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Madison Genesis has announced their team roster for 2018, with five new signings to race under Colin Sturgess.
George Atkins, Mike Cuming, Isaac Mundy, Neil van der Ploeg and George Pym will all join the squad. Completing the 12-rider line-up for 2018 are Taylor Gunman, Rich Handley, Matt Holmes, Tobyn Horton, Johnny McEvoy, Erick Rowsell and Connor Swift.
“The Madison Genesis 2018 team holds much promise with some exciting prospects. What I particularly like is that we have depth of experience and riders with race-craft and nous. Sure, there are a couple of the guys that are a bit green still, but they are in an ideal environment in which to learn their metier," commented Sturges.
“We start with no one designated ‘leader’, but a group of ‘leaders’ throwing open many options. We have climbers, we have sprinters, we have rouleurs, we have guys that can ride a fast TT, can win criteriums. Every single rider on this team can and will win bike races, and as I’ve said previously I like to see guys win with professionalism and panache.
“Over the next couple of months the interplay between riders will become more and more cohesive and I’m looking forward to seeing the guys ride as a well drilled and successful team adding to our already impressive palmares.”
George Atkins was British junior road race champion in 2009 and went on to take national titles on the track and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. With national-level podium performances on the road in previous years, Atkins will be looking to return to the forefront of domestic racing.
Another national champion, Mike Cuming took the British under-23 title back in 2012, before winning the Tour de Korea two years later.
Cumming returns to the top level of UK road racing after spending 2016 in Australia, and 2017 in England with Neon Velo.
Isaac Mundy has joined Madison Genesis after racing mountain bikes at the highest level, before transferring to road. A fourth category licence holder at the start of 2016, Mundy gained first category status in 2017 and has impressed with multiple wins in National B races.
Neil van der Ploeg is another man with an off-road racing history, transitioning to the top level of road competition and earning podium placings in the Tour of China, Tour de Korea and New Zealand Cycle Classic.
George Pym joins having achieved top-ten results in several National A races in 2017. The 23-year-old from Exeter has shown his potential with three consecutive wins at the southwest regional championships and looks to develop further.
With the team roster confirmed, Madison Genesis riders will complete their off-season preparations before the team launch in early 2018.
Madison Genesis 2018 team roster:
George Atkins
Mike Cumin
Taylor Gunman
Rich Handley
Matt Holmes
Tobyn Horton
Johnny McEvoy
Isaac Mundy
Neil van der Ploeg
George Pym
Erick Rowsell
Connor Swift
