For 2015 the team’s mission remains the same. “To unite some of the country’s most accomplished Mountain Bike racers into a team with unrivalled strength and depth and to set an example to everyone involved in the sport that high-end performances are achieved in symbiosis with generosity of spirit, courtesy and integrity.”

 

Rider Line Up: It is always with sadness that we say goodbye to riders who have worked hard to represent the team. There is no doubt that racing at the top end takes its toll, both mentally and physically, and requires a significant level of commitment. None of the riders on our team are full time professional athletes; they race because they love the sport, often alongside significant work and family commitments. 

 

For 2015 we say goodbye to Ruby Miller, Ed McParland, John Hopkinson, and Neal Crampton. Ruby Miller has been with the team for the past 3 years and for 2015 she will join the Hargrove’s Cycles Racing team with her partner Steven James, where she will also change her focus to Cyclo-Cross Racing. Ed McParland has joined the All Terrain Cycles Road Racing team to allow him to participate in some regional road races (which we are sure he will excel at) and to dedicate further time to his Dentistry Degree. After an impressive string of results in 2014, Jon Hopkinson, one of the biggest characters on the circuit, bids farewell to the competitive side of the sport. After taking the National Marathon title in 2013, Neal Crampton is now looking to focus on fell running, in a bid to free up some time with the imminent arrival of his first child with partner Jo. We wish each and every rider all our best for the future and thank them for their time and dedication.

 

 

The legendary Lydia Gould, our longest serving rider and last remaining from our original line up in 2006, will be stepping down from our Performance team, but will continue to represent TORQ via our Development Team. Lydia won her respective age group title at the National Cyclo Cross Championships back at the start of January and certainly shows no signs of slowing down! Later on in the season, we will also see Emily Iredale making a comeback to racing, after the arrival of her daughter at the end of last year. 

 

We are pleased to announce that, Joanne Clay, Carla Haines, Chris Andrews, Lee Westwood, Alex Welburn and John Pybus will all be continuing with the team and are proud to announce the signing of Jules Toones, Lee Gratton, Richard Dunnett and Sarah Murray for 2015. 

 

Lee joins the team from the Trek Coventry Racing Team. We’ve watched Lee coming up through the ranks into the Elite category with interest, and were suitably impressed by his 10th place finish in the 2014 National XC Championships. Lee’s focus will be on XC racing and he will join our already strong line-up of riders in the Elite category. 

Richard Dunnett joins the team from the TORQ Fuelled, City College Norfolk Team. Rich is the current National 24 hour Solo Champion and finished 2nd in the 2014 Trans Continental Race and the 2013 World Cycle Race, so is certainly not shy to racking up the miles! Rich will be focusing on the endurance side of things and plans to race at the World Championships, alongside racing XC in the Expert Category. 

 

Jules Toones – blew us away with her riding in the Midlands XC series in 2014 and achieved some solid results in the National Series too. 2015 will be Jules’ first full season in the Elite category and we look forward to seeing what she can achieve.

 

Sarah Murray – Has raced at the highest level in Cyclo Cross for Cyclo Cross Magazine, with some impressive results in the National Cyclo Cross Trophy. This will be Sarah’s first year racing in the Elite category and if her Cyclo Cross results are anything to go by, we are sure she will complement our already strong Elite female riders. 

 

TORQ Performance Mountain Bike Team 2015 Rider Line Up;