Cotic owner Cy Turner and Cotic Bontrager rider Kate Potter do their best to stop the Cotic Soda floating away

Not content with launching a pair of new frames at the weekend's Cycle show in London, UK manufacturer Cotic also announced the formation of its first race team. Well, we say "team", although in the true spirit of starting small, Team Cotic Bontrager will have just the one rider for 2007.

That rider is three-time Sleepless in the Saddle solo winner and twice NPS XC championship podiumer (which clearly isn't a word, but we're in a hurry) Kate Potter. Kate's also co-owner of, and guide for, MTB holiday company A Quick Release.

As the team name suggests, Kate's co-sponsor is Bontrager Wheelworks and Components, adding another facet to the existing Cotic/Bontrager relationship. Cotic's frames certainly carry a Bontrager influence in terms of construction, you can get various Bontrager parts with your Cotic and the newly-announced RoadRat complete bike is largely kitted out with Bonty bits.

Everyone involved is, of course, very happy with the new team (although we're happy to see that none have gone on record as being "stoked" or even "amped" about it). Cotic owner Cy Turner says:

"I've known Kate for a long time, and right from the start I could see her potential. It's great to be able to help push her further along in her career offering the support that she deserves, and when the guys at Bontrager agreed to co-sponsor the team it was just the dream ticket. I couldn't be happier with the set-up we've put together, and I want to thank all our sponsors for getting behind us so firmly."

Kate comments, "I'm very excited about being part of Cotic Bontrager. I first met Cy when I started mountain biking and he was in the middle of developing the Soul. Since then Cy has been a great influence on my development as a mountain bike rider, but more importantly has always beein interested in my racing. I'm also grateful to be co-sponsored by Bontrager, a company and a man who over the years has contributed a great deal to both the cross-country and endurance racing scene in the UK."

And finally, Bontrager UK spokesperson Andrew Gowan says, "Cy is a great guy to work with and is very enthusiastic and proactive in promoting both the sport and industry - it's great to be able to work with a cool 'cult' brand! Kate is also a very easy person to work with, and along with being a classy and successful rider is also a brilliant promoter of the sport, always friendly and approachable - even pre-race!"

Kate will be racing a titanium Cotic Soda kitted out with bontrager bar, stem, wheels, tyres, cranks, seat and seatpost, Pace RC39 forks and SRAM transmission. She'll also be using Crank Brothers pedals, tools and pumps, NIteRider lights, Pace waterproof jackets and Nike Cycling shoes and casual wear. Torq Fitness will provide coaching and sports nutrition. And watch out for a new lightweight, short-travel FS frame from Cotic designed specifically for long-distance racing...