Organisers of the Halfords Tour Series today unveiled the ten teams that will compete in this year's city centre-based event in May and June.
Motorpoint will look at defending their title in the team-based event, while Endura and Rapha Condor - Sharp look to climb onto the top-step of the podium for the first time after narrowly missing out in 2010.
Having finished third in the National Points Series last year, taking 55 wins along the way, Wilier-GoSelfDrive.com are selected to ride for the first time.
As predicted by Cycling Weekly earlier this month, Twenty3c - Orbea and Team UK Youth will also compete in the series, which has become a popular competition for both riders and sponsors alike, thanks in part to the television coverage on ITV4.
However, organisers received just thirteen applications, down on the numbers for 2009 and 2010, possibly due to the gruelling nature - and cost - to compete in the five-week event.
The three unsuccessful teams, Felt - Colbournes, Corley Cycles and Team Herbalife Wheelbase, have been invited to ride a week of the 2011 series, and will take in two rounds as the organisers offer them a chance to aid their future development and sponsorship awareness.
Series director Mick Bennett said: "We would like to thank all the teams who applied to enter the Series for the time and effort put into their presentations.
"It was a very close and hard decision as to who the final ten teams should be; hence our decision that we should give the three unsuccessful teams the opportunity to still be a part of the Halfords Tour Series.
"Ultimately though we have chosen the ten teams which we believe will be the strongest and best represented in 2011 and have every confidence that they will put on a close and action packed display of racing across the Series," he added.
The locations of the ten-round series are due to be announced before the end of March, with the first race taking place on May 17.
Tour Series 2011 teams
CyclePremier.com - Metaltek
Endura Racing
Motorpoint Pro Cycling
Pendragon - Le Col - Colnago
Rapha Condor - Sharp
Sigma Sport - Specialized
Team Raleigh
Team UK Youth
Twenty3c - Orbea
Wilier - GoSelfDrive.com
Related links
Motorpoint seals 2010 Tour Series win
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