Cycling: Endura boost squad despite Oliphant exit

West LOTHIAN cycling team Endura Racing has strengthened its squad with the signing of several riders with international experience, but will start the new season with no Scots on its books.

Among the newcomers are the Australian rider Zak Dempster, who posted several wins in the UK last season and ended the season riding for HTC High Road. Another arrival is Jonathan Tiernan Locke, winner of the King of the Mountains at the Tour of Britain in September.

Endura bosses have also retained most of the foreign contingent that delivered several European successes over the course of 2011, and they will account for half the squad.

Those exiting include Capital rider Evan Oliphant. The Scottish road race champion is making the switch to Team Raleigh.

Meanwhile, another city man and Oliphant’s fellow Scotland international, James McCallum, has extended his contract with Rapha Condor Sharp.