Tom Faiers signs for ProTour squad Footon-Servetto

Britain's Tom Faiers will be racing with Spanish team  Footon-Servetto in 2010. Based in Spain, the  former tri-athlete has turned pro after making his own way up through the amateur ranks.

Born in Cheltenham, the 22-year-old Faiers moved to Spain after taking part in a Graham Baxter-run training camp near Murcia in 2006.

Local riders of the calibre of Luis Leon Sanchez and Alejandro Valverde recognised his talent and Faiers decided to stay on to see if he could make a go of amateur racing.

After six months travelling to races in Spain under his own steam, Faiers first raced for a Madrid-based amateur club, Fuenlabrada, then moved on to the Camargo squad, based in Santander, in 2008. In 2009 he won three races and had his best year to date and was talent spotted by Footon manager Joxean Fernandez Maxtin.

"People have barely heard of me in the UK because I've not done a single day's racing there," Faiers told Cycling Weekly.

"But when I came out here and riders like Sanchez saw what I could do, staying with them on the climbs, they encouraged me to make a go of it, and I have."

"It's all come through very quickly, the deal was only signed a couple of weeks ago."

Faiers first full meeting with Footon-Servetto will be at a team get-together at the end of November.