Eight new signings bolster Raleigh-GAC for 2015

Team Raleigh-GAC’s 2015 line-up will be bolstered by eight new signings, including three foreign riders, Cycling Weekly can reveal.

Pole Karol Domagalski, Finnish sprinter Matti Manninen and former South African under-23 road race champion Calvin Beneke will all ride in the iconic red and black jersey next year, with twice Tour of Britain top-20 finisher Steve Lampier headlining the home-based recruits.

Domagalski, who finished this year’s Vuelta a Espana, joins from second division Spanish squad Caja Rural. Flying Finn Manninen finished fifth at this year’s under-23 European Road Race Championships and Beneke, who previously spent time at the UCI’s development programme in Switzerland, comes from a family with a history of racing.

2012 British Junior Road Race Champion Sam Lowe, and 38-year-old crit specialist Andy Hawdon are among the other British additions.

“I think the signings, in particular the foreign riders, show that the British scene is strong now,” said team owner Cherie Pridham. “Teams are taking it more seriously, sponsors are too, and there’s a lot of publicity to be had.”

“I am pleased to confirm that the core of last year's successes - Evan Oliphant, Morgan Kneisky and our team captain Ian Wilkinson - have all been retained for the 2015 season.

“As per our stated intentions, we have now added some of the best young riders from both home and abroad whilst taking the opportunity to increase the size of the team to allow us  to bring in some additional experience. This gives us the perfect balance.

“As team principle I could not ask for more from a group of riders and I cannot wait to get out on the road and start winning races.”

See today's issue of Cycling Weekly (December 4) for more information on Raleigh-GAC's 2015 line-up.

Raleigh-GAC 2015 team
Calvin Beneke (joins from Europcar SA)

Karol Domagalski (joins from Caja Rural)

Andy Hawdon (joins from KTM)

Morgan Kniesky

Steve Lampier (joins from Giordana Racing)

Sam Lowe (joins from Amicale Cycliste Bisontine)

Matti Manninen (joins from Team Bliz-Merida)

Brad Morgan (joins from Giordana Racing)

Evan Oliphant

George Pym (joins from Starley Primal)

Liam Stones

Ian Wilkinson