Existing in the cycling arena for only two seasons, the African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team has significantly developed from a small domestic project meant to support the careers of young cyclists to one of best equipped and performing teams in competitions held in Australia.

Seeking for further improvement, as they have visibly strengthened their roster for 2014 and managed to attract some new sponsors, African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team in now applying for the UCI Continental license, to make their presence at the home ground even more significant.

They are hoping that 2014 year turns out to be the most successful in the team’s short history, as they are set to take on the full National Road Series calendar and are willing to participate in some events of a higher importance, like Jayco Herald-Sun Tour and other UCI 2.1 races, should they be handed the UCI Continental license.

While the main goal of African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team remains the same – it is developing young riders’ careers, contributing to society beyond racing and ensuring the healthy environment for all cyclists, the strengthened roster, new sponsors and longer racing calendar should only help in achieving these objectives.  

"It's with committed and passionate backers like African Wildlife Safaris CEO Stephen Cameron and progressive cycling industry heavyweights that cycling in Australia can thrive and strive to produce the next generation of professional racers," team manager and co-founder Steven Waite said.

African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team stay true with their goal to provide the young riders with a proper support to develop their careers, as their roster for 2014 season consists of the cyclists who are under 23 years-of-age in over 50%.

The 13-man 2014 AWSCT roster includes eight riders from 2013, Jeremy Cameron, Rhys Gillett, Jarryd Jones, Daniel Nelson, Zachary Quinn, James Rendall, Tyler Spurrell and Darcy Woolley. The five new signings for the team, Trevor Spencer, Jason Spencer, Nathan Elliot, Shaun O'Callaghan and Kyle Thompson, all join with the aim to build on the family-like bond and efficiency amongst the team which culminated in success in 2013.

New riders for the team should strengthen African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team roster fundamentally, as the Sports Director Joel Paerson expects them to provide the team with an additional depth and quality.

"Jason and Trevor Spencer are proven race winners and both have an attacking style of racing and GC potential. Nathan Elliot is a quiet guy who has one of the biggest engines going around proven in the recent Grafton-Inverell where he finished in third place," Pearson said.

"Shaun O'Callaghan joined us as a result of our end of year training and selection camp and despite his quiet manner will turn some heads this year. These four will complement Rhys Gillett who has proven in 2013 he can win on the NRS circuit, building a very competitive climbing GC team." 

African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team continues its commitment to safety with naming sponsor African Wildlife Safaris extending its long relationship with charity partner, The Amy Gillett Foundation, to ensure a safe environment for all cyclists.

Even previously being one of the best equipped teams in the domestic racing arena, African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team, previously riding on Giant bicycles, has also announced new a partnership with Cannondale Bicycles who are returning domestically to sponsorship after a three year absence.

The team kicked off 2014 at the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic in Geelong and will next be seen at Cycling Australia National Road Championships in Ballarat. The full racing schedule for 2014 will depend on its application for a UCI Continental licence.