A CYCLING team from County Durham is on track for success after bagging wins with the backing of new sponsors.

The 13-strong Cycleways/SG Petch team may only be midway through the season but already they have secured winning titles.

Racing for Newton Aycliffe-based Cycleways Sports and Leisure, team leader James Alder won the iMann Road Race in May while team mate Craig Anderson, of Spennymoor, won the Croft Summer Circuit series yesterday (July 12).

Sponsor and Cycleways owner Colin Bell, 55, flew the flag for the team at the same event by grasping the over 50s title and fellow cyclist Collin Humphrey, of Newcastle, came fifth in the Regional Road Race Championships.

Although the team has been up and running for three years, the majority of its members joined this year when they gained sponsorship from North-East car dealership SG Petch.

Mr Alder, of Bishop Auckland, said: "For our first year it has been very good. We have been noticed around the country and have had interest from other riders.

"The sponsorship has been vital because it's given us the opportunity to race every weekend, it has helped us to cover the cost of our kit, race entries and travel."

Aged between 15 and 55 and hailing from as far north as Newcastle and south as York, the amateur bikers will continue to race every weekend until September.

Two riders will also compete in the national Cyclocross series later this year.