THE Cape Verde national cycling team are preparing for next month's world championships with a training camp in the New Forest

The six team members from the collection of islands off Africa are here for ten days.

The squad also plan to cycle around the Isle of Wight – twice - before heading to Glasgow for the competition, from August 3 to 13.

Daily Echo: The Cape Verde national team training in the New Forest

Dave Savage from Fareham, who competed in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, is leading the camp and said: "The Cape Verde team are not here to make up the numbers. They’re very talented riders and they mean business. The New Forest training camp will give them the perfect preparation.

"The cultural differences are vast as will be the terrain but it’s important for the team to adapt as soon as possible ready for the biggest event of their lives.

"The New Forest is so iconic, and I can’t think of a more ideal training location for them. 

"Challenging trials to quick routes, there is something for every one of our cyclists in the Forest."