Following the successful involvement with the Junior Tour of Ireland over the last two years,the Dave Rayner Fund are looking to expand for 2008 by forming junior teams to participate in some continental races.
There have been a number of encouraging meetings with British Cycling with a view to liaise over the International calendar so that the Fund can give an opportunity to some juniors where BC are unable to send teams due other commitments.
The Fund hope to have the opportunity to extend the arrangement to include representation at Under 23 level and give a more hands on approach for riders to benefit from the considerable experience the Fund Committee have to offer.
These additional measures are of course dependent on continued support at least to the level the Fund currently enjoy.
The main sources of income presently are the Dinner, the Etape du Dales and Fun Ride with our President Brian Robinson, as well as numerous donations particularly the fantastic contribution the Fund receives from the Fred Whitton Challenge.
In the meantime the Fund are continuing to support individual riders hoping to make their name on the Continent with various teams abroad in 2008 following the success of Dan Martin last year who of course has found a place in the Slipstream team.
The selected riders are:-
Tobyn Horton
Adam Biggs
Andrew Griffiths
Dominic Schills
Richard Heathcote
Ian Legg
Steve Lampier
Dan Shand
Dan Davies
Adam Illingworth
Tom Walters
Sam Webster
Tom Murray
Adam Norris
Nicki Harris (F)
Matt Brammeier
The Fund have also offered 3 month placings to the following should they wish to take them up at the end of their respective studies,and these are:-
Steve Guymer
Peter Williams
Alex Wise
Unfortunately the committee had to turn down 28 applicants which is always disappointing but the number of applications received is very encouraging for the future.
Keith Lambert
