In Gear Cyclesport of Uckfield are setting up a new development squad for 2007 and are looking for local youth and junior riders who would like to be part of a professionally run setup next year. The aims are to take ambitious and commited local riders and help them reach their potential as individuals and racing cyclists. The riders will be coached and trained on how to operate as a team member and a serious athlete both on and off the bike.

The squad will be run and managed by Alan Denman and Clive Copeland who have extensive experience of assisting young riders with their racing and training. They will be assisted by a top local coach and other top local riders.

Commenting on the plan, Alan said: “Clive and I took a composite five man junior squad to the Junior tour of Wales last year with the help of the Surrey league as a dummy run. This proved very successful. We wanted to setup a squad like this as there is an apparent lack of development opportunities for youngsters in this area of the South East. We met with Pete Roberts at In Gear who is extremely keen to help and support youngsters and with his kind help it is now possible. We would like to see it become the best development squad in the country.”

The squad will be linked to the In-gear senior squad who has amongst its riders Sean Yates and Michael Hutchinson. The seniors will be only too happy to pass on their experience to the youngsters.

To start with they will have just a youth and junior section with the hope that they will have riders coming through in one to two seasons to form an under 23 section.

There will of course be some benefits, but above all we are looking for riders who are mainly interested in improving themselves as competitors and as young ambassadors for the sport.

So if you’re interested please send your details to [email protected] or [email protected]