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Renvale Racing Team – cannondalespares.com Team launch

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BY: Richard Jones

Published: 3rd March, 2015


On Saturday 21 February the riders of Renvale Racing Team – cannondalespares.com got together for their official launch at Revel Outdoors in Bury St Edmunds. Some of the riders are new to the team so it was a great chance to get to know their new team mates, for others an opportunity to catch up with old friends.
It’s great when a plan comes together and the team bikes arrived just in time. Like kids in a sweet shop we poured over our new toys. 

 
Hmmm so much shininess…but what does this bit do?!

With 10 riders on the team there was a fair amount of fettling to be done to get all the bikes set up. Fortunately, to see us through Hollie and Jo had made flapjack and cupcakes – the cakes were even iced green to ensure full colour coordination! With all the bikes sorted we lined up for team pictures, say smile!


Team Renvale RT – Cannondalespares.com 2015 

With official photo duties taken care of we took to our more natural habitit, the woods! A chance to relax and have some fun. The riding round Thetford, whilst not mountainous is blessed with some amazing singletrack. Put a bunch of competitive riders on brand new bikes…recipe for a burn up. Forutnately no one was seriously hurt!


Follow the leader!

Introducing the riders
So without further ado, here are the motley crew that is Team Renvale RT - cannondalespares.com

Steve James

So, let’s have some background.
My entire background has been the motor racing industry since I was a baby sprog. My father’s business at the time was pretty full on and required very long hours from him. The amount of times I remember being at Lotus F1, or Mclaren or somewhere like that as a 7yr old kid and doing an all- nighter! I used to help him loads so it was inevitable I stayed in that industry, and I love it.

I was born in Norwich and lived locally until 17 when I got a job at the Arrows F1 team in Milton Keynes. I moved there and became the race team telemetry and control systems guy on the data racks. I was the youngest person ever to work full time in F1 and did 2 seasons travelling the world and working my balls off. The whole culture was massive hours fuelled by caffeine and cigarettes, followed by booze in any down time! Following that I became a race engineer working in British touring cars and British F3. It was in F3 that I was race engineer to Ben Collins who went on to become “the Stig”! I moved to America to continue working with Ben in the Indy car series and lived out there for two years followed by another year “commuting” to the US races while also working back in the UK at my father’s company that I had started to take over by that point. Work was stressy to say the least and I endured a few years of tough financial juggling sorting a top heavy 100+ staff business that was losing money.

Fast forward to 2006 and I met my now wife Joanna who hated my smoking! I gave up finally in March 2007 which coincided on going on a MTB holiday with some of my best mates who had been into it for a while. Whilst I was especially bad going up hills, I was immediately non-too shabby on other stuff and I got the bug straight away. Later that year I did my first NPS race at Coed Y brenin (masters) and the following year I won my first big race which was a Thetford 4hr winter series in November 2008. Then in March 2009 I got my first NPS podium, being outsprinted for the win by Matt Barrett!! A good season in 2009 and 2010 followed before moving up to Elite in 2011 and taking several Elite regional wins, including the eastern series and 11th at the National champs. Been ticking over ever since!!

Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
Several actually!! Winning the East and South East Cyclo-Cross champs down in Dover in my first CX season was quite a high. Others include winning the 2009 Bontrager 24/12 pairs with my buddy Vince Kamp, but a great one is winning the Brighton big dog for 3 years in a row with team mate Simon Ernest! Probably my strongest ride was to finish 19th in elite in a field of over 100 elite riders and 1600 total at a UCI Cat 1 XC race in Holland in 2011. Never before have I ever experienced a race that fast. 20mph average off road!


Oi, no riding on the footpath! The boss, Steve, smashing it on his SuperX CX1

Do you have a reputation in the team?
Probably that I fiddle with my bikes a lot and always use kit that’s not off the shelf and a bit custom!!

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
I’ve just finished a full year of XC racing immediately followed by a long and pretty tough CX season so right now its rest time! My focus is on CX and some XC and XC team races.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
Baby number 2 arriving at the end of March means that the XC racing will be very limited. But, my hope is to make a return in July for the 24/12 in which we aim to win a couple of categories and then the Brighton big dog in August when we hope to make it 4 in a row! I will fit a select few regional XC races in just to get some elite points but my focus will be building up from May onwards all geared toward improving on my first CX season in which I finished 2nd in the Eastern series with 7 wins, E & SE Champion and ranked 17th in the UK senior rankings.

