Tony Gibb headlines new Cycle Premier team

Tony Gibb will headline the new CyclePremier.com/Metaltek team, developed from the Cycling Bargains team that contested the Tour Series last year.

Experienced hand Gibb will be joined by the likes of former Plowman Craven team-mate James Millard and young German talent, Raphael Deinhart.

The team gathered in Leicestershire over the weekend for the second of its pre-season training camps.

"We got together just before Christmas and this time we were able to firm up on the plans we had previously made, to create a full programme of early season races," explained team manager, Rod Freeman.

"The team is a combination of experienced professionals and promising young talent. We were delighted with the success of the Cycling Bargains development team last year and this year we decided to take a step up with a team that could compete for victories and podium places in major UK events, like the Premier Calendar and Elite circuit race series".

The team has a busy start to the year and will debut at the Eddy Soens on March 6.

"We have got a tough early season race schedule," explained Freeman.

"We have the Severn Bridge road race on the day after the Soens. Then we have the Spring Chicken race in Bedfordshire and the Jock Wadley road race in Colchester on the following weekend. James Millard won Jock Wadley last year and the team will be out to help him win again.

"The following weekend we are fielding two teams in the Oxonian 3-up team time trial with the Wally Gimber on the Sunday. Then it is off to the first Premier Calendar event on March 28 at the Tour of the Reservoir".

The team will be riding Basso Astra frames with SRAM Red groupsets.

Team line up: Raphael Deinhart, Ashley Finn, Richard Hepworth, Tony Gibb, Andy Magnier, James Millard, Ben Price, Robert Smail, Jason White, Simon Wilson

Tony Gibb (third from left) will captain the boys in blue this year