GRIMSBY'S Alp Action Ettridge Cycling racing team are targeting more success after an "outstanding" maiden season.
Eight riders have competed for the team and, in their first 12 months of competition, powered to 11 outright race wins, a national title, several podium finishes and two of the best individual time-trial times seen in the area for some time.
Jamie Ward, the team's manager and race member, said: "Riders were invited into the team with a brief to ride local races and try to be well placed in a few, or even possibly win an event. However, the results have been nothing short of outstanding."
Ward put the Grimsby team's success down to hard training in the winter.
"The riders put many hours of training in on cold, wet days in the first three months of the year," he said.
Next year's team will comprise nine riders: Steve Marrows, Ward, Stuart Axle, Pat Lince, Stuart Whitlam, Neal Hunt, John Strachan, Andy Dennis and Dave Robinson.
Team captain Marrows ensured Alp Action Ettridge ended the season on a high – by winning a competition in Wales.
Marrows represented the Grimsby team in the 50-55 age-group category of the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists Criterion Championships, held in Rhyl.
The specialist Criterion format involved a one-kilometre circuit. Riders competed for an hour being told there are five laps remaining – prompting a 5k dash to the finish.
Marrows reacted, along with another cyclist, to an early breakaway attempt.
The pursuing pack went on the attack with five laps to go and cut the gap down to less than ten seconds.
And with 200 metres to go, and on the verge of being caught, the trio counter-attacked – and Marrows had the biggest kick for home, clinching victory by a bike length.
