Thanks to Bottlesport.com for some sample bottles

The great people at Bottlesport fantastically sent us a box of sample water bottles for the team to use and test with the view to putting in an order with them as we're looking at sorting some team water bottles.

The waterbottles from bottlestore look great and we're enjoying using them.

The screw cap of a bottlesport.com water bottle

Samcycling Race Team at the East Midlands Division Championships

Last weekend saw the East Midlands Division Road Race Championships and Support Race. It also bought together Liam and Alex to race together for the first time.

Liam and Alex from the samcycling.com race team read to race

Below are a slection of photo's of Alex and Liam from the race 

All images are thanks to Mark Atkins of Atkins and Hallam Photography and a full event gallery is available on their website

A cheeky smile from Alex in the peloton

Alex in the bunch with his C Originals SV888 helmet

Samcycling.com Race Team at Victoria Park Crits April 2012

Our C Originals SV888 helmets take centre stage and look good

A selection of photographs from the recent Victoria Park Crits at Leamington Spa with Liam racing in the 3rd Cat races and finishing comfortably in the bunch on his first races of the season.

All photo's are thanks to Mark Atkins of A and H Photography and there are large galleries from the Victoria Park Crits on their webpage.

Waiting for the start at Leamington Spa

Liam Ready for the start in his Sam's Bike Wear Kit and awesome Union Jack Cover Socks

Liam In the peloton at Victoria Park

The Victoria Park Peloton

All photo's are thanks to Mark Atkins of A and H Photography and the

Samcycling.com Team to appear in Cycling Weekly

Great news for the Samcycling.com Team

We're going to be in Cycling Weekly magazine!

We've just spent the day in Derbyshire and the Peak District putting the finishing touches to a ride which will feature in the magazine in the next couple of months.

Keep your eyes out for Samcycling in Cyclingweekly.

Samcycling.com Race Team Jersey thanks to Sam's Bike Wear

Sam's Bike Wear have provided the www.samcycling.com Race Team kit for 2012

The Jersey is inspired by the Saeco Team of Mario Cipollini and the more recent Drapac-Porsche team from Australia. Both jerseys were a simple yet classy red in colour while being instantly recognisable within a moving peloton.

samcycling.com Race Team Jersey for 2012

Sam's Bike Wear have provided the full team jersey, matching red shorts, socks and black arm warmers to the team for 2012.

C Originals SV888 Helmets for the Samcycling.com team

Team sponsor C Originals have recently sent us their latest top of the range SV888 helmet for the team to use. We're looking forward to testing them out as they look to be a light and airy road bike helmet.

The C Originals name is fairly new to the UK however the company already produces products for other leading companies including Limar.

SV888 Helmet from C Originals for the Samcycling.com Race Team

C Originals SV888 Helmet Specifications

• Available in sizes- S/M 55-58 cm and M/L 58-61 cm
• Helmet Weight (claimed) S/M 240g and M/L 260g
• Comfort Padding System
• One hand dial operation rear retention system.
• In-mould production
• CE EN1078 safety certification

The side view of the C Originals SV888 Helmet

Looking for more info on the SV888?-C Originals SV888 Performance Cycling Helmet Review. 

C Originals SV888 Cycling Helmet

A Big Thanks To Scame And Zero3 For Their Support Of The Team

The Samcycling Race Team would like to say a big Thank You to Scame Electrical Solutions and Zero3 Srl for their support.

Boxes have arrived from Scame Electrical Solutions and Worik/ Oxburn

Zero3 Srl have have sent the team their Oxyburn sleeveless base layers which look and feel a fantastic which we will all get a lot of use of during the season. We're sure they will make a fantastic base layer for any active person for cycling, running, walking, skiing etc.

Their Worik workwear brand is new to the UK however with the quality of their products we're sure they will quickly establish a strong spot in the UK marketplace.

Worik Oxyburn sleeveless base layers for the Samcycling Race Team

More details and photos on Worik and Oxybyrn products to follow in future.

Team Socks Have Just Arrived- Ready For The Race Season.

Fresh off the loom! These red and white team socks have just arrived and will be team issue for the Samcycling Race Team for the 2012 season. 

