Southampton’s DHC Racing wants to produce the next British cycling superstar.

The newly set-up Woolston-based outfit have set their targets very high indeed, with dreams of nurturing the next legends of the sport, like Tour De France winners Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

DHC are a phoenix club of DH Cycle Sports Racing Team which was made obsolete in 2010 after the closure of the bike shop it was affiliated to.

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Above: DHC line-up outside their sponsors Cutting Edge Barber Shop in Sholing. Picture credit: Julian Porter - www.julianporter.com

But they are back stronger than ever, after setting up in May, and hope to relive the glory of their former years, in which they were crowned British Cycling Region Team Champions three years in a row from 2007.

“It’s all new and it’s going awesome,” said directeur sportif Dave Harding, who played a vital part in the team’s resurrection. “We’re back off the ground and we want to get the club back to its former glory.

“It’s brilliant; we have a few sponsors onboard. Cutting Edge Barbers are the main sponsors.

“What we want to be able to do is help young riders out because road cycling is really hard to get into.”

DHC have already two hot prospects among their ranks in Edward Rowe and Matthew Downie, both of whom Harding is tipping for big things.

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Above: hot prospect Matthew Downie. Picture credit: Julian Porter - www.julianporter.com.

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Above: Another starlet Edward Rowe. Picture credit: Julian Porter - www.julianporter.com.

Already, Downie has recently picked up a bronze medal in the British Cycling's Regional Men’s Junior Road Race Championships.

With a team of 19 riders already in place on the competitive side, Harding revealed that a cycling club has been set-up for riders to come and enjoy the sport on a leisurely basis.

The 48-year-old said: “What we are working is expanding the team and have started a club to run alongside it.

“The club is up and running now and it will give people the opportunity to ride together and enjoy cycling. It is a place for more relaxed run and training rides.”

Harding wants to welcome new members to the “DHC family” and is encouraging any keen riders to contact him on: dhcracing@yahoo.co.uk or visit their website dhcracing.com.

DHC have also announced that they will be hosting a charity bike ride to raise cash for TACT, a voluntary agency that deals in foster and adoption services in the UK.

Below: DHC in road action. Picture credit: Julian Porter - www.julianporter.com

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