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What are your first impressions?
I went for a Scalpel which coming straight off a CX bike felt like riding a lovely comfortable sofa! I went for one because no F-Si’s were left but I hope to get my grubby mitts one of those before long! The Scalpel is such a sorted bike, especially on rough courses and it just rails the bends! It’s hard to describe but Cannondale’s have a unique DNA which I think is down to the design ethos and the integration. It just means that whether I’m on my Super 6, my SuperX CX bike or a Scalpel or F-Si, they just feel completely right, straight off. The first time I rode a Cannondale I knew I wouldn’t be happy using anything else, so to gear the team around that. The support of Revel Outdoors and Cannondale has been superb.


Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
The Wiggle 6 in 2009 always sticks in my mind. I was doing pairs with my buddy Vince and he arrived 40 minutes before the start and then it dawned on him that he'd left his whole kit bag on the pavement outside his house in London! So we then had to try and get a whole set of kit together for him - helmet, shoes, kit, everything! That race started with a 1.5km run and he made the start right at the back, but being an exceptional runner he smashed his way through and came into transition with a 30s lead! We then managed one lap each battling the lead until a lapped rider fell right in front of Vince on a descent wiping him out completely with him ending up with the medics! One of those days.

Tim Dunford

Hi Tim, so tell us about yourself.
Right, well I live in mountain bike mecca that is Southampton. I started biking by just going out riding in the woods around Winchester with mates, we’d just go and smash trails and time each other on downhills! I’ve been racing since 1994, my first race was at the Land of Nod with some mates from school. Think I was around 17th in the youth race.

Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
Hmmm, definitely winning Kielder 100 in 2012. It was the biggest endurance race in the UK, the one everyone wanted to win. There was a really strong field, I felt great, but this almost went against me as I got a bit carried away, tried to ride off alone with 60 miles to go and almost blew myself to bits! In the end it was just me and Giles Drake left and I got a gap with 10 miles to go. Then my rear tyre got a puncture, but didn’t go completely flat. I only had a small gap so ended up riding the last 8 miles or so with a very soft tyre on a rather expensive Enve carbon rim!

Do you have a reputation in the team?
The young ‘uns don’t understand my tendency to get up super early and squeeze in 3 hours riding before work, they’ll understand when they have kiddies!

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
A bit of everything. For the first half of the year I’m mainly doing cross-country, then from around June onwards more of a marathon bias.


Putting the 2015 F-Si through its paces, seems quite fast to me!

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
I’ve qualified to race the World Marathon Champs in June in the Dolomites, so I’m really looking forward to that. Things normally go horribly wrong when I try and peak, so I’m just looking at being at a good level all year and enjoying my racing.

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What are your first impressions?
Actually, I’ve had my Cannondale Flash FSi hardtail for a while now! Ner ner! Love it, the changes to the geometry are great, especially the shorter headtube. And today I picked up my full suspension Scalpel too, wow, it’s a rocket! Looking forward to using it at some endurance events, think it would fly at Roc d’Azur!

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
Quite some years ago I was camping near Alpe d’huez with my now wife. I’d heard of this loop called the Marmotte and decided to ride it that morning. We didn’t have any cooking equipment or food so I just had an energy bar before heading off. I noted it was around 100 miles so declared I’d be back in 5 hours, 20mph should be doable…So after, a couple of cols with just a couple of bottles of water I blew up rather spectacularly half way up the Galibier..it wasn’t pretty. Suffice to say I didn’t make it back in 5 hours!

Rich Jones

Hi Rich, so tell us about yourself.
I have ridden BMX since the age of 14 but it wasn’t till I started working in a local cycle shop that I got into Mountain Biking. The first year or so was miserable as I was fat and slow but things slowly improved and at the age of 17 – 18 I began to take things a little more seriously. My first race was a Thetford Winter Series, I was way out of my comfort zone but thankfully my Marin snapped in half after 25 minutes so I retired to the comfort of the burger van.

