KINESIS SQUAD EXPANDS FOR 2009
It is all change at Kinesis next season as seven new riders come in to form an expanded eight-man squad, including two Canadians.
The small-budget team ? to be known as KUK Kinesis ? impressed many in 2008 and featured in most Premier Calendar races mixing it with the big-name squads. Highlights included Kit Gilham wearing the pink King of the Mountains jersey at the eight-day FBD Insurance Ras in Ireland and Tom Last finishing second in the under-23 category at the Tour Of Serbia.
Last also managed one of the comedy moments of the year at the Chas Messenger two-day, raising his arms in celebration approaching the line on the final stage, only for Russell Downing to nip through and take the win.
Four of Kinesis? top riders move on to new teams, with Matt Cronshaw going to Rapha-Condor, James Sampson to CandiTV-Pinarello and both Kit Gilham and Tom Last signing for Sigma Sport.
Team manager Chris Truett remains upbeat for the upcoming season despite the losses. ?We have lost most our riders to pro teams, but this has been a good thing for them and the team has moved on,? he said. ?It?s disappointing for me as manager that we couldn?t keep them, or have them grow with the team, but we simply couldn?t afford to keep hold of the riders because of our limited budget.?
Kinesis has already received invites for the Ras and Tour of Serbia. Truett met Canadians Alex Bhogal and Vincent Veilleux at last year?s the Tour of Tobago after the bankruptcy of Zoom Airlines left the riders stranded in the UK and Truett on the island with no team to manage, so he volunteered for team car driving duties with the Canadians.
KUK Kinesis riders 2009
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Steve Lampier
Matthew Kipling
James Stewart
Rab Wardell
James Moss
Jack Pullar
Alex Bhogal
Vincent Veilleux.
PREMIER CALENDAR 2008
2008 Premier Calendar index
PREMIER CALENDAR 2008: CYCLING WEEKLY'S COVERAGE
Click on the links to find our more about each race.
RICHMOND GP
Report: Downing takes his seventh Premier Calendar of the year
Preview
TOUR OF PENDLE
Report: Hayles takes Tour of Pendle
Preview
EAST YORKSHIRE CLASSIC
Report: Russell Downing yet again
Preview
TOUR OF BLACKPOOL
Report: Russell Downing wins again
Preview
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROAD RACE
Report: Hayles is the national champion
News: Gossip from the National Champs
Preview: Who's going to win?
Preview: Ask the textperts
Preview: The riders' verdicts
Cycling Weekly Classic: From the Archives, Robert Millar's Island Magic 1995
The Big Preview
British National Championships roll of honour
GP OF WALES
Report: Russell Downing wins in Wales
Preview
BEAUMONT TROPHY
Report: Hayles wins his first of the season
Preview
LINCOLN GP
Analysis: Battle of the Brothers
Analysis: Should they rename Michaelgate Downing Street?
Report: Russell Downing wins
Preview
CHAS MESSENGER
Analysis: Battle of the Brothers
Report day two: Russell Downing wins
Report day one
Preview
EAST MIDLANDS CICLE CLASSIC
How the Irish pulled off a coup
Reaction and analysis
Report: Ciaran Power wins
Preview
TOUR OF THE RESERVOIR
Analysis: Battle of the Brothers
Report: Russell Downing wins Tour of the Reservoir
Preview
GIRVAN
Analysis: Battle of the Brothers
Report: Russell Downing wins the Girvan overall
Report: Partridge wins stage three
Report: Downing makes it two in a row
Report: Russell Downing wins stage one
Preview: Can Oliphant end 21 years of hurt?
BIKELINE
Analysis
Report: Dean Downing wins overall
Report: Oliphant takes stage two
Report: Wilkinson wins stage one time trial
Preview
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.