Velosure Starley Primal 2015

Kimberley Keay

Velosure Starley Primal announce men’s team roster for 2015

Velosure Starley Primal is today proud to announce its men’s team roster for the 2015 season which includes eight new British and International riders.

The rider selection is expected to build upon the team’s success and add real strength and quality to the UK pro peloton.
 
James Smith, Velosure Starley Primal’s Team Manager, said: “We’re really excited about the team for 2015 – we’ve got a great mix of British and international talent who are all eager to excel and be at the forefront of events in the racing calendar. The new riders will make us a force to be reckoned with across all race disciplines.”
 
With the British domestic scene booming, the team has been successful in attracting and signing international riders – Spaniard, Adrià Moreno Sala and French rider, Marius Cordier. Moreno Sala recorded six high profile victories, a third place in the Vuelta León, plus a further 20 top ten positions in 2014. In addition Cordier also achieved three race wins at Mauriac, Tournon d’Agenais and Rouffiac in France, and took an additional 14 top ten positions this year.
 
American rider, Joe Petrowski has also been signed following some great performances guest riding for Velosure Starley Primal at select races during 2014. Petrowski comes from a mountain bike background and previously won the 2013 USA National Mountain Bike Marathon Championships.
 
Smith said: “The addition of Adrià, Marius and Joe is an exciting new venture for the team. This is the first time we’ve signed riders from abroad and we’re sure that their talent will help us to develop the team even further – Adrià in particular is certainly one to watch.”
 
Nathan Edmondson, elder brother of Pro Tour rider Josh Edmondson, also joins the team in 2015 and has experience in international racing having already spent four years competing at a high level in France and Italy. This year he performed well in races such as the Tour of Britain, Prudential RideLondon Classic, the An Post Rás and the 55th Tour du Loir et Cher E Provost.
 
Smith is looking forward to working with Edmondson and he said: “Nathan’s knowledge of racing on the international scene will certainly benefit the team next season. He’s a really strong rider and has proven himself to be a top-tier all-rounder.”
 
Scottish Commonwealth Games representatives, Jack Pullar and Davie Lines have both re-contracted with the team for another year. Pullar continues to achieve impressive results including winning the 2012 National Hill Climb Championships and the Points jersey in the Kerry Group Rás Mumham in 2014. Lines also has a wealth of experience and was previously Scottish Criterium, Scratch Race and Mountain Bike Champion – plus he has also won silver medals in the Scottish Road and Cyclo Cross Championships.
 
Both Pullar and Lines have been instrumental in the team’s success to date and Smith is delighted that they are in the 2015 line-up. He said: “Jack and Davie have been with the team for the past year and they have always impressed us with their talent, commitment and enthusiasm. They are a huge part of the team’s foundation moving forwards.”
 
Silver medallist in the Deaflympics, Tom Smith is another new signing who has substantial experience. He’s recorded seven British National titles on the road and track, plus achieved a further 15 gold medals in the Welsh Road and Track Championships. Having lived and raced in Belgium for the last two years, Smith will be a key part of the team in the kermesse style city centre races.
 
Strong all-rounder James Gullen has joined Velosure Starley Primal along with old teammate, Thomas Bustard. Gullen has a string of impressive results including wins in the Out of the Saddle Road Race and the Tour of the North stage race this year. Last year he was also second in the National Hill Climb Championships and sixth in the British Time Trial Championships. Bustard will also be a great asset, having won the Roy Thame British Classic in 2014, and has raced on the continent achieving a number of notable top ten placings.
 
Smith was equally as enthusiastic about the signing of the three British riders and he said: “Every rider on this team is capable of winning races. Gullen and Bustard are both strong riders who have excelled across a number of cycling disciplines and combined with the experience of Tom Smith, we know that they will be a formidable force in any race situation.”
 
The team has wisely continued to invest in younger riders and welcomes James Davey to the team and has also re-contracted Josh Burns. Both Davey and Burns have progressed well in their first season as senior riders.
 
Smith added: “We’re delighted to be able to invest in both James and Josh to give them the opportunity to ride and develop alongside more experienced riders.
 
“We have some fantastic sponsors on board and we’re looking forward to the continued success of the team and can’t wait for the start of the 2015 season!”
 
Velosure Starley Primal Men’s Team 2015
 
Josh Burns
Thomas Bustard
Marius Cordier
James Davey
Nathan Edmondson
James Gullen
Davie Lines
Adria Moreno-Sala
Joseph Petrowski
Jack Pullar
Tom Smith
 
Meet the riders at the Velosure Starley Primal Team Launch on Sunday, 15 February, 2015 at The London Bike Show at ExCel, London.
 
For more information about Velosure Starley Primal, visit www.peoplesteam.cc