Competition Winners - March
- The lucky competition winners are as follows: (you will receive an email shortly.
Competition Winners
For those who weren't fortunate enough, we have a little gift for you, pick one of the following:
- The lucky competition winners are as follows:
Direct Nutrition Announce End of Team Raleigh Sponsorship.
At the end of 2015, the sponsorship of Team Raleigh by Direct Nutrition comes to an amicable end.
Jo Evans of Direct Nutrition stated "We are pleased with the year we have had with Team Raleigh. The team has done extremely well again against fierce competition and we are proud of our association. We wanted to make a point that we were partnering with the longest established cycling brands - with a fantastic history - as one of the longest established Nutrition companies with products we have trialled over almost 20 years in the industry. Having made this point, we really want to sponsor other sports and widen our sponsored athlete programme into all fields including Body-building, Triathlon, Rugby, football as well as cycling."
"We continue to focus on a key range of supplements to compliment any athletes or dieter's nutrition programme. Goo Nutrition is Good Nutrition whatever level you are at and we provide the best and most innovative supplement range available today."
We wish Team Raleigh a good year with their new Nutritional Partners.
Stack Deal competition winner announced!
Congratulations to James Robinson – winner of the recent Direct Nutrition competition to win one of our fabulous stack deals!
James who chose one of the Raleigh GAC cycling stacks as his prize said; “I’m absolutely over the moon to have won the competition. I use the BCAA when I’m cycling and it really helps alleviate the soreness in my muscles!”
Keep up to date with all the news and competitions on our Facebook and Twitter pages. You may be our next lucky winner!
Raleigh Gac Tour of Britain 2015
Team Raleigh GAC have just completed the 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain, undoubtedly their biggest race of the year, and Team Raleigh’s sixth appearance at the Tour of Britain.
This year’s team consisted of; Evan Oliphant, Steve Lampier, Morgan Kneisky, Andy Hawdon, George Pym and Karol Domagalski.
SUNDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 1 BEAUMARIS TO WREXHAM (177.7 KM)
All the riders put in a solid performance in the Aviva Tour of Britain Stage 1 on Sunday 6th September -. Having eased their way through the inaugural stage, the team were now looking to be more proactive throughout the coming stages until the final stage on Sunday 13th September.
MONDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 2 CLITHEROR TO COLNE (159.3 KM)
Stage 2 saw the riders tackling the gruelling ride between Clitheroe and Colne. This saw the team give an excellent, solid performance.
TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 3 COCKERMOUTH TOFLOORS CASTLE (216 KM)
This stage gave the team the opportunity to cover the challenging 216km ride from Cockermouth to Floors Castle in Kelso. This would see Scottish rider Evan Oliphant on ‘home ground’ for the first time in the Tour. Evan, alongside team mates Karol Domagalski and Steve Lampier were all in the front group for much of the race which finished with a bunch sprint. It was a great ride by all the team who all reached the finish line safely after looking after themselves and each other well throughout the race.
WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 4 COCKERMOUTH TOFLOORS CASTLE (217.4 KM)
Stage 4 of the tour would see the Aviva Tour of Britain visit Edinburgh for the stage start in Holyrood Park and riding the 217.4 km to Blyth. Here the team received a very warm welcome and great support, non-more so than local rider Evan Oliphant. The team tackled the challenging fourth stage with a more aggressive and proactive strategy and were close to being part of the major breaks. This saw Team Raleigh GAC move up the stage's team results table – ahead of Madison Genesis and Team Wiggins.
THURSDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 5 PRUDHOE TO HARTSIDE (166.2 KM)
This stage saw Morgan Kneisky have a fantastic ride in the five-strong breakaway group – which set social media buzzing and gave the team great television exposure. But, 130km into the race, Morgan suffered a puncture, however Morgan had done his job and the mantle was then taken up by Karol Domagalski and Evan Oliphant who both finished with very respectable placings – closely followed by Andy Hawdon. Unfortunately, Steve Lampier was forced to retire from the race after battling illness throughout the week.
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 6 STOKE ON TRENT TO NOTTINGHAM (227.4 KM)
The riders faced a tough days racing in stage 6, the race included several of the Peak Districts famous climbs. For Team Raleigh GAC though, this also meant that they were on their ‘home ground’. They would be racing through the East Midlands and finishing the 227.4km ride at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham. Nottingham of course being Raleigh’s home city.