They look fantastic and will match our team kit fantastically well. Here's a big thank you to Sam's Bike Wear

They're also available to non team riders too. If you fancy a pair head over to Samcycling.com. 

Or alternately if you'd like some custom cycling socks for your team in a different colour-scheme email Sam's here with your requirements. 

The team is going to look fast this year in our custom socks!

Happy cycling.

Diary of a Wannabe 2nd Cat Cyclist: The new bike is here- Planet X RT-57

Diary of a Wannabe 2nd Cat Cyclist: The new bike is here- Planet X RT-57: After a trip up to Rotherham I now have my new bike ready for the 2012 racing season. A new Planet X RT-57 Here are a few images on arriv..

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The Samcycling Race Team is now on Twitter

Looking for more updates on the Samcycling Race Team throughout the cycling season

Why not follow us on Twitter

@Samcycingrt

Or click the below link

Follow the Samcycling Race Team on Twitter

Rider Bio: Samuele Marini, Sam Cycling Race Team

Rider Bio for Samuele Marini- Sam Cycling Race Team

Name: Samuele Marini

Nickname:  Sam

2012 Bike? It's in progress... at the moment my old Corratec

What got you into cycling My dad followed cycling when I was child (He was a Francesco Moser fan)...so here I am!

Heroes: Too many heroes...I followed cycling since I was a child, I like all the spectacular riders!

Hopes for 2012 and beyond  Back to regular cycling after having a break, having some good races and developing the Sam Cycling Team

Interests outside the sport  Have a fun with my son (yesss..he is great!!), wife and friends! Relax time with a movie/music and have nice dinners with my wife with nice italian wine and italian coffee!!!
Another big big interest is my company...Sam Cycling Limited !!!! (Team sponsor)

Favourite ride/ place to ride  In my village in Brescia which is 15/20 km from Lake Garda- you can choose flat roads, up and down, and climbs...everything you want !   I  also like to ride in the English countryside when weather is good!

Good luck to Samuele in 2012 and onwards

Samcycling Race Team Rider Bio: Stefano Scandella

Name: Scandella, Stefano

Tell us a bit about you:

I come from north of Italy (Bergamo) and am 41 years old.

Since the age of 10 I have raced cross-country skiing.

Until 34 years of age I only competed in cross-country skiing and ski-roll (ski for road).

At 35 years old I started with cycling. I love to climb very hard!!

Stefano doing what he loves- climbing.

Nickname: Skimans

2012 Bike: Scott Addict RC with Shimano WH-7850 tubular wheels.

Hero: Paolo Savoldelli

Hopes for 2012 and beyond: My hopes for 2012 it’s go very fast and arrive 1-2 category.
Interests outside the sport: My family.

Good luck to Stefano in 2012

Rider Bio: Tom Neale, Sam Cycling Race Team

Name: Tom Neale.

Tell us a little about yourself: Started cycling not to long after my 15th birthday and am now attending Newport University.

2012 Bike: 2012 bike is a Giant TCR Advanced with Zipp 404’s. Not sure about my dream bike. It would probably have to be a Cervelo S5.

What got you into cycling? I started cycling after watching a track world cup on the T.V and thought it looked really fun. After that I joined the local club and got some tips from my Mum’s uncle who still cycles a lot at the age of 70.

Tom leading fellow Samcycling rider for 2012 Alex Avery during a grass track race

Heroes? I think my biggest cycling hero is Phillipe Gilbert simply because it seems like he can do everything!

Hopes for 2012: My hopes for 2012 are to become a 1st cat and to simply win as many races as I can.

Interests outside cycling:Outside of cycling I still follow a lot of sports and when I get the chance I love skiing.

Favourite ride? The best place I’ve ridden is when I went on a training camp in Spain in 2011. It was the best week of riding I’ve ever had.

Good luck to Tom in 2012

Rider Bio: Liam Hallam, Sam Cycling Race Team

Name: Liam Hallam

Liam in cyclo cross action

2012 Bike: At present a Giant TCR for road racing with Dura-ace although hoping to pick myself up a new bike for next season- potentially a Planet X RT-57 with full Sram Red Gruppo. 

