A CYCLING team is starting a new season with support from sponsors and the community.

The Primera-TeamJobs race team competes in road and off-road races around the UK and after an unsettled two years from the pandemic is starting the 2022 season with optimism.

Managed by Jason Gault, from recruitment consultancy TeamJobs, the team recently had its season launch at Emotion Fitness Hub in Poole. “We strive to attract the best amateur riders to join us every year and we start this season with 18 incredible cyclists. We even had applications from overseas,” said Mr Gault.

Mr Gault and Bill Temple teamed up in 2016 to build a race team where the support and mentoring helped create team members to flourish – not only being the best cyclists they could be but also learning the important life skills of team work, resilience, work ethic and making the journey fun.

The season started on February 13 with the Perfs road race in Hampshire, where George Smith powered to sixth in gruelling conditions, securing the team’s best finish at this race ever. Mr Gault said: “It’s going to be a great season and the one thing that keeps this team together is a strong bond of togetherness. The commitment to cycle at a high amateur level is huge. Our team is made up of parents and people with jobs who often start the day before 5am to accommodate the grueling training schedule needed to compete at this level. We all push ourselves and each other.”

Joining the main sponsors, TeamJobs and cycle shop Primera, this season are Symes Wealth Management and bike accident firm CAMS.

Mr Gault said: “Without the dedication and support from our sponsors this team wouldn’t be possible. It means so much to build a family where everyone is supporting each other, both personally and professionally. It’s a season we are all ready for.”

The next round of races continues in March.