You, fat?! Don’t believe it! Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
There’s been a few. 13th at Round 1 NPS last year when there was plenty of tough competition was really good. Get rid of the foreigners and it placed me in 8th. 9th at Kielder 100 back in the last year it ran off the back of no real specific training or preparation. Last year I just missed the win in the last round of the Midlands XC series but it was great to finally feel on form. Last year I took the Friday Night Summer Series Senior series win. If you don’t live in Northampton then you won’t understand the importance!

Do you have a reputation in the team?
Er, don’t think so, probably most likely to hand out Clif bars?!

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
It’s specifically XC this year with a few team 12 and 24 hour events and the odd local road race.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
I think if I target an event I get too nervous. I don’t deal with nervous very well so I try not to target anything specific and instead look for an all-round ok year. I am really looking forward to seeing what the Builth NPS course has to offer. 24/12 is always one of my favourite event weekends and my local Friday Night Summer series often provides way more entertainment than the normal pint and a punch that Northampton Fridays has to offer!

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What are your first impressions?
I have got an FSi hardtail. Well what can I say…I’m shocked…almost speechless. Where do I start…the fork. The fork is amazing it’s so supple it’s unreal, I have never ridden a fork that is so smooth. The bike is a fantastic fit and feels remarkably nimble and well it weighs 19 pounds! The bikes basically stock but I have added my faithful Fizik Tundra saddle, ESI grips and a Schwalbe Rocket Ron up front to provide a little more grip.

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
I spent 4 weeks over Christmas riding in South Africa with my partner, Hollie. There were so many memorable experiences but one of the funniest was riding alongside an ostrich for the best part of a mile. Those things are stupid and they just don’t have the mental capacity to run in another direction. Check the Renvale RT Facebook page for the GoPro video.

Simon Ernest

So, Si let’s have some background.
Hi I’m Simon Ernest. 38 (this year) and currently reside in Reading. I started riding when I was a youthful 15 and rode the first ever Cheddar Challenge (1989?), it was a mud bath but I seemed to have enjoyed it as I’m still riding now. I messed around in downhill, BMX and road racing before sticking with to MTB XC racing.

Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
So much to choose from, in no particular order, twice Student XC champion (2004 and 2005), 2nd at inaugural Kielder 100, 2012 Masters National Champion (35-39 category), 2010 Silver medal Maters National Championships (30-35).


Si, letting it all hang out…shortly before having a near miss with arbor maximus (tree!)

Do you have a reputation in the team?
Apparently my reputation is for being late and grumpy. Not sure I agree but you have to go with what you’ve been told.

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
Having just ridden the 4hr race at Thetford, I can categorically say I am not racing marathons. Aiming for XC and team events this year plus a foray into CX, especially the Three Peaks CX race.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
Steve and myself have won the Brighton Big Dog pairs race three times running now so I think this is top priority. Bontrager 24hr is also on the hit list having won the team event last year. On a personal note, I would love to get a result in the Three Peaks race, though just completing it is an achievement.

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What are your first impressions?
I switched back to full suspension this year, riding the Cannondale Scalpel Team. After only two rides, I’m in love with it. It’s going to be hard to give it back.

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
Arriving at a race in Scotland to discover I had left my shoes at home in Reading. A quick run round the car park and a pair was borrowed, two sizes too small, but they worked. I managed to do the same at a national race at Margam as well. Hmm, the lesson is to make a list before you pack and tick things off as they go in the box.

Hollie Bettles
Hi Hollie, so tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Hollie, based in the flat county of Northamptonshire. I’ve been going to races for around 12 years supporting my dad, but began racing myself in 2007 where I finished my first race, one of the FNSS! 



Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
I’m particularly pleased with my season last year in general. There were lots of highs but most of all I was really pleased to win the British National MTB expert series.

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
I will mainly focus on XC this year but I won’t be opposed to the odd marathon race.

Do you have a reputation in the team?
I’m probably the one most likely to turn up with cakes, flapjacks or cookies to slow down all these fast boys, so I can keep up!

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
This year is all about finding my feet as it will be my first year in Elite. I’m starting at the back so I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Having said this it would be nice to keep the title for FNSS again this year, it’s always such a good series!!

