Plowman Craven Cycling Team - The Launch Party

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The launch of the new Plowman Craven RT – Opera / Leica Geosystems took place at the Sports Café in London’s Haymarket.

Phil Griffiths was the first up, joined by Luciano Fuza Polli, Marketing Director for Pinarello and OPERA bikes – who had travelled from Italy for the occasion, and expressed his pleasure at supplying the team with the complete a package he was able to. The team will ride the latest Opera Canova carbon bikes supplies with Most components and Campagnolo carbon groupsets. Phil is also supplying the team with Rudy Project accessories, DMT shoes and overshoes. In addition, the team is also kitted out in full racing and training clothing from Giordana.

Graham Strugnell was next up, again endorsing his support for the team and providing the team with Teknofuel race drinks and bottles.

Leica Geosystems were presented by John Fraser and finally Simon Barnes – Plowman Craven CEO took the stage talking of their work with laser scanning, especially the head scanner which was on hand for demonstrations, what a tremendous sport cycling is and how it has helped to increase peoples awareness of Plowman Craven and their work.

Plowman Craven RT Bike supplied by Opera

The New Plowman Craven RT Kit and Bike

Simon Barnes, Director of Plowman Craven

The MC then introduced the Plowman Craven RT starting with the team’s manager Steve Ellis. Steve spoke about the team comprising of riders who are natural winners and that as a team they would be even more formidable. He went on to outline the aims and objectives of the team, The 2 season long National Series (Criterium and Track) and many of the National Championship titles before being upstaged by 4 year-old Evie Elliott (daughter of team rider Malcolm). Steve also apologies for the absence of the team’s seventh rider, Craig Butland, who is still in Capetown, South Africa trying to clear a viral problem before travelling to join the team.

First of the riders to take the stage was 19 year old rising star from Cardiff - Tom Smith, multiple Welsh Champion at both Junior and Senior levels. He was followed by the team’s youngest rider and another rising star, 18 year old National Junior Road Champion Adam Norris from Romford. Wesley Cole, another rider from Capetown, a South African international rider completed the opening trio of riders on the stage.

Tom Smith is introduced

Adam Norris is introduced

Wesley Cole is introduced

James Taylor, Multiple National Champion from Bristol, was the first of the riders to be interviewed on the stage. James explained that as a qualified coach he will be able to assist the younger riders in their development programme. He also stated that after years of rivalry between Tony Gibb and himself it would be nice to be on the same team - as they have been when paired together to win 4 National Madison titles.

‘Mr. Experience’ – Malcolm Elliott was next up, talking about his racing career in America, he also spoke about some of his memories from riding the world’s greatest sporting event - the Tour de France. One of his cherished memories was riding into Paris on the final day and seeing the Eiffel Tower and the knowledge that 3 weeks of suffering had nearly finished.

Last to take the stage was the team’s ‘Showman’ Tony Gibb. Tony outlined the 4 years that he has been sponsored by Plowman Craven as an individual rider and how he was now relishing being part of the Plowman Craven team. Tony too, recalled some memories of his racing career and talked of his silver medal from the World Track Championships in 2002. To conclude the interview he thanked Simon Barnes, the Plowman Craven company and all the sponsors on behalf of both himself and all of the team.

James Taylor is introduced

Malcolm Elliott is introduced

Tony Gibb is introduced

The riders then had a photo shoot on the stage before going outside for another shoot with the team cars. Once back inside they then changed out of their racing kit and back into ‘civvies’ for interviews and informal talks with the press and the evenings guests.

The Plowman Craven Racing Team - from left to right:
Tony Gibb, James Taylor, Tom Smith, Steve Ellis (Team Manager), Adam Norris, Wesley Cole and Malcolm Elliott

Throughout the evening their was a great atmosphere, each rider came onto the stage with a personalised backing track and personal details and career highlights on the various screens plus a 3D graphic of the head – courtesy of the head scanning expertise of Plowman Craven & Leica Geosystems. This was a team launch with a difference and the buzz around the Sports Café lasted long after the presentations had concluded.

Links

Please click on the following links to read further reports on the Plowman Craven Launch Party.

PezCycling News - UK's Newest Pro Team Launches In London (492kb)

LondonCycleSport.com - Plowman Craven RT Lauch Party (752kb)