After three years with the team, Penny Rowson will be moving on from Matrix Fitness as she aims to take the next step with her career and prove herself on the continent.
Rowson will ride with a number of young British riders on a team rising from the ashes of the Ibis Cycles team that was unable to continue in 2013 due to lack of funds.
"Its all about me getting out there and getting on with it while I'm quite young," she told CW. "The British scene is improving, but for me to progress to a level where I can be in the frame for the Olympics, I need to be out on Europe. I'm going to be doing a lot of racing in France to prove myself in races that suit me."
Matrix-Fitness meanwhile have bolstered their squad with the signings of talented junior Melissa Lowther and capable cyclocross rider Gabby Day, who is riding this winter for the Rapha-Focus ‘cross team.
Matrix Fitness 2013 squad: Corrine Hall, Emma Grant, Hannah Walker, Harriet Owen, Jessie Walker, Jo Tindley, Gabby Day, Melisa Lowther.
Bike hire boost for Liverpool
Liverpool City Council is aiming to launch the biggest cycle hire scheme outside London with a £2.8m grant from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.
Next summer the city should see the first of 1000 bikes in the Liverpool City Cycle Hire Scheme, based over 60 locations, primarily in the city centre. The aim is to help commuters, shoppers, tourists and students get around on two wheels, cutting congestion and emissions in the process.
AW Cycles up for 2013
AW Cycles has been busy bolstering its squad this winter for the upcoming domestic season, signing five new riders to its roster as it aims to climb up the ranks in 2013.
Martin Smith, double national masters champion, joins from Primal Europe while James Wilson and Adam Cotterell make the move from Supernova Cycles and Zappi's respectively. Along with additional new signings Toby Neave and Lawrence Carpenter, the team will be targeting National B events while dipping their toes in the waters of the Premier Calendar.
Team manager James Thompson remains on the lookout for additional sponsors. To talk about opportunities you can email him on jamest@awcycles.co.uk
AW Cycles 2013 squad: Adam Cotterell, Toby Neave, Martin Smith, James Wilson, Alex Peterson, Lawrence Carpenter, Frazier Carr, Nick English, Matt Gittings, Ken Buckley, Joe Crolla, Daniel Lansley, Jason Pitt, Harry Strudley, Max Steadman, George Withers, Trevor Bradbury.
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Essex pros unite for bike shop launch
AthlonSport, a new Essex-based bike shop and sports hub, launched earlier this month with a star-studded opening.
Ria Ritchie, recently signed to music giant Jay-Z's record label, welcomed guests with a live acoustic set, after cycling commentator David Harmon stepped in to assist with a last minute sound check.
New Movistar recruit Alex Dowsett joined Le Col's Yanto Barker in a Watt Bike challenge, with Magnus Backstedt on the mic, although the real competition came down to a battle of best Christmas outfit, of which Dowsett took the crown with a reindeer jumper.
The inspirational James Golding was in attendance guest speaking about his tremendous fundraising efforts after surviving cancer twice and being seriously injured when he was hit by a truck. He has raised £1.5million in two years.
AthlonSport is run by a family of triathletes, duatheletes and cyclists; Tony, Steve and Jeffery Collins, known for their peloton singing, during events including Hotchillee's London 2 Paris, Cape Rouler and Cape Argus.
You can find more details about the Chelmsford store at http://www.athlonsport.co.uk/
RIP Charlie Betteley
Charlie Betteley, 1949 grass-track champion and 1975 Masters champion, sadly passed away on November 25 while out on his bike. He was 92.
A member of Stafford RC, Betteley's passion was road racing and became world over-50s world champion when the race was held in Ashbourne in 1975. He regularly clocked up 200 miles a week out with the club right into old age.
He also crafted frames with friend Henry Burton until 1999 and was renowned in his club for his friendly enthusiasm for helping members with mechanicals over a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Coppi comes to Hammersmith
The 2013 Hammersmith Cyclists' Film Show will pay tribute to legendary Italian Fausto Coppi with a showing of Jean-Christophe Rosé's 1996 film ‘Coppi-An Italian Story.'
The campionissimo will also feature in newsreel footage from his 1958 visit to Herne Hill, alongside an extract from Beryl Burton: Racing is Life, and more.
Head down to Riverside Studios in Hammersmith at 1.30pm on Saturday January 27 for the screenings, although booking in advance is highly recommended. You can do so at www.riversidestudios.co.uk or by phoning the box office on 020 8237 1111
>>>We want to hear what's happening in your area - from
racing results to sportives, recreational cycling to commuting. To
submit your stories for CW's British news round-up, please email Nick Bull or Richard Abraham>>>
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