The launch of the Pearl Izumi/PlanetX/High5 Racing Team was held at the weekend in Derby. In the Conference rooms on the Premises of Smith of Derby, who are the world’s leading clock makers.

Team Director Cherie Pridham and Team Manager Eddie White introduced their young squad against a background of team sponsors and their products. Also in attendance was Mike Jenner, the head mechanic from Planet X, who was on hand with his apprentice to fine tune the riders’ new bikes.

Pearl Izumi/PlanetX/High5 Racing is a young team, with all of its riders under 23. Retained from last year will be the team sprinter, Jon Mozley, who is also the under 23 National Circuit Race Series Winner. Liam Holohan is one of the best young climbers in the country. Steven Adams won 5 races last year and finished 3rd overall in the National CX series. Matt Jones has two National Time Trial medals from last year and will be in his first full year as a senior rider.

New additions to the squad will include Raphael “Raph” Deinhart, who at 21 is the oldest rider in the team and a very strong climber with 4 wins last year and first year senior Ashley Finn, who rode very impressive in the National Junior Series last year and who also took wins in senior races. “Ash” is the baby of the team at 18 and stands 6ft 5ins.

George Atkins is one of the best young riders in the country. With numerous wins on road and track, he last year became the Olympic Youth Road Race Champion, a title he won in Serbia.

The team will be wearing the complete range of PEARL IZUMI clothing and footwear products including race and leisure wear.

They will be riding PLANET X Superlight Pro Carbon Race bikes in various colours and fitted with Shimano Dura-Ace groupsets and Fizik saddles.

High 5 will be looking after all their nutritional needs.

Ultimate Pursuits are supplying the team with Shimano components, Giro helmets and DT Swiss products along with the Elite turbo trainers that the team will be seen warming up on before races.

Continental Tyres are also giving their full support package. The team will be riding Continental Attack and Force clincher tyres and will also be seen wearing the “must have” Conti retro jackets.

Adidas Eyewear will supply Supernova race glasses.