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What are your first impressions?
I went for the hardtail which was a fab decision. We have made a few changes to mine to make it fit as I’m only little! It fits perfect and rides like a dream! 2015 is going to be lots of fun.

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
Hmmm….In South Africa over Christmas, on possibly the best trail I’ve ever ridden I was chased by baboons….Needless to say, I don’t think I’ve ever ridden single track so quick in my life. I soon caught back up to Richard Jones and rode straight past him.

Matt Dennis
So, let’s have some background.
Right well, I’m from Stoke. Been riding well, a long time. My first event was the Swinnerton Cycles MTB race at Trentham Gardens.

Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
Master series and championship winner.

Do you have a reputation in the team? Most likely to crash, puncture, forget your shoes?
Can moan for England… normally at the little things.

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
I’ve pretty much had two years off racing, so I’m trying to drag myself back into it. In 2015 I’m planning on doing a couple of team events building to the CX season.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
MTB to me is all about the banter, so I’m looking forward to all the events my team mates will be at.

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What did you go for HT or fully and what are your first impressions?
Hardtail… It’s the way forward! After riding 26ers for more years than I can remember, the latest generation of 29er have really hit the spot, lower front end, more responsive steering and super light, this bike is awesome !

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
mmmm…. After driving to Scotland to do one of the rounds of the national series, in a rush to get to the start line I locked the keys to my wife’s car in the boot. As you could imagine my darling wife wasn’t impressed and to make it worse there was no phone reception so getting to AA out to the car wasn’t fun. Sorry Gemmy!

Ian Mockett
Hi Ian, so, let’s have some background.
Well I’m, from Thetford, I started riding mountain bikes when I was 14 around Thetford forest with my dad and the Thetford MTB Racing team. My first event was Thetford MTB Dusk till'Dawn with a rag tag group of dirt jumpers, free riders and XC whippets, nothing like jumping in at the deep end of racing with a 12hour race at night in the dark and no shelter. Far flung from the heated team gazebo set up we have now.

Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
Most recent result to be proud of was last year racing with Si, Will, Richard and myself at the Bontrager 24 /12 in the 24hr category and wining! It was a hard race with only the four if us but we all pulled through and proud of Will smashing his first 24hour race.

Do you have a reputation in the team?
Hopefully my reputation is a good one! But I'm sure I'll be heckled fur wearing baggy shorts a lot this season.

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
I will be competing in the Gravity Enduro scene thus year making a switch from XC, I will probably do a few local XC rounds of the MSG series for some fun.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
I’m really looking forward to the UK Gravity Enduro series thus year and also the first ever UK gravity enduro National Champs

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What did you go for HT or fully and what are your first impressions?
The bike hasn't arrived yet but I rode the F29 last year and it flew!

Oops, sorry to be rub it in!

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
Probably the last time I did mountain mayhem (2011 I think!) on the first lap, finished the run with George Budd (then riding for salsa) it was looking to be a wet race so he had his supper skinny black mud sharks on and has a flat so smashed a CO2 canister into his rear tyre inflating it, he then jumps on the bike overtaking us all again until he hits the cattle grid and the tyre flys off the rim in an enormous bang! Covering me in Stan’s latex fluid and deafening me for the rest of the lap!

Will Cheaney

Hi Will, so tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, well I’m Will Cheaney, 18 years old, from a really small village in Derbyshire. I’m currently studying for my Digital Media in Film and Editing Foundation Degree at Stafford University whilst also working for GSP Media Ltd. Just preparing for a trip to Qatar for a Kawasaki GP shoot as we speak! I started riding from a very early age, including Motorbike Trials , riding round the National Forest and in the garden. Competed in first Midlands Regional XC Race in 2009 aged 13, and came third. That was it then, I was hooked.
Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
I came first in the 2010 National Champs at Pippingford, winning the title of 2010 Juvenile National Champion, then going on to ride in Youth Category for British Cycling in Graz Austria.
Wow, that must have been amazing. So do you have a reputation in the team?
Yep!! I can't keep two wheels on the ground - always popping wheelies.


