The Cycling Academy has secured a three-year partnership with top cycling clothing brand, Le Col beginning from the 2021 season.
The Cycling Academy is a new project that is building a success pathway for young riders to make it in the professional peloton.
Team Director James McCallum noted, “It’s great to have Le Col on board to support The Cycling Academy’s project. We already loved Le Col’s attention to detail and their support for the sport’s grass-roots makes them the perfect fit for us.”
Yanto Barker, former professional cyclist, British Champion and Le Col’s founder noted “The Cycling Academy really caught our eye hitting the front in Zwift races and aligning with our efforts to support racing and rider development”
The Cycling Academy and Le Col share some history as McCallum and Barker worked together at top British Pro Continental team ONE Pro Cycling where James was Directeur Sportif.
The Cycling Academy recruited its first Junior squad [16-18 year olds] in 2021, targeting races in the UK as well as Europe, including the Assen Junior Tour in the Netherlands this August.
During lockdown, the team adapted to e-racing on the Zwift platform where they clashed with the pro’s including Belgian Road race Champ Dries DeBontd and British Circuit Race Champ Joey Walker. They currently sit on top of a long running Zwift series for both riders and team’s points competition. Le Col clothing range includes indoor training gear specially designed for when things get a little hot in the “pain cave” of e-racing. The partnership also ensures the team have the best possible winter and summer season kit for the 2021 season so they can train and race in all weather conditions.
Peter Ellen, Director of Business Affairs at The Cycling Team said:
“We’re super happy to have Le Col on board as a partner and show their support for The Cycling Academy. It’s been over 25 years since Scotland has had a home-grown world tour rider. This is despite the huge growth in the popularity of the sport over the last decade or so and major British success in Grand Tours. Our ambition is to change that, and we see an opportunity to build a new pathway to successful bike racing, borrowing techniques and expertise form those who have enjoyed that success.”
About Le Col
Le Col was born from one pro-rider's push to create the best performance cycling apparel. Le Col's founder, former GB cyclist Yanto Barker remains central to the development of the kit by putting his professional insight and hours of testing into every fine detail. The kit provided to The Cycling Academy team will be branded in the team’s colours of orange and blue and can be seen (link)