With a fresh look, new riders and increased backing for the cyclocross season, the Garden Shed UK – Ribble – Verge Sport CX team is aiming to build on previous successes as it looks to cement itself as a leading British cyclocross development team.
Launched in 2019 by Tom Dussek and Jenson Young the team aims to provide the full package of support and racing opportunities for talented U23, Junior and Youth riders. Jenson Young remains a key rider, sharing his racing experience with the younger riders as he has moved up into the U23 category.
Oli Akers, winner at the Koppenbergcross and Youth National Series, also enters his third season with the team; with previous riders Katie Scott and Dan Barnes both graduating to UCI teams.
Three new riders are also welcomed to the team. Nathan Smith, ninth at Tabor World Cup last year and set to start the MTB World Champs next week, will join Oli Akers in the junior category. Former U14 National Champions Libby Bell and Seb Grindley have also signed with the team.
The team enjoys backing from Yorkshire based Garden Shed UK, with Ribble Cycles getting on board as title and bike sponsors. The team will be racing on carbon Ribble CX SLs finished with new striking green racing colours created in Ribble’s CustomColour tool adding a unique finish to the bikes.
Verge Sport UK/IRL also remains the team’s clothing provider, with the team planning on making the trip to the Verge Cross Clonmel UCI race in Ireland this October. This will feature in the team’s busy international calendar, with racing planned throughout Europe and the aim being to send four eligible riders to the World Championships in America in January.
2021 line-up
Oliver Akers – Junior
Libby Bell – Junior – joins from Leicester Forest CC
Seb Grindley – U16 – joins from North Cheshire Clarion
Nathan Smith – Junior – joins from Birkenhead Northend
Jenson Young – Elite/U23
