Sabbath to sponsor young cycling talents

New team headed by Flavio Zappi

Adam Tranter

Published: December 21, 2009 at 11:45 am

Sabbath Bicycles are to sponsor a new road squad of five up-and-coming young riders, headed by former Italian professional Flavio Zappi.

Zappi, who raced in the Giro d’Italia three times and came 12th in the 1984 Milan San Remo, will both manage and ride for Team Zappi's.

The aim is to develop young riders in the Oxford area, where Zappi, 49, owns a cafe. “It’s very difficult for young riders to gain experience and develop in the UK, as there’s not the culture of road racing as a youth sport here, unlike in France and Italy,” he said.

The team will ride Sabbath’s Monday’s Child bike, equipped with SRAM Force. They plan to take part in Belgium inter-club races and stage races in Italy, as well as some of the UK Premier Calendar series.

The roster is: Dexter Gardias; Sam Parker; Tom Yeatman; Jack Kirk; Will Fox; Flavio Zappi (rider/manager); Tom Kirk (rider/assistant manager).

Greg Roche, MD of Sabbath Bicycles said: “We like the ethos of Zappi’s and it’ll be interesting to see how the riders mature with high-level racing and advice.”

Dexter gardias and the new sabbath monday’s child bike: dexter gardias and the new sabbath monday’s child bike - Adam Tranter

Dexter Gardias and the new Sabbath Monday’s Child bike