First road bike? It wasn’t until I got myself a part time job at the age of 16 when I could save up and buy myself a proper road bike. My first road bike was an all white Peugeot with Columbus Aelle tubing equipped with Campagnolo Mirage- a stark contrast to my carbon bike of today!

And dream Bike? An  MCipollini RB1000 with full Campagnolo Super Record

What got you into cycling: I grew up watching the Tour De France on Channel 4 and loved watching the sprint finishes of Super Mario Cipollini and Djamolidine Abdoujaparov. I also loved to watch the likes of Marco Pantani and Lance Armstrong exert their dominance in the mountains 

Hopes for 2012 and beyond: My main aim for 2012 cycling wise is to obtain my 2nd Cat License. In achieving that I would like to get my first win on the bike. I've had a couple of second places previously although am still chasing that elusive win. Personally 2012 is hopefully going to be the year that I get myself on to the property ladder and purchase my first home.

Interests outside the sport: I love food and in particular eating out. I'll take any opportunity to visit a new restaurant. I particularly love Italian and Indian food. I also enjoy travelling. So far for 2012 I have plans on visiting Andorra (skiing), Berlin, German and Dublin, Ireland- and that's before the summer!

Indulging a love for travel. Djemma El Fna, Marrakech, Morocco 

Heroes: Mario Cipollini- style, an amazing sprinter and an immense personality.

Lance Armstrong- An inspiration to many for overcoming cancer and going on to becoming the most successful Tour De France rider in the events history.

Favourite ride/ place to ride. I love to head out west from Nottingham out towards Crich, Belper and into the Peak District. I'm not a climber by build but particularly enjoy the many climbs that the Peak District has to offer- particularly the area's around Bakewell and Hathersage. 

Rider Bio: Alex Avery, Sam Cycling Race Team

Name: Alex Avery 

Tell us a bit about you: Started cycling in 2008, won Lincolnshire Juvenile 25mile TT Champs in 2009. Attend University of Derby studying Business Studies. 

Nickname: Avery 

2012 Bike: a Karbona built with Campag Veloce group set and a pair of plain carbon wheels

And Dream Bike: Dream bike would have to be a Wilier Cento 1 SLR.

Image courtesy of www.willier-usa.com

What got you into cycling: No joke: My Grandma rides a bike to get around and in the Summer of 2007, I went for a 3 or 4 mile ride with her. I was knackered at the end of it and I rode throughout the summer of 2007, joined my local club in 2008 and then got bitten by the bug! My Dad rode in the 70s and 80s so he has helped me get into it as well.

Heroes: Thomas Voeckler (pictured below), Sylvain Chavenel, Tom Boonen, Mark Cavendish

Thomas Voeckler in Yellow at the Tour De France courtesy of  petitbrun (CC Flickr)

Hopes for 2012 and beyond: Win at least one Road Race, continue improving. After 2012, hope the results keep on coming and one day become a pro. Oh yeah and get a Degree (haha)!

Interests outside the sport: Socialising, seeing friends, that sort of thing 

Favourite ride/ place to ride: Since moving to Derby, I love riding around the Peak District, the Matlock, Bakewell area but when I'm home I enjoy a riding with a few mates and sprinting to just about every sign we see!

Good luck to Alex in 2012 

The Line-up for Samcycling in 2012

Welcome to the Samcycling.com Race Team Blog

We're please to announce that the riders that will feature on the team for 2012 in alphabetical order are;

Alex Avery
Liam Hallam
Tom Neale
Samuele Marini
Stefano Scandella

Here's hoping for a successful 2012 and onwards for the team.

Over the coming weeks we'll be introducing the riders and a little bit about them to you.

2012- training now starts in earnest for the Samcycling Race Team

It's the start of 2012 and for many riders it's now around 2 months to the first races of the season and for the Samcycling.com Race Team it's no different.

Christmas is now over and many riders have different priorities over the festive season. In some cases the priority is not to do too too much and come down with a 'Christmas Cold' which is a curse for all cyclists at this time of the year- especially as it's the time of the year we all feel we need to be doing more!

Over the next few weeks we will announce details of the Samcycling Race Team Riders for 2012 and a little about them so you can get to know them better.

All the best for 2012