A cold and very wintry 5th of February saw the official team launch of Team Hope Factory Racing for 2012.
PRESS RELEASE: Held at our sponsor’s factory, Hope Technology in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, riders from across the range of disciplines attended on a day that proved to be the worst for travelling all winter, sadly, due to the ridiculous levels of snow fall in the Midlands and East Yorkshire, we were short of Dave Collins, Dan Booth, Jamie Sharpe and Nicole Walters.
The rest of the team were disappointed that they couldn’t make it, but all had the opinion that it was better to have the four riders safe, than taking any risks to get up for the launch, especially in light of the fact that we would have the year to meet up to train, race and visit sportives as a team.
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After a team photograph of all of the riders, followed by the individual photos for each discipline, including, Road, Cyclo cross, MTB XC and MTB Downhill. The team had the opportunity to meet and discuss the coming season with the Sponsors, manager and each other, this was followed by a tour of the state of the art Hope Factory, were Alan Weatherill explained the process of each section of the manufacture of the Hope product range.
Whilst the snow put paid to the team ride, the next stop was the local pub for a quick bit before heading home before the weather caused any issues for the people who made it on the day, the riders had the opportunity to get to know their new team mates, more importantly Jack Clarkson’s sense of humour and enthusiasms for Team Hope Factory Racing.
Left to right. Alan Weatherill, Katy Simcock, Sam Ward, James Thompson, Adela Carter, Matthew Williams, Jack Clarkson, Paul Oldham, Steve Whitehurst, Paul Bennett, Michael Knight, Sam Boast, Arthur Green, Mim Freemantle, Tom Braithwaite, Jonathan Hobson (Mechanic).
Road: The road teams, both men and women are aiming to ride all of the Premier Calendar events, National Women’s Races and National Crits:
Men:
Paul Bennett
Sam Boast – U23
Dan Booth
Jack Clarkson – U23
Dave Collins
Michael Knight – U23
Paul Oldham
James Sharpe
James Thompson
Sam Ward
Matthew Williams
Steve Whitehurst
Women:
Adela Carter
Mim Freemantle
Katy Simcock
Nicole Walters
From Left to Right: Back Row: Alan Weatherill (Hope Technology Ltd), Paul Oldham, Sam Ward, Paul Bennett, Matthew Williams, James Thompson, Lee Owen-Stanford (Manager).  Middle Row: Steve Whitehurst, Arthur Green, Tom Braithwaite, Michael Knight. Front Row: MIm Freemantle, Katy Simcock, Adela Carter, Sam Boast, Jack Clarkson
MTB
MTB XC:Â The MTB team will be focusing on all of the NPS and a number of endurance team events including Mountain Mayhem.
Men:
Dan Booth
Jack Clarkson
Dave Collins
Arthur Green
Paul Oldham
Women:
Adela Carter
Katy Simcock
MTB Downhill:Â Tom Brathwaite will be representing the team in Downhill, including UK and international events.
Cyclo Cross:Â Our strongest discipline, our roots and frankly where the team came from! We aim to be back just as strong as last season, with the team looking to defend the Yellow Jersey of National Trophy Winner Paul Oldham. We will also be aiming to send riders to Belgium to compete, as well as having a strong squad for the Nationals and the Rapha Series, finally the aim will be to have some of our riders again selected to represent the GB squad in the worlds.
Men:
Dan Booth
Jack Clarkson
Dave Collins
Arthur Green
Paul Oldham
James Thompson
Women:
Adela Carter
