TWO of the city’s best-known businessmen have joined forces to help launch the city’s first road racing team to help inspire everyone to get on their bikes.
Dean Jackson founder of HUUB and Paul Martin from Webuycycle say they hope that the new Derby City Cycling (DCC) team will help turn the city into a Mecca for cyclists, encouraging events and further investment.
The team is headed by riders Adam Kenway and Josh Housley who currently compete at a national level, alongside cyclists Ewan Mackie, Ollie Snodden and Otto Chilton.
But their goal goes beyond winning races as they aim to establish Derby as a city of cycling with first rate facilities and the capacity to stage unique cycling events that will help put the city on the map and raise money for charity.
Now the two founders are calling on businesses in Derby to join them in supporting the team either financially or more practically by providing transport, bikes, kit and equipment.
Dean Jackson, CEO of Derby-based HUUB Limited, said: “Derby is a city with a heritage in cycling, not only with what we see today with Derby Arena and its impressive velodrome, the incredible miles and miles of pathways of cycling accessibility but also the events of the past that took place in Derby, which we hope to bring back to the city.
Derby City cycling is a small piece of a bigger plan to bring prestigious events to the city and to raise a large amount of money for charities that will benefit Derby and the surrounding areas.
“We know there isn’t a lot of money around at the moment, which is why we are asking for support in any form. The team needs tangible things like an estate car to go to races and they’re looking for anyone who wants to buy or lend them bikes.
”Paul Martin, director of Webuycycle, based in Church Broughton, said: "As a company, we employ a team of extremely keen cyclists to sell quality pre-owned bikes, all with the reassurance of original invoices, to buyers based in Derbyshire and throughout the rest of the UK.
“We're passionate about the sport of cycling and, here in Derbyshire, we are blessed with having some of the best roads and trails in the country to cycle on, particularly in the renowned Peak District area.
"We look forward to seeing the current Derby CC riders participating in UK events in the near future and would be keen for other local businesses to join us and HUUB on the journey."
Jono Hornblow will be Derby City Cycling’s team lead. He said: "We have a hotbed of cycling talent in Derby and Derbyshire, which continues to grow. I have always wanted to bring the guys I have ridden with over the years together as a team to demonstrate just what Derbyshire is all about when it comes to cycling.
"Riders like Adam Kenway and Josh Housley are consistently mixing at the national level but have never ridden on the same team, even though they have trained and ridden together for years. Add into the mix Ewan Mackie, Ollie Snodden and Otto Chilton, who also grace the roads of Derbyshire with class and panache and can often be seen out on local social, training and club rides. This team has the potential already to do things nationally.
"Personally, I would love to see more local riders come into the mix in the future to develop Derby CC into a movement we can all be proud of in Derby and Derbyshire. Whilst inspiring local people to take up cycling."
Paul Simpson, chief executive at Derby City Council says: “It takes thinking a little differently to achieve the goal of bringing large sporting events to Derby. With the help of businesses and those who genuinely love the sport, the ambition is that with collaboration we can achieve something great for our city, building on the already great foundations, delivering events and inspiring people of all abilities to take up cycling and sport.
“Derby has already hosted major events and this year in August we are supporting the national BMX competition taking place at Alvaston Park, as well as the National Madison and Derny events at Derby Arena in September.”
Claire Davenport, director of leisure, culture and tourism at Derby City Council works with colleagues and key partners to use sport as a catalyst to transform the city.
She said: “We have invested in fantastic facilities, we have brilliant coaches offering courses for all abilities and we have talented athletes winning medals in world class competitions. The new Derby Cycling Club for road biking is another great asset for our city and will inspire more people to get involved, whatever their ability."