Team Raleigh GAC Director Cherie Pridham said: “We were super motivated for today’s race and were really looking forward to flying the flag for the team and all our sponsors and supporters as we made our way from Stoke, through Derbyshire and into Nottingham.” .
SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 7 FAKENHAM TO IPSWICH (227.4 KM)
With just two days remaining in the Aviva Tour of Britain 2015, the Team Raleigh GAC riders would today face a tough ride of 227.4km from Fakenham to Ipswich. The team had a good day’s racing and were fully prepared for the final day of the tour.
SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER – STAGE 8 – THE FINAL STAGE - THE LONDON STAGE (86.8 KM)
The final day of the Aviva Tour of Britain saw an incredible stage in London with massive crowds watching the 14 laps of a 6.4km circuit around some of the most famous streets in the world. The route started and finished on Regent Street St James, it took in the popular tourist attractions of Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the Strand and Whitehall over multiple laps, giving spectators a great chance to see the world's best riders in their capital city. Evan Oliphant, Morgan Kneisky, Karol Domagalski and George Pym were all geared up for the final push to the finish and did not disappoint. A break got away just after the first sprint points and Morgan flew the flag for the team. When that came back, another break formed containing Karol. They gained a 20 second lead but it was always going to come down to a big spring finish. Morgan sprinted home in 26th place and Karol, Evan and George all finished safely. Team Raleigh GAC Race Director Cherie Pridham said: “It has been one of the hardest tours for a while and I am extremely proud of all the guys who battled hard in tough circumstances. It has been a great week and the end to a very good season for us. I would like to thank you to all our sponsors and partners for their amazing support throughout the week.”
Direct Nutrition are very proud to be the official Nutritional partner to Raleigh GAC and are delighted to have fuelled the riders throughout the Aviva Tour of Britain 2015 with their supplements, especially the team’s favourite products;
ELITE SERIES HYDRATE
Direct Nutrition at the Derby Triathlon
Direct Nutrition are proud to have sponsored the City of Derby triathlon this weekend.
Nearly 300 competitors were present which included 100 junior competitors.
From Direct Nutrition were Mark Foster, Roland Szonyi, Amrit Pabla, Ross and Remila McManus. They gave to each competitor a bottle of Hydrate after the race “although competitors would have benefited from taking it before too” says Amrit Pabla. “Maintaining hydration levels in these events is really important for performance and enjoyment of the race”.
The weather was perfect for the day – without a cloud in the sky at the 7:30 am start. The event was well run by Huub Events and commentary on the day was by Dean Jackson. People crossing the line were challenged but said they really enjoyed the event.
Ross McManus if Direct Nutrition stated “It is about supporting local people just getting involved in sport. Most ages and ability levels are here today and most are seeking personal best and achievement. But it is good seeing people and juniors just keeping active.”
Cycling Fever!
This year’s tour runs from 4th – 26th July and is already off to a thrilling start!
As always during the Tour series, cycling fever is running high!
Whether it’s the riders competing in the Tour or the Raleigh GAC riders competing in the Elite Road or Circuit series, they all know the importance of being properly hydrated before and during a race and the absolute necessity of recovery afterwards.
Ensuring you stay hydrated is not only necessary for your body to function correctly, it is also fundamental for you to stay focused; a 2% loss in hydration equals a 10% loss in performance. This could be the difference in finishing in a podium place!
We all know physical activity is thirsty work, and how it leaves us feeling when we become dehydrated. Dehydration occurs due to a loss of fluid from the body (through sweating, perspiration and urination) which is not being replaced as quickly as it is being lost, causing you to become tired and fatigued. This then affects your performance levels,
When exercising our bodies lose fluids through perspiration. We not only lose water when we exercise, we also lose important minerals (also known as electrolytes) such as potassium, chloride and sodium.
Having the correct hydration is the key to powering on and winning the race. For the Team Raleigh GAC riders that success comes from taking the Direct Nutrition Elite Hydrate. This is a tried and tested formula used by athletes for over 10 years. This drink mix contains an electrolyte blend that includes those lost minerals so taking the Elite Hydrate enables the riders to replenish their body's water and electrolyte levels when training and racing.
Here are some of the Raleigh GAC rider’s comments about the Elite Hydrate and why they like it so much!
