CUMMINGS ON FORM AFTER MAJORCA TRAINING

Stephen Cummings finished a two-week training camp in Majorca by posting a new personal best, and unofficial British record on a 3.5 kilometre climb the GB squad use for testing.

Cummings has been on the Spanish island since January first, and on his final day rode up the climb from Puerto de Pollença to Atalaya de Albercutx in 7:21 minutes. His time is roughly ten seconds faster than the previous record set by Bradley Wiggins, and allows him substantial bragging rights. The rider from Heswall on the Wirral had done a motor pacing session in the morning but was still able to average 500 watts on the climb.

Cummings returns to the UK on Tuesday (Jan 16) and then heads out to Solvang, California for the Discovery Channel team training camp that he has been told to reach in race fitness.

"He's hitting the numbers and it's looking good for him," British endurance coach Simon Jones, who's with the riders, said. "He's moved another step forward and I think he's good enough to get up there in the races. Hopefully he'll ride one of the major Tours this year."

Cummings is likely to debut for his new ProTour team at the Challenge Majorca in February and is then expected to go in to a heavy classics program.

Cummings will miss the track worlds in Majorca at the end of March as he concentrates on the road this season. The rest of the British team, including Bradley Wiggins, will prepare for the worlds with added impetus this year with a two-week training camp at the Newport track in Wales at the beginning of March.