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Stronger & Faster; Endura’s Killer Line-up for 2010

Story posted January 29, 2010; by Larry Hickmott

Larry Hickmott reports: "Born in Scotland, ridden round the world" That was the message on the  goodie-filled shoulder bags handed out to guests and media at the launch of the 2010 Team Endura.

See the photo album from the launch (below)

From the moment I walked into the Porsche Driving Experience building at Silverstone, I was impressed with the way the launch for this new look Endura team was being played out. With my photographer hat on, the area for the launch, drenched in natural sunlight from the skylight above it, was superb and the Look bikes added to the picturesque nature of the venue.

And it got better through out the morning as the riders were first introduced to the invited audience and then lined up for the photographs. It was a rider line-up that really caught the eye: it's stronger than many expected and I for one wasn't aware they had just signed a French rider from ProTour squad, Cofidis! they'll need that sort of strength and experience too as the team will be spending a lot of time in well known European Pro races rubbing shoulders with ProTour teams before returning to the UK to race here.

Rider Line-up

Alexandre (Banbane) Blain (France)
Alexander (Sandy) King (England)
Gary (Handinator) Hand (Scotland)
Rob (Robbie) Partridge (Wales)
Callum (Wilkie) Wilkinson (Scotland)
James (Macca) McCallum(Scotland)
Evan (Sloth) Oliphant (Scotland)
David (Disco) Lines (Scotland)
Ross (Creebz) Creber (Scotland)
Scott (Justin) Thwaites (England)
James (Mossy) Moss (England)
Ian (Wilkster) Wilkinson (England)
Jason (Jase the ace) Christie (New Zealand)
Jack (Jack) Bauer (New Zealand)
Rob (Killer) Hayles (England)

Endura Racing 2010 is unveiled at Silverstone
The British professional cycling team, Endura Racing 2010, was today finally unveiled to the UK press, media and special guests at the Porsche Human Performance centre, Silverstone. The launch followed months of hard work and dedication from the whole of the Endura Racing set-up, and culminated with many of the attendees leaving with a sense that this team are on the cusp of a great season in 2010.

“The scene is set now”, said a clearly excited team captain, Rob Hayles. “Today’s nerves quickly turned to confidence and pride as the morning went on. It has been a perfect send-off for the guys as we now embark on our race programme – it really is up to us now!"

"We are all looking forward to getting out there and riding. We have the Tour of Mediterranean in early Feb, and then the whole of the squad convene in Nice on the 15th of Feb for our first full training camp”, said the three-time Olympian, who added, “To date everything has been perfect, from the product, sponsors and clothing to rider selection, and to be joined by Alexandre (Blain) today makes it extra special”.

One of the top riders in 2009, Ian Wilkinson will be looking for bigger and better results in 2010 with a stronger team.

A former ProTour rider with Cofidis, 28 year-old Blain is a continental rider whose pedigree extends to podium rides in races such as the Etoile de Besseges, and his arrival heralds yet another statement of intent from this ambitious team. Blain was just one of the surprise announcements on a day that saw the team announce a key partnership with the Porsche Human Performance Centre at Silverstone. The PHPC, headed-up by Andy Blow, will provide rider physiological testing and support over the season and will be the bedrock of performance measurement as the riders progress through their season of domestic and continental racing.

The day started with MC Anthony McCrossan introducing the Endura brand and Endura Racing history, to a backdrop of SRAM equipped LOOK race and TT bikes. Endura director Jim McFarlane then addressed the audience expressing his ‘pride’ at what had been assembled in the impressive Porsche centre’s foyet. Speaking after the event McFarlane said, “Today is the first hurdle to getting to where we want to be with this team. I truly believe that we are ahead of where we thought we would be at this point – in terms of riders, sponsors and team cohesiveness.”

Stunning! As locations goes, the one at Silverstone was wonderful and none more so when the audience were shown a video of the team on the screens with the equally beautiful Look machine enhancing the image even more.

Prior to the team riders being unveiled, the Endura Racing promo film was shown to the crowd gathered, a video-diary of visits to the Endura offices, team sponsors Fisher Outdoor Leisure (LOOK, SRAM, MET and Tacx) and the house of Rob Hayles, for an insight into his thoughts and expectations for 2010. The launch finale saw the team riders being introduced and interviewed, followed by team photos with riders, guests and sponsors.

“The emphasis now shifts to the riders and the team management”, added McFarlane, and concluded “Rob (Hayles), Garry Beckett and his team will now take over the reins and take us to the race – the arena that this whole project is intended for. I’m very happy, I’m relieved and most of all I am excited to see where we can get to in 2010”.

Full Endura Racing information including 2010 team race schedule, rider profiles, team participation and sponsor profiles are now online at www.enduraracing.com

Follow the team on Twitter www.twitter.com/enduraracing
 
Endura Racing 2010 sponsors line-up
LOOK – frames, pedals and components www.lookcycle.com
SRAM – groupsets www.sram.com
MET – helmets www.met-helmets.com
Tacx – ergo trainers www.tacx.com
Fizik – Saddles www.fizik.com
Continental – tyres www.conti-tyres.co.uk
DS Wealth www.dswealth.co.uk
sleepathlete www.sleepathlete.com
Science-in-Sport www.scienceinsport.com
Porsche Human Performance Centre www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/human-performance-center
Fisher Outdoor Leisure www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
 
Endura Racing 2010 rider line-up
Rob Hayles (Eng, Captain)
James Moss (Eng)
Jack Bauer (NZ)
Evan Oliphant (Sco)
Jason Christie (NZ)
Rob Partridge (Wal)
Ross Creber (Sco)
Scott Thwaites (Eng)
Gary Hand (Sco)
Callum Wilkinson (Sco)
David Lines (Sco)
Ian Wilkinson (Eng)
James McCallum (Sco)
Alexander King (Sco)
Alexandre Blain (Fra)
 
Team management
Jim McFarlane – Team Director, Endura
Garry Beckett – Team Manager
Jonathan MacBain – Mechanic
Brendan Milliken - Mechanic
Ollie Fox - Race/Licence Admin
Martin Steele – PR
Pamela Barclay - Product Development Director, Endura

PHOTOS

From ProTour French team Cofidis comes Alexandre Blain who has had some good results in European races. Here, Alexandre is put through his paces by the Porsche Human Performance team who helped Formula 1 star Mark Webber to winning ways after a bad crash and is available to anyone wanting to go scientific in their training.

The riders are introduced to the audience in small groups. The two New Zealand riders were missing as they are racing in their home country.