Primera-TeamJobs aims to nurture a new generation of riders in 2017, including 16-year-old ‘wonderkid’ Ed Hatfield.
Poole-based recruitment specialist TeamJobs became the main sponsor of Primera in 2016.
Jason Gault, the Managing Director of TeamJobs has been riding with Primera for the last year and has just announced he will manage the team in 2017.
He explained: “Primera-TeamJobs is an excellent example of two local businesses coming together to inspire young talent.
“Both myself and Bill Temple the owner of Primera are passionate about cycling and together we want to create an environment where young riders like Ed can gain excellent training and also have fun.
“But that doesn’t mean we aren’t serious about winning too;
“The big teams would be making a mistake by seeing us as just a ‘local shop team’.
“We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2017. We love to win and we aim to upset some big names.”
Ed Hatfield is Primera-TeamJobs’ youngest rider and has been competing since he was 13.
Winner of the Goodwood Series youth category in 2015 he finished this season by beating older and elite level riders to win the road stage of the Glenn Longland two-day.
He said: “I bought my first road bike from Primera with birthday and Christmas money when I was 13, so riding for them is a real honour.
“This season has been very satisfying and with Jason’s help I’m confident that I can enjoy further wins in 2017.
“If things go to plan I hope to become a continental level rider, but I know there’s a really long way to go. Right now I’m concentrating on training 18 hours a week and learning as much as I can from the other riders on the team.”
Jason added: “We are trying to create a development squad where up and coming riders use our environment as a learning ground, develop as riders and learn some life skills.
“Our goal is to help launch the careers of some of these lads and hopefully help them progress onto bigger and better things.”
Bill Temple said: “Primera is celebrating its 25th anniversary next year and has been supporting team riders since the start.
“Edward’s win in the Glenn Longland two day road race was one of the best wins of the year.”
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