A new amateur cycling team has been launched with support from Wold Top Brewery and other local businesses.
The Wold Top Actif Road Racing Team comprises seven talented local cyclists who will compete in British Cycling events both in Yorkshire and nationwide.
The team has been established by Beverley men, Richard Baldwin and David Hought, who have cycled together for years and who organise the popular Wolds 123 Sportive.
Richard Baldwin explained the rationale for the team: “David and I aim to use our experience, contacts and products to bring a professional style attitude to grass roots cycling. We are looking to make this team the best in the area bar none and can’t wait for the season to begin.”
The racing team’s line-up includes: Lewis Jackson, 36 from Bridlington; Rob Hill, 39 from Withernsea; Greg Saunderson, 25 from Burstwick; Josh Ravin, 18 from Hull; Jamie Cousins, 25 from Withernsea; Alex Dalton, 19 from North Ferriby and 18 year old GB triathlete, Ben Baugh from Barrow on Humber.
David Hought added: “Our aim as a team is to be one of the best in the Yorkshire regions and challenge the monopoly that other established teams have held recently. We are very grateful to Wold Top Brewery, Vehicle Livery Solutions, Oriel, Actif Handbuilt Wheels and Pactimo Europe for their help in bringing this project to fruition.”
The team are currently training in Mallorca in preparation for the first race of the season at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on 27th February.
Brewery representative, Kate Balchin is delighted to support the initiative: “Wold Top Brewery has a long association of supporting cycling in the region, including Ryedale Special Families’ Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge, William’s Farm Kitchen Charity Sportives and the Wolds 123 Sportive and we’re looking forward to charting the progress of the Wold Top Actif team.”
Wold Top’s cycling ale, Hello Velo, was brewed to celebrate the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014 and has proved popular with cyclists and non-cyclists ever since.
Farm based Wold Top Brewery brews traditional real ale from home and Wolds grown malting barley, the finest hops and chalk-filtered water from the farm’s own borehole.