International flavour for Rapha's race programme

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE MEN IN BLACK

The strengthened Rapha Condor Sharp team will have an international flavour to its racing programme with races as far as Singapore and New York on the agenda.

New signings have come in the form of Graham Briggs and Zak Dempster amongst others.

The team was aiming to start the year with the Tour de Vaucluse but the race has been cancelled. "We've applied for the Ruta del Sol, but I'm not sure if we'll get into that one," explained team manager, John Herety.

"If we don't get into the Ruta del Sol, we'll head to Singapore to do a criterium there with House, Tom Southam, Darren Lapthorne, and Zak Dempster."

The team will return to the UK for the Jock Wadley, whilst the other half of the team will race the Tour of Taiwan.

"Then it's the Classique Loire Atlantique in France followed by the Tour of Normandy whilst the other half does the Tour of the Reservoir," Herety added.

"Then it's the Circuit des Ardennes and the Tour of the Battenkil, a one-day race in New York where we'll send eight or nine riders. From there, we'll split between the Tour of Britanny and the East Midlands Classic."

Added to a possible start in the Tour of Japan and appearances at the Ras as well as the Premier Calendar and the Tour Series - pending invite - the team is hoping to step up a level in 2010.

Extra investment has come in the shape of a new partnership with Sharp and Herety adds that a move up to ProContinental status is being considered.

2010 line-up: Graham Briggs, Dan Craven, Matt Cronshaw, Zak Dempster, Dean Downing, Ben Greenwood, Kristian House, Darren Lapthorne, Chris Newton, Tom Southam, Jonathan Tiernan Locke, Dean Windsor  

Rapha Condor milking the applause in last year's Tour Series

AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIDE WITH LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO

Former England rugby captain, Lawrence Dallaglio, will ride 2800 kilometres in February, visiting each of the Six Nations stadia en route, aiming to raise £1 million for the Dallaglio Foundation and Sport Relief.

Leukaemia Research is offering four cyclists to join Dallaglio on the fourth stage of the challenge; 439 kilometres from Twickenham to Fishguard via the Millennium Stadium between February 28 and March 4.

To take part, interested parties need to raise £3000 for Leukaemia Research; all food and accommodation will donated during the trip.

To take part or to find out more, see www.bikeathonbritain.co.uk/en/1/babothdal.html  

SW ACADEMY REVEALS RIDER LINE-UP

Team qoroz, the South West Bike Academy's racing team, has revealed its line-up for the upcoming year.

The team acquitted itself well last year, racing at the top level domestically and scooping 28 top-ten results.

From 2009, Ben Stockdale, Josh Yetman, Luke Dunbar and Matt Ulmer all remain and will be joined by Hugh Wilson and Tom Stockdale.

"We have an extremely well-balanced race team," explained team manager, David Walters.

"Each individual rider has a great deal of ability, so as a well-drilled unit we will be very strong. We'll work hard, race harder and have a great deal of fun along the way".

The team will tackle a programme of Premier Calendar races, National B and an extended race schedule in France.

HAITI CHARITY CYCLING APPEAL

The charity CARE International is running two events this year to help raise funds for the organisation's work, especially in Haiti following the country's devastating earthquake.

The charity will sponsor the London to Brighton and the London to Paris on April 10 and July 1-4 respectively.

See www.carechallenge.org.uk/cycle or call 02079349470 for more details.

MORE THAN 2000 ENTRIES FOR CHESHIRE CAT

More than 2000 people have entered thus far for the Cheshire Cat sportive on Sunday March 28.

The ride, which includes distance options of 100, 67 and 45 miles, takes in some of Cheshire most picturesque countryside.

Entries are fast approaching closure. See www.kilotogo.com to register.

OVER 100 ENTERED ALREADY FOR ICEBREAKER OMNIUM SERIES

Entries are now open for the second round of the Welsh Cycling Icebreaker Series at Newport Velodrome.

The three-race series, designed for Youth ABC riders, runs over a three month period from January until the end of March.

The series attracts a strong line-up of riders with Talent Team members Robbie Westwood, Amy Roberts and Sarah Cowley having taken part in the first round.

Entry is £7 per event. Contact Michael Heaven on 01633670540 or michael.heaven@welshcycling.co.uk

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES FOR ROAD RAGE ATTACK

Neil Fairbrother is appealing for witnesses after a road rage incident involving himself and a motorist in Henley-upon-Thames.

The incident took place on Bell Street on Sunday January 24. Police are looking for the motorist involved - believed to have been driving a silver Audi A4 or A6 - who landed several blows to Mr. Fairbrother's head during the attack. 

Several other cyclists were also at the scene and are asked to come forward should they have any information in identifying the attacker. 

Anybody with any information should contact neil@pod3.tv

TRACK TRAINING WEEKEND WITH DAVID LE GRYS

Those looking to brush up on their track skills should look no further than the track endurance training weekend at Newport Velodrome with David Le Grys and Lee Povey on March 13-14.

The weekend is aimed at improving observation skills, bunch positioning, sprint finishing and tactical awareness in riders wishing to ride scratch, elimination and points races across a range of standards from B and C cat track league riders to National Championship competitors.

David and Lee will give detailed video feedback on the optimal tactics for a broad range of race situations and riders will be grouped on ability/current fitness so every standard will be catered for.

Numbers are strictly limited so interested parties should contact: info@fasttrackcoaching.biz or phone David Le Grys on 07930 648469 or Lee Povey on 07967 000269.