Endura Racing is branching out into all aspects of competitive cycling at the highest level in 2011 with the signing of British mountain biker Oli Beckingsale and track specialist Chris Pritchard.
The Scottish-based squad backed by clothing manufacturer Endura already has a strong road team and the signing of Beckingsale and Pritchard signals the outfit's intent of competing at the top level in several cycling disciplines. Both of the new signings will also assist in the development of Endura's cycling clothing ranges.
"I am really happy to be riding for Endura for the next two years," former Giant rider Beckingsale said.
"It is a strong British company with a long history with mountain biking and will give me the product, support and flexibility to work towards my long term goal of not just competing in the London Olympics but producing a result that I can be proud of.
"It's not all about the Olympics though and there are a lot of big races in the UK and abroad that I want to play a part in next year, in particular the home World Cup round in Dalby and the UK National Champs."
Having spent a decade at the top of the mountain biking scene where he has regularly competed in UCI World Cup events around the globe, Beckingsale is the current British mountain bike marathon champion.
Pritchard represented Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and scored a bronze medal in the keirin at the 2010 British track national championships. He will ride on the track and select criterium events for Endura.
"2010 was a great year for me, with the Commonwealth Games and my performances at the National track champs," commented Pritchard.
"It's great that a Scottish business like Endura has come in to help fund my progress, and I am very excited to be using and help develop the excellent Equipe clothing range."
In November, the team announced the addition of several overseas riders to its road squad - Australian Jack Anderson, Swede Alexander Weterhall, German Paul Voss, Estonian Rene Mandri and Dutchman Maarten De Jonge.
The whole of the 2011 Endura Racing squad will be officially unveiled at the team's launch in London on February 3.
Related links
Endura boosts 2011 line-up with overseas talent
March 2010: Endura looking forward with confidence to next Continental races
February 2010: Endura's south of France cafe run (photo special)
January 2010: Endura Racing officially launched
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