the Road

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After trying to take a step back from racing, Andy Swain has re-entered the UK road cycling arena with a new team, Metaltek-Kuota

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News: Metaltek Kuota Back on the Road

After vowing to concentrate on his business and home life for 2016, Team Manager Andy Swain has re-entered the UK road cycling arena following the collapse of the outfit he left behind in September, Sportgrub Cycling Team.

After it emerged the team wouldn’t be able to compete and a lot of good riders were left in limbo, Swain, after talks with family, riders and suppliers, decided to run an ultra-lean set up concentrating on the tougher Road Races such as the British Cycling Elite Series and specific UCI events such as the Rutland-Melton CiCle Classic and The Beaumont Trophy.

With just six riders, the team hope to be competitive at the sharp-end of races and cause the odd upset to the form book.

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Dan Fleeman, now in his third season alongside Swain, will yet again be Captain on the road, imparting his wealth of knowledge and experience to the others on the squad. Having had a long career both home and abroad on such teams as An Post & Cervelo Test Team, Dan still only 33, feels podium positions are well within his grasp.

Seventh at last year’s Ryedale GP is a testament to this despite being outnumbered by the larger UCI teams. Also remaining with Swain are two of Fleemans’ Dig Deep coached athletes Adam Kenway and Army Captain, Ryan Perry – who both made their Premier Calendar debut’s last year and were always in the wheat once the chaff had been separated.

After a good winter, both are hoping to show the new colours with a major result. Thomas Traviss-Pollard is also on the up ladder of his career. Very new to cycling (2015 was his first actual racing season) Tom placed a magnificent 16th in perhaps the toughest Premier event, the Ryedale GP. For the flatter faster finishes, Zach May returns from a year with NFTO to work back alongside Swain.

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Historically known for his circuit racing and track attributes, May looks to expand his repertoire by concentrating on the Road, confident of a big result which will help him progress his cycling career further. Both May and Traviss-Pollard are Under 23, so the Team are well represented in this category regardless of the terrain.

The sixth and final member of the Team is strongman Tom Bustard. Last Year Tom rode for Giordana but due to illness couldn’t repeat his previous year’s results which saw him win prestigious races like the Roy Thame Memorial.

As anyone who knows Tom, ‘banter’ is the first thing packed in his kit bag so morale and laughs will always be present in this fresh new set up.

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Zach May & Dan Fleeman on the attack in the 2014 National Road Race Championship

Once again, Kuota will be providing the bikes, with the flagship ‘Khan’ being kitted out with the riders’ choice of Shimano Dura Ace or Ultegra Di2. Top notch carbon wheels come courtesy of Swiss brand EDCO shod with every racing cyclists’ favourite rubber, Continental.

HIGH5 provide nutrition and hydration and Fenwicks offer bike cleaning and lubrication. GSG Clothing will again provide the striking technical apparel. Witham Garage in Melton Mowbray will be looking after the vehicle requirements of the Team.

Riders
Tom Bustard
Dan Fleeman
Adam Kenway
Zach May
Ryan Perry
Thomas Traviss-Pollard

Team Manager: Andy Swain Mechanic: Bob (Rooster) Rouse

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The 2016 kit will hopefully look similar to this after a couple of logo updates and the approval of British Cycling.

Andy Swain says: “after hearing about the demise of my old team, I obviously wanted to help salvage something to allow some of the lads to race, especially a few that had become friends. But as I’d got used to the idea of not being so full on and wanted to put more time into Metaltek, it needed to be something smaller and more specific.

My wife Emma, actually told me I wouldn’t be able to stay away and so conversations were then had with suppliers who were equally keen to help get something on the road, without the likes of Dave Williams at DHW (home of Kuota and GSG), Shelley at Cambrian (Continental & Edco Wheels), Graham at Witham and Raph & James at HIGH5 I doubt I’d have the enthusiasm!”

Social Media
Facebook : www.facebook.com/MetaltekKuota Twitter : @Metaltek_KUOTA

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