Young gun, Will Cheaney railing it round the berms

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
Mainly XC - hoping to get as many in as I can manage - unfortunately a lot of my media work takes me away at weekends, so most races will be last minute for this year. Luckily living in the midlands gives me excellent access to quite a few different regional events I can get to at short notice.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
Any events I can attend really - just looking forward to riding my new first year category as under 23 Expert.

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What did you go for HT or fully and what are your first impressions?
Hard tail - AWESOME!!! And have to say a HUGE thank you to our Team Manager Steve, for making all this possible.

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
2009 first race at Cannock, placed third. I had old shorts on, a fox t-shirt a p-pot helmet, a rucksack with a full toolkit on my back and my mobile phone in my pocket. When I came across the finish line my dad (who was at home ) was trying to phone me to see how I'd done. My phone was ringing with the William Tell Overture....... so embarrassing!
Also, competing in my first 24 hr at Plymouth Bontrager TwentyFour12 2014, finishing first in the 4 man team Renvale RT, and, not realising who he was, I popped a wheelie in front of Keith Bontrager as I crossed the line!

James Hyde

Hi James, so, let’s have some background.
My Name is James Hyde and I’m from Kettering in the undulating flatlands of Northamptonshire. I've been riding for as long as I can remember, with a few regional titles from back in the days of Juvenile and Youth, and had a few top 5 National finishes in my Youth and Junior days. But in my second year as a Junior I had a lot of long term illness and so I’ve been working my way back after a year away from racing and training and just putting the time in to get where I want to be - winning and being the best I can be. 

Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
I just really enjoy being competitive, as much as racing is all about winning having a good race with your mates, pushing each of you to breaking point whether it’s racing or even training, but some races that really stand out are Winning Dusk ‘til Dawn for the past 4 years in a row as a team with some of my best mates, and also Winning Strathpuffer 24hour last year with my team of 4 and taking the lap record, that was really quite something. 2014 was a very enjoyable year for taking a few Podiums at National level as well in the Expert level pushing towards getting my Elite license.
Not bad! 

Do you have a reputation in the team? 


James “are my socks long enough” Hyde in full flight

I haven’t built much of a reputation with my awesome new team yet, but I’m the guy who’s most likely to forget his cycling shoes, but will always remember his Oakleys - got to get the priorities right! 

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
For 2015, as it’s my first year Elite, XCO mountain biking is my main focus for the year and I really want to become a recognised national Elite rider and then can push on from there for the year following. I’d also like to get a few good results on the Road aboard my new Cannondale road bike.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
One Word - National XC Championships! I shall be happy with top 4 but deep down as my last year of Under 23, unfortunately down to how my birthday falls, I would love a podium aboard my FSi super bike!

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What did you go for HT or fully and what are your first impressions?
In all seriousness, my first ride off-road I was a little bit speechless. It really just ticked every box that I was missing in my GT Zaskar that I’ve been on like, forever. Just the slacker angles I think will really help technically when the exhaustion kicks in, but also does certainly not hinder the climbing ability by any means!

Shaun Aldous

So, let’s have some background Shaun.
Well, I live in Bungay on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. I started riding in 1989 when Lemond won the Tour by 8 seconds. My first race was a school 5 mile time trial on the bypass.

Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
Tricky as I've been around a while, pleased I've been one of the top riders in the region at whatever cycling discipline I've focused on be it TT's, road, cyclocross or mtb, think 5 times consecutive Eastern senior cyclocross champion gets it.

Do you have a reputation in the team?
No reputation yet as far as I'm aware, new to the team in 2015.

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
Mainly just cyclocross for me.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
Early National Trophy cyclocross races, I'm at my best when it's dry fast and preferably hilly. Targeting the National Cross Champs.

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What are your first impressions?
I’m only doing cross, so haven’t got a new mountain bike. I’ve not got my cross bike yet but was very jealous of my teammates and theirs.

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
We used to live near a pub, coming back from a steady cycle ride with my wife, we pulled up outside our gate, new to clipless pedals she failed to unclip, realising she was about to topple over she shouted "I'm going to crash" so everyone in the pubs beer garden turned round to watch and cheer.


