January 20, 2011 – Team Raleigh’s new rider line up and sponsors for the coming season were launched to the public and press at the London Bike Show on Saturday 15th January. Hosting the event was Eurosport commentator Anthony McCrossan, who opened his presentation with a brief history of Raleigh’s prolific cycling past which was significant as only a few hours prior came the news that the famous TI Raleigh manager Peter Post had passed away at the age of 77.

David Moakes Product & Marketing Director for Raleigh UK was introduced on stage by Anthony to give the gathered audience an insight into the team’s plans and ambitions for the future, followed by the riders dressed in their smart leisure clothing sporting the Team Raleigh and Skoda logos, Anthony introduced each rider individually giving a brief bio of their achievements and asking them about the race program and their expectations for the year ahead.

Expanded to 12 riders the new look squad includes 9 new riders from 5 countries an indication of Raleigh’s first steps to an International squad. New UK rider signings include Matt Jones who has returned after 2 years in France with 6 wins, Matt Cronshaw from Rapha nicknamed ‘MC’, Matt Kipling and neo pro Matt Gee. Cronshaw commented ‘Signing for Raleigh has given me so much motivation to move on and gain results for the team, with the motivation hopefully we can take Raleigh and myself onto bigger and better things’.

Representing the US is Phil Mooney who in his own words is a lone win specialist, sprinter Ryan Parnes and adding some fire power is self proclaimed diesel engine Jamie Sparling from Canada. A chance encounter at the Tour of the Pyrennes brought climber Gael LeBellec into the squad and criterium specialist Jeroen Janssen joins from Cherie and Eddie’s Kuota team of 2010. Ryan says ‘I am absolutely thrilled to be here, from what I have seen so far it’s a really impressive peloton. All I want to do for Team Raleigh is win races, no question. We have strong finishers and wicked strong team with a lot of weapons. If I could get across the finish line first that would be great, but I’m willing to turn myself inside out to make sure it’s a Raleigh rider’.

Marketing Manager Geoff Giddings spoke about the sponsors and equipment giving an insight into the new team bike and praising the support from the industry especially equipment suppliers Michelin, Shimano, San Marco, ITM, and Ritchey. MOA Sports are the official clothing supplier and were present at the launch along with representatives from Carnac and the team’s major sponsor Skoda who have supplied top of the range Superb estates for the coming season. The riders will also be using Uvex helmets and glasses and sports nutrition from High 5 all of which are distributed by Raleigh.

2011 Rider Line Up

– Liam Holohan
– Richard Handley
– Dan Fleeman
– Matt Cronshaw
– Matt Kipling
– Gaël Le Bellec
– Matt Jones
– Matt Gee
– Jeroen Janssen
– Ryan Parnes
– Phil Mooney
– Jamie Sparling

Sponsors

– Raleigh
– Skoda
– Moa
– Michelin
– High Five
– Uvex
– Itm
– Selle San Marco
– Rsp
– Motorex
– Shimano
– Ritchey
– Carnac
– Sks
– Kmc
– Unior
– Avenir
– Sigma
– Quad