EAST Lancashire cyclist Ian Wilkinson has joined Raleigh for 2014.

Wilkinson spent this season with Team UK Youth but the decision of team boss Nigel Mansell, the former Formula 1 world champion, to withdraw his sponsorship led to the squad’s demise.

Barnoldswick’s Wilkinson, 34, ended the year ranked as the seventh best cyclist in Britain and said: “It’s looking like a fantastic set-up and I can’t wait to continue this year’s good form.”