Richard Bettaney

So, let’s have some background Richard.
I live in Gravesend in Kent and I started riding in 2008. Initially in Masters in XC and then moved up to vets when I hit 40. I have been friends with team boss Steve for several years and was part of the team when it first formed at the end of 2012. In 2013 I decided to switch to racing on the road (on a Super6 Evo) but following two crashes and some pins in my hand I’m returning to the (usually) softer landings of XC!

Any particular result or achievement that you’re particularly pleased with?
Team races are always a great and we have done a few over the years – that something I’m looking forward to again for the team spirit. Getting on the podium in the 2013 Bontrager 24/12 was a great achievement but also my first road win was pretty special.

Do you have a reputation in the team?
I’m seen as being very considered!

What type of events are you doing in 2015?
XC in Vets – mainly Eastern, Southern and National series races. I race in Vets now which seems to be the most popular category in terms of numbers.

Are there any events you’re particularly targeting or looking forward to this year?
We have a really popular and well run Eastern series which is always great to race in but there is something special about lining up at a National and knowing you are up against the best there is. My plan is to get my head back into XC over the next couple of months and be in good form for the National Champs in July. Nowhere to hide in that field!

You’ve just had your first ride on your new team bike. What are your first impressions?
I was quite a late edition to the team so my new F-Si has not yet arrived. That said I’m currently using an Alloy F29 to train and race on which really is an outstanding bike for the money. Even in the lower end models, the way everything integrates on the Cannondale’s makes them feel so well sorted. I can’t wait to get the F-Si but in the two races I’ve had since returning I’ve had a 5th and a 4th on this bike so I’m growing quite fond of it!

Right, finally tell us an amusing cycling experience or mishap you’ve had.
Well an annoying mishap that springs to mind is at taking 11hrs to travel down to a National XC race in 2013 in Cornwall only for me to puncture 5 minutes into the race. I’m usually pretty reserved but there was much swearing after that…. An amusing (or fairly stupid) one that springs to mind was buying 10 days of lift passed on the first day of an Alps trip and then riding 45 minute descents on a 100mm XC bike. I got arm pump so bad I couldn’t ride the next day and didn’t get a great deal of value from my lift passes for the following week!

The important bit

Well that’s all of the team introduced, phew!

A team of this size takes some serious organising. So first and foremost we are really, really grateful for the support from Steve James at Renvale. Steve may blush, but he is one of the hardest working and most generous guys in the sport and we’re all really grateful for his support this year.

It was great to meet everyone at Revel Outdoors, they certainly know their bikes! Sorry to get in your way on what was clearly a very busy Saturday. Revel will be helping keeping our bikes race ready and in tip top condition throughout the year.

Thanks also to Cycling Sports Group for supporting us with the amazing Cannondale team bikes. Although we’re sponsored by them, they are for many of us, our bike of choice. Packed with genuine innovation they certainly won’t slow us down and are already getting plenty of attention.

Pactimo are kitting us out this year with some great team wear. The winter skinsuit is soooo comfy and warm, I’ve been training in it for some months now. I’m sure it adds a few miles per hour to my intervals! Sadly, the summer kit hasn’t seen a lot of use yet…can’t wait for the temperature to rise, the summer skinsuit looks fast standing still!

We will certainly be sitting comfortably this year, thanks to the support from Extra UK, we will be perched on Fizik saddles. Again, kind of convenient as they are the go to choice for most of us!

No bike would go far without a set of pedals, so thanks to Extra UK again for supporting the team with the Crank Bros range of pedals. Not only do they look really cool, but they’re super light and after a full winter of much grimness have proved really reliable.

Finally, us bike riders have been known to get the munchies, so it’s a good job the lovely people at Clif Bar have got behind the team. Again, it’s always nice to be sponsored by a brand you were buying already. Made with real, wholesome ingredients, Clif Bar has a strong focus on sustainability and impact on the environment, something we strongly identify with. The Shotbloks are particular favourites here at team Renvale, put them down Steve!

So that’s us. We’re spread from all over the UK and there’s an, ahem, small age gap between some of us, but we’re all brought together by a love of riding our bikes. In 2015 we’re looking forward to racing all over the UK and beyond, whilst having some great adventures along the way. Hope to see you out on the trails! 


                                                             





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