THE NAB Racing team are targeting a podium place when they take to the boards this weekend at the national track championships in Manchester.

The fledgling East Lancashire outfit, in their first season of competition, are hoping to come away with a medal in the team pursuit on Sunday and the Whalley-based squad have riders competing in a host of events across the three days of competition.

And team manager Ross Miller hopes securing a medal on the British stage can lead to a strong winter season with the squad also competing in the prestigious Revolution Series later this season.

“Our best chance of a medal is definitely the team pursuit,” said Miller.

“We have a strong squad riding it and we have been training in Manchester and the guys are looking really good.

“We have had Rob Hayles helping us out with split times and our changes and his feedback has been positive. When an Olympic silver medalist who has huge experience says that then you know you’re in with a chance.

“We are probably among the top three favourites and so hopefully we can get on the podium, I think that is a realistic ambition.”

A national medal would be a huge achievement for Nab Racing who only started out at the beginning of the year.

But the squad, operating on a shoestring budget, have enjoyed fantastic success already this season and are already building for 2015.

Miller added: “We have had a really good season. I think we will end the year in the top 40 teams in the country which is a great achievement in our first season.

“It has been a busy year and it’s great that we are able to compete in the Revolution Series. It means it is non-stop for us really.

“We’ve done well on the road and have totally dominated the British Cycling north west divisional championship series.

“The riders are all really enjoying themselves. That has been the key for us, we want to be a team and we want people to enjoy riding for us.

“All the guys have been riding well and they have been riding as a team. We are very proud of that.”

Miller is also hopeful that time spent in the national spotlight can help attract new investors as they head into next season.

“We do not have a big budget,” said Miller. “We want to become the local team to get behind and support. Our five year plan is to get into the Tour of Britain but to do that we do need investment.

“Hopefully success on the road and track can lead to a few local companies getting involved.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team can contact Miller on 07891 508357.

n NAB Racing team for national championships: David Brearley (points race, individual pursuit, scratch race), Alistair Rutherford (points race, team pursuit, individual pursuit, scratch race), Chris Southworth (points race, scratch race), Julian Pearson (individual pursuit, team pursuit), Scott Burns (Kilo TT, team pursuit), Tim Lawson (team pursuit), Reece Wood (team pursuit).