At KMC we are strong believers in long-term athlete development. 2020 will see the launch of our partnership with Team Zappi. A world class junior cycle team who have seen huge success and development into professional cycling. As part of our partnership we will be providing nutritional support to all of the riders. Including: Race-day nutrition, training nutrition, advice, guidance and help in building their portfolio of success.
We look forward to working with the team and forging a long-lasting partnership by supporting the next generation of riders. Let's go team Zappi!
Building World Class Athletes
Zappi is top class UK junior race tea, who really hold their own, even on the international podium.
Ran by ex cyclists and professional coaches. Flavio Zappi, Paul Qartermann. they help to build a foundation for the young riders racing career. They maintain close interest in the team, overseeing the race calendar, rider development and lifestyle. They have a strong stance on lifestyle, ethical racing and training, and seek to instill good habits that riders will carry with them throughout their lives.
Over the past 4 years they have an established international reputation for producing talent and have achieved severalpodiums and many top 10s in some of the most prestigious European UCI and National races.
Their portfolio says it all! Just to name a few:
• Mark Donovan - Sunweb
• Charlie Quarterman - Trek Segafredo
• Tom Pidcock - Team Wiggins (competed in European races w/ Zappi in 2017), TPR, Trinity Racing.
• Callum MacLeod - Canyon Bloor Homes
• Ben Healy - Team Wiggins, Trinity Racing
• Jacques Sauvagnargues - Team Wiggins, Trinity Racing
• Arche Ryan - Jumbo Visma Development
• Tom Couzens - Zappi Racing U23
• Mason Hollyman - Zappi Racing U23
NEW KIT!
The 2020 Team...
From Jonny Revis - Team Manager Junior & DS
We have chosen a well-balanced squad of 7 riders, including 2 riders who have just stepped up from youth racing (Owen Lightfoot and Matt Malone). We have a good base of UCI level experience, which will be essential for us to compete at the highest level. This will include riders who specialise on the hillier/mountainous terrain, the punchier racing in Belgium and Holland and also in the race against the clock.
Matt Kingston has experience in challenging at stage races, Sam Freeman and Luca D'Arcy Willett are well suited to the hills and our final 2 riders (to be announced over the coming week!) will add stage race leadership and time trialling prowess to the mix.
We cant wait to get started.
Team Members
More details to follow soon...
Name: Jack Rootkin-Gray
Home Town: Solihull
Previous Team: Solihull CC
Year of birth: 2002
Best 2019 Road Results:
Assen Junior Tour – 1st GC
Trofeo Saarland Nations Cup – 8th final stage
Boucles d'loise – 2nd GC
Best TT Result 2019:
Trofeo Saarland Nations Cup TTT – 3rd
Assen TT – 3rd
Boucles d'loise TT – 3rd
Type of rider: All round/versatile
As one of a small number of riders on the Great British academy squad, Jack splits his time between representing GB on the road and track with ZJRTs European road race calendar. An accomplished time triallist and with a nose for a breakaway, Jack had standout results in a number of international races in 2019.
Name: Matt Kingston
Home town - Barton under Needwood
Previous team RST Cycle division RT
DOB 2002
Best results:
1st last stage of Assen
2nd overall Assen
3rd on stage 4 Junior Tour of Wales
Best TT Result:
4th in Assen stage 4
Type of rider: Breakaway rider
Who inspires you: Tom Pidcock
Where did you first start racing: Curborough sprint course, Lichfield
How do you fuel for racing: I use the chocolate coated Kendal mint cake bar before and at the beginning of the race. Then I use the Kendal mint cake energy gels for fast release energy and easy to take near the end of the race. My favourite is citrus and mint.
We were lucky to have Matt join us, with a number of other top-class teams keen to secure his services for 2020. As a very strong and physical rider, he is adaptable to most conditions and has developed a reputation for getting into good moves at races.
Euan Backus
Home Town: Oxford
Previous Team: ZeroBC
Year of Birth: 2002
Best Road Result 2019
ORRL CRC Road Race - 1st
Best TT results
National Junior 25mile TT Champion.
Type of rider - roleur/time triallist
With a number of national youth and junior titles under his belt in 2018 and 2019, Euan will bring a big engine to the team, perfect for the flatter Belgian crosswinds and time trials. He will be looking to defend his National 25 mile TT championship title.
Euan Backus
Owen Lightfoot
Home Town: Oakham
Previous Team: Bourne Wheelers
Year of birth: 2003
Best Road Results 2019
1st final stage of the IOM Youth Tour,
2nd overall in the IOM Youth Tour
3rd in the Minehead Grand Prix Youth National
3rd in the final stage at Assen
Best TT result 2019:
11th at Assen
Who inspires you: Julien Alaphillipe
Where did you first start racing: Mallory Park Circuit
How do you fuel for racing? Porridge pre race, KMC hydration as a drink pre race and for the race. I have the KMC NRG bars at the start of the race and the KMC energy gels in the last hour.
A prolific winner at youth level in 2019, Owen has the ability to compete at the highest level over the next 2 years as a junior. 2020 may well be about finding his feet in the junior peloton, but dont be surprised to see his name at the pointy end of races.
Matt Malone
Home town: Walsall,Birmingham
Previous team: RST/ Cycle Division
DOB: 16/04/2003
Best road results 2019:
9th in the national championships,
6th North West Youth Tour Hilly stage,
16th GC Junior tour of Assen,
5 solo breakaway wins in regional races
Best TT result:
AeroCoach Junior Midland Champion 2019
Type of rider: Likes hard hilly stages and I like to be in breakaways
After clear development through youth racing, Matt is joining us for his 1st of 2 years as a junior with some solid results under his belt, and a desire to keep improving. His dedication and enthusiasm to the sport is clear and we expect his upward trajectory to continue. His season started early in late January, highlighting the drive he has.
Name: Samuel Freeman
Home town: Portsmouth
Previous Team: Hargroves-Montezumas Rt
Year of birth: 2002
Best 2019 Road Results
PNE RR -1st
Monmouth National- 11th
Assen - 12th gc
Best TT Result 2019
I havent really time-trialled!
Type of Rider: All rounder/climber
Who inspires you: Chris Froome
Where did you first start racing: Mountbatten Velodrome, Portsmouth
How do you fuel for racing? Pasta pre race.
KMC Hydration, gels and bars during the race.
KMC Recovery powder post race.
Sam comes to us after another winter of Cyclocross racing at National level, with a clear focus on the hillier races in the road calendar for 2020. After winning a few races last year and being close to a top 10 in the national junior series race at Monmouth, he is well set for a busy and varied 2020 with the team.
Luca D'Arcy Willett
Home Town: Watlington
Previous Team: ZeroBC
Year of Birth: 2002
After a difficult 2019, Luca is hoping to get back to the form he showed as a youth rider, where he consistently improved to the point he was challenging for wins in the National Hill Climb and criteriums. Gained valuable experience at the Junior Tour of Austria UCI 2.1 in 2019.
