Pictured left to right are: Jon Crookes, Carl Dyson, Ben Jeeves, David Palmer, Phil Liggett, Rod Freeman, Scott Choucino, Mike Cowland and Jon Buxton (absent on the day Harvey Levann)

East Midlands-based Champneys Springs Health Resort recently hosted the launch of the 2008 www.cyclingbargains.com racing team. The team were also honoured by special guests – cycling commentator and former President of the CTC Phil Liggett and celebrity cartoonist Bill Tidy MBE.

The team’s new signings are National Clarion Champion Mike Cowland from Kettering, who was the highest placed 2nd category rider in the Eastern Region in 2007. Mike is joined by ex Junior National Champion Carl Dyson from Leicestershire, another 2nd category rider. Together with David Palmer they complete the 2nd category line up who aim this year to ride a number of Premier Calendar events.

The team also contains two under-23 riders from Leicestershire. Scott Choucino and Ben Jeeves both gained a number of top 10 places in races as juniors. They join 4 other Leicestershire riders to make up the 9 man squad. The team is supported by local internet retailer Cycling Bargains Ltd, Northampton based renewable energy company Infinis Ltd, Spanish cycle helmet manufacturer Catlike and Nuneaton based printers Mainline Print Ltd.