Ribble race team getting set for new season

And they have enlisted the help of leading UK healthcare test company Medichecks to help them.

Medichecks has been an official sponsor to Ribble for three years and for the upcoming season is providing Endurance Fit blood tests to help its athletes track their health and wellbeing.

They also supplied PCR tests to the team’s riders to check for coronavirus before their crucial pre-season training camp.

The 70-strong squad took the swab-to-mouth tests so they could join a Covid-secure bubble clear of the virus. Further PCR tests will be carried out during the season.

Team riders – whose key riders include Preston-based Cameron Jeffers, Matt Gibson, Dan Bigham, and James Shaw – will take the Medichecks Endurance Fit blood test during this year.

Ribble-Weldtite are most interested in monitoring riders’ Vitamin D, iron and cortisol levels through the tests.

The team’s director of operations Jack Rees said: “Our partnership with Medichecks and the tests it provides are invaluable.

“We could host the training camp in a safe environment and with peace of mind. We did some race replication, simulated race scenarios, tested communications between riders and vehicles, discussed race plans and explored individual riders’ programmes.

“The Endurance Fit blood tests are important to help our cyclists keep a check on factors such as training and nutrition, which is extremely useful as we look towards the new season.”