History
Agiskoviner was formed in November 2004 by Gary Kristensen MBE after a split developed in the Prestige VC racing team. The concept of a senior road team underpinned and supported by a normal club structure was developed with major input from Mark Pettitt and Ken Wingate. Sponsorship came via Peter Cole in the form of Viner Bikes, Agisko Natural Sports Nutrition and ReArtu kit, all sourced from Italy.
The Club's original intent was to construct a senior road team to compete in the then newly created 'South East Series' of road race events, promulgated by the Surrey Cycle Racing League, and it is a reflection of the club spirit that may of the original senior team still ride for agiskoviner. The original line up were: Manager and rider - Mark Pettitt (moved away to Bristol area), Brett Perez (now resides in Australia), Darrell Pembroke (still riding), Adrian Goatley (still riding), James Holland-Leader (still riding), Rhys Gruffydd (retired), Chris Richardson (still riding), Darren Moore (retired to join Police Force), Ashley Lambert (moved back to Zimbabwe), John McClelland (still riding) and Joel Stewart (still riding).
There was also an Under 23 team, whose primary aim was to ride in Belgium as often as possible in order to develop riders for the senior squad or to go onto bigger and better things. Key riders who benefitted from this set up include former U23 British Time Trial Champion and Dave Rayner supported rider Dan Davies and a rider who was highly successful over in Belgium, Gyles Wingate.
Similarly, a youth and junior squad emerged with names that are now well known throughout the UK cycling community for being at the top end of their sport, such as Andrew Fenn, Toby Meadows, Alex Wise and Tom Yeatman.
To keep the 'testers' happy, a time trial squad was also assembled with a mixture of experience and enthusiasm in the shapes of: Mike Broadwith, Laurence Harding, Paul Haggerty, Brian Evans, Geoff Weir, Andrew Girling, David Thomas and John Glaysher.
As word spread that a new, modern, inclusive and friendly club was looking for riders and team members, more and more people from across the South and South East of England came on board. Each rider was closely vetted to ensure the correct personality, attitude and commitment were present, a key part of the membership process that is still in place to this day. Within 12 months the club had over 100 members and a Cyclo X interest was in place with Garry Ashton-Coulton and Steve Price, who went on to win the highly competitive London Cyclo Cross League in 2005/06.
During our first season we won more than 10 National and World medals at junior, senior and masters levels across multi disciplines. We won the Surrey League Team Championships, the South East Region Championships (James H-L), the National 25 mile Junior Team Chmpionships and left a vivid and highly competitive 'light blue' mark across the South in 2005. We also promoted over 20 open events.
To be continued.................................