Steve Lampier 'Elite hydrate berry mix is the bomb! During a race Elite Hydrate Berry is my preferred flavour to drink but I have one water one berry hydrate during training and the last part with that keeps energy levels tip top.'
Liam Stones 'Elite Hydrate Zesty Lemon & Lime flavour is my favourite. It's probably the best on the bike hydration drink I have ever used! Not only does it taste great but it's so refreshing and doesn't leave you with any more thirst or a horrible aftertaste that so many of these products can do. I've always suffered during racing with stomach cramps after consuming so much of these similar products but since using Direct Nutrition’s powders I've had no trouble what so ever, which leaves me with one less thing I have to worry about when racing! It's a reliable and great tasting product.'
Karol Domagalski 'Elite hydrate Orange allows me to have proper hydration of the body during the long hard races. Being properly hydrated is absolutely critical.'
Sam Lowe 'Elite Hydrate Berry is one of my favourite Direct Nutrition products. The thing I like most about all of Direct Nutrition products is that they are all great tasting products. They provide everything needed in terms of nutrition for before, during and after a ride/race. Taking the Direct Nutrition products means that you’re always fuelled well before and during a ride/race and can recover properly afterwards as well.'
So you’ve been properly hydrated and riding for hours, battled the hills, powered through the race and sprinted across the finish to take the yellow jersey! You have pushed your body and muscles to their limits, now your recovery is key!
Post-race/workout is the crucial time to replenish your bodies Glycogen levels, to stop muscles from breaking down as well as repair and re-build them. The critical time or ‘post workout opportunity window’ to take your recovery product is the first 30 minutes immediately after your race, training or exercise.
This is when team Raleigh GAC take their Direct Nutrition Elite Post-Workout Restore and Replenish. This has been specifically formulated to include a Phase Release Carbohydrate Blend (Hydrolysed Waxy Maize Starch, Dextrose & Maltodextrin); a Vital-Flex Blend (Collagen Hydrolysate); Glutamine Complex Blend (Glutamine Peptides, L-Glutamine); Creatine Monohydrate and BCAA 2:1:1 (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine).
We have also encompassed a Vitamin and Mineral Premix containing Electrolyte Blend and Vitamins. Remember the hydrate information about our bodies losing important minerals as well as fluid through perspiration (electrolytes)? Well, losing these essential vitamins and minerals (such as Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron and Sodium) can have consequences such as muscle cramps and fatigue. Direct Nutrition Elite Post Workout has the right amount of the above minerals to replenish what our body needs by helping muscle recovery, reducing Cramps and Fatigue. It is also proven that Magnesium and Iron contribute to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, that Calcium and Phosphorus contribute to normal energy yielding metabolism and that Chloride contributes to normal digestion by production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Team Raleigh GAC riders know exactly how important recovery is to their training, racing and winning! Here’s what some of them have to say about the Direct Nutrition Post Workout Restore & Replenish;
Andy Hawdon 'I like all the products we use and I'm not easily pleased when it comes to nutrition so that's an indication of how great the products are. If I had to pick one product as a favourite I'd say the Elite Post Workout Restore and Replenish recovery shake, it mixes well, tastes great and most of all is effective at getting recovery started as soon as the hard work is done, a shake after training and racing followed later by good food leaves me with no muscle soreness the following day.'
Brad Morgan 'The Post Workout Restore & Replenish has everything you need to make a solid start to recovering after a hard day on the bike. Strawberry flavours tastes great too!
George Pym 'My favourite Direct Nutrition product is the Post-Workout Restore & Replenish. The best thing about this product is the inclusion of important vitamins and minerals that the body craves after a hard training session or race. I actually mix this with milk, instead of water, as this seems to be even better for my recovery. I have this as soon as possible after my training session/race.'
Morgan Kneisky (Three times world champion and current Madison Track champion) 'The Elite Post-Workout Restore & Replenish strawberry deluxe is a must for me just after the race. It tastes great and really works!'
Ian Wilkinson 'I just love the Post Workout Restore & Replenish recovery drink. It’s sometimes hard to get the right nutrition in straight after a hard effort but the Direct Nutrition products makes it easy because they are so tasty!'
Whether you’re aiming to be the next Chris Froome or Bradley Wiggins, yellow jersey winner or king of the mountains or just cycling for the pure enjoyment, remember that hydration and recovery are essential!
