Raleigh will once again have a Continental licence for 2013. Much has changed since the beginning of 2012, however. The team now has a new co-sponsor on board, Oakley, whose funds have been used to strengthen the team. Behind the scenes, the new injection of cash has allowed the team to hire its first two coaching staff to support rider development. And it also means the team can continue to fund a scout, whose focus for 2013 will continue to be on the United States.
The squad
It's the squad that has seen the most signifcant changes since 2012. It has expanded from 12 to 18 riders, giving the team greater strength in depth and allowing it to compete in more races this season.
Both Tobyn Horton and Simon Holt have departed for Team UK Youth, but the team have recruited eight new riders to bolster the squad. The focus was on recruiting young talents rather than proven winners, but with riders like Guillaume Boivin on the squad, the team is confident that the promise will be converted into results in 2013.
The team's main focus in 2013 will be the 2.1 stage races of the Tour of Britain and the Tour of Utah. However, it is also hoped that strong performances early on in the season might yield invites to more prestigious races. In particular, the team is aiming for invites to the Amgen of Tour of California and the USA Procycling Challenge.
Absolute leaders
Boivin's signature was a real coup for the team. At the age of 23 he has already blossomed into an exceptional sprinter who has the talent to make a real mark this season. He'll be Raleigh's number one man this season.
Briggsy will remain an important rider for Raleigh, despite the arrival of Boivin. With an expanded race calendar, he'll have plenty of opportunities to rider for himself, as well as acting as a lead-out man deluxe for Boivin when required.
Protected riders
Oliphant was in the thick of the action last season and the team's most important GC rider. With the squad's GC capabilities strengthened this season, Oliphant may have more opportunities to go for individual stage glory rather than conserving his GC position. His experience will also be key to the development of riders like Ruzin and Mannion.
Bennett is another bright young thing. He's an extremely capable sprinter but also very strong on the classics. He'll therefore be a key man for the team on the cobbles in particular.
Another youngster, Mannion will be given a lot of responsibility in the team. He's a good all-rounder. He can climb and and perform strongly in the hills. But he also has the potential to become a strong time triallist too, and for this reason the team will give him opportunities to go for the overall classification in a number of US races this season.
As with Mannion, Ruzin will enjoy a lot of responsibility with the team, one of the key reasons he was attracted to Raleigh. He is neo-pro but already looks like the squad's strongest climber, so he'll be Raleigh's main man at altitude.
The arrival of Tennant means the team finally has the ability to challenge in races against the clock. He's also a good puncheur, so he may also be able to make the odd challenge for GC too.
Luxury team mates
Holohan excelled in 2012, his most memorable performance coming when he was narrowly beaten into second place in the British Road Race Championships. He was used predominantly as a breakaway rider last season, a role which brought him three KOM jerseys and plenty of time in the limelight. He'll likely have a similar role this season.
Lloyd is a fine rider in his own right and the term luxury team mate probably does him a dis-service. His experience will mean he'll often play the role of road captain but will doubtless get his own opportunities to shine too.
Sulzberger's was Briggs' key lead-out man last season and will continue to have a key role in the sprints.
Holloway took two victories last season, proving himself a valuable asset to the team as a sprinter, lead-out man and breakaway threat. Expect to see him in the action again in 2013, especially on the US circuit.
McNally was signed for this prowess on the cobbles but with his good flat-road speed, also expect to see him on the front of the Raleigh lead-out train.
Team mates
Hampton was hampered by injury last season but still proved himself to be a capable rider when given the opportunity, taking a stage in the Giro della Valle d'Aosta and taking 8th overall in the Tour of Britain. His opportunities might be more restricted this season with a stronger squad but he'll be more than capable of stepping up to the plate if needed.
Sparling had an incredible 2012 season, taking two victories in the Tour de Beauce, a second in the Linclon GP and a third in the Canadian Championships. His opportunities are likely to be more limited this season but his all round ability will may that an opportunity is probably always just around the corner for this Canadian strongman.
Janssen was a solid unfussy workhorse in 2012 and will continue as a domestique in 2013.
Young riders
Holmes had a solid season as a domestique in 2012 and is likely to fulfill a similar role in 2013 as he continues his development.
Townshend had such a strong season in 2012 it's hard to believe he's still just 19 years old. He took a stage in the Tour of the Gila, came 5th overall in Le Triptyque des Monts et Chateaux and took no less than three KOM jerseys. It will be hard to beat that this season, but he'll no doubt be a prominent figure in breakaways once again.
Perez has been earmarked as a future sprint great. But he'll need a lot of hard work and determination to get there. His duties are more likely to involve bottle-carrying than sprinting for his first season in the pro-ranks.
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