SOME of the biggest names in UK cycling have signed for a new Hereford-based professional team.

Sean Yates, who helped Bradley Wiggins to an historic Tour De France triumph, has joined.

English sprinter Adam Blythe, a former WorldTour rider, is another leading name.

Team owner John Wood believes NFTO Pro Cycling will ‘put Hereford ‘firmly on the sporting map’.

“It is going to be the biggest thing that has ever happened for cycling in Herefordshire,” said 44-year-old Wood.

“In footballing terms we are now in the Premiere League and we will be looking forward to races around the country including The Tour Series and the Tour of Britain,” he said.

“The team will be one of the top UK UCI continental tour teams and we are certainly putting Hereford on the cycling and sporting map.”

Wood is a successful businessman who has lived in the Herefordshire since 1992.

He says NFTO Pro Cycling will be based in Hereford and is named after a newly-created clothing brand called Not For The Ordinary.

The team have been seeking a UCI Continental licence and will be looking to compete in both the UK and in the mainland Europe next year.

Wood said: “We will be the first professional cycling team in Hereford and race in domestic and international races.

“The team launches in January and next year is going to be very exciting for the city and the sport.”

"There are some big names involved – and it will get some major exposure on television and in the media.”

“Sean Yates is our race director and he was Team Sky’s sports director when Wiggins become the first British rider to win the Tour De France.”

NFTO held a training day in Hereford earlier this month and have also recruited Britain's Russell Downing from NetApp-Endura and brother Dean Downing from Madison Genesis.

Wood said: “We have a full team of professional riders including some really good talent from Brecon and a couple of local riders.

“We have Sam Williams, from Hereford, and I will also be racing.”

Wood grew up supporting Leeds United and has back a host of local amateur cycling in Herefordshire.

He said: “I have owned a number of businesses in Hereford and have always had a passion for cycling.

He added: “This is good news for the city in a year that will be bringing the Tour De France to the UK.

The Hereford-based NFTO Pro Cycling team: owner and rider John Wood, Adam Blythe, Dean and Russell Downing, Sam Harrison, Matt Rowe, Dale Appleby, James McCallum, Hugh Wilson, James Lewis, Sam Williams, Jon Mould, Ryan Bevis, James Lowsley Williams, Joshua Hunt .