Racing Across The World
Celebrating 125 years of design and innovation, 2022 sees the UK based men’s road cycling team, Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling, presented with their all-new Ribble Ultra SL R team edition machines, designed to win on the world stage, writes Gail Bailey
Crossing three centuries and famed for its innovative and award-winning bike-building design, leading British cycle brand Ribble Cycles maintains the same company ethos. It is a local business that continues to be the best and continues to fly the flag proudly – not only for British engineering, design and ingenuity but for Lancashire too.
At an event held at their state-of-the-art Clitheroe showroom, Ribble Cycles presented the Ribble Weldtite Pro-Cycling (RWPC) team with their new Ultra SL R race machines, before the team flew out to Alicante for pre-season training in Calpe: “It is brilliant to host such an exciting team bike launch event at our flagship store, bringing together a world-class product, pro-riders, partners and people in our unique brand-immersive showroom. It’s a great start to the season and the launch pad of many new in-store initiatives celebrating our 125 years heritage, cycling passion and pedigree,” said Ribble Commercial Director David Stacey.
The Ultra SL R, designed and engineered by Ribble Cycles, is the culmination of over three years research and development, from a simple brief to create the fastest aero road bike in the world, and it is now the exciting next phase.
Jamie Burrow, Head of Product says: “It has been a long project, but we know we have developed an unrivalled bike in terms of aerodynamics and speed, and we are ready now to see it have real world testing and to see the riders competing with the bike on a global scale.”
The aerodynamically optimised and fully UCI-approved bike has been finished in the new striking 2022 Team Edition Custom Colour design featuring a Midnight Ink, Fresh Mandarin and Alpine White palette with metallic finish.
Jack Rees, Director of Operations for the RWPC team, says: “As a team we place a heavy emphasis on optimising all areas of performance from our bikes, equipment, clothing and helmets to in-race strategy. To have access to a pure aero bike, and knowing the level of research and development that is behind it, especially in terms of the unique handlebars, means the whole team are looking forward to testing it on the world stage. It gives a real competitive advantage for us that we aim to use competing both at home and abroad.”
The competitive season starts for the team in March and the RWPC Team have an impressive line-up of 16 riders, which includes Tanfield brothers Charlie and Harry – Charlie has already represented Great Britain in the 2020 Olympics, and is currently preparing for the upcoming commonwealth games:
“We have lots of ambition for the team this year with a group of accomplished riders who are the Olympic medallists of the future, coupled with an evolutionary bike. We are a British team flying the flag for a British brand and are hoping this will be our most successful year yet,” Jack adds.
Jamie concludes: “The launch of the Ultra SL R has been a success and now being involved with the RWPC Team and gaining feedback from the riders’ perspective, will inform our research and development as we continue to lead further innovation and creation of world-class racing machines.”
For further information contact: ribblecycles.co.uk
Ribble Cycles
Unit 1, Barrow Brook Trade Park
Barrow Brook, Clitheroe BB7 9BQ
Monday to Friday: 9am-8pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm
