St Albans is slowly become the go to place for up and coming cyclists in Hertfordshire and beyond with the launch of a new cycling race team.

Herts Advertiser: The first GPN Builders Rock and Road Bikes racing squad show off their new colours at the team's official 2019 launch. Picture: JUDITH PARRY PHOTOGRAPHYThe first GPN Builders Rock and Road Bikes racing squad show off their new colours at the team's official 2019 launch. Picture: JUDITH PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

GPN Builders Rock & Road Bikes will line up against former team-mates at Verulam Reallymoving and they have set themselves the aim of becoming a major player on the UK scene.

St Albans-based businesses GPN and Rock & Road are the title sponsors while Ellisix Beauty will join them in sponsoring the team, fronted by team manager Marcel Six who was also with Verulam last season.

He said: “The aim is clear, to become one of the main teams in the UK racing scene.

“Although we are a new team the guys all know each other well and they have gelled really well from the first team training session.

“That makes us hopeful that we can achieve some big moments to remember and make our mark.

“We start the season in Spain before national events such as the Roy Thame and Jock Wadley road races.

“And with riders like Adam Strudwick and Clay Davies we believe we can be competitive at both the regional and national events throughout 2019.

“We also have Matt Watson in his first year as a junior and Tyler and Harry where we will be looking to get some successes on the youth scene.”

Six is looking for 25 wins alongside 30 podium positions this year with certain races definitely on the radar.

One of them is the UCI CiCLE Classic, the UK’s version of the famous northern European classics race, held around Rutland Water and Melton Mowbray.

Six said: “The CiCLE Classic gives us the chance to mix it with the pro riders and for the team to showcase themselves.

“We are also racing in Spain and Belgium with the aim there to gain experience but at the same time get the necessary results.

“The Central Road Race League will be our main goal though. We want to win this both individually and as team.

He also paid tribute to the team’s sponsors.

He said: “All this wouldn’t be possible without the support from the sponsors so I want to send a big thank you to them and I’m sure we will do them proud.”