A new professional cycling team has been launched in Sussex.

The 13-strong Team DFL is based in Brighton and includes Tony Gibb, a Commonwealth Games bronze and World Championship silver medallist.

The new team, which consists of riders from around the world, will compete in 60 races across Europe this year with the ultimate aim of competing in the world famous Tour de France.

The last professional British team was Linda McCartney Foods which folded in 2001.

Sporting director James Louter, who assembled the squad, said: "In status, we are the equivalent of Brighton and Hove Albion and, like them, we want to go for the Premiership.

"The guys want to be racing in the Tour de France one day and we will take them there providing we have enough sponsorship.

"We have backing of £120,000 so far. It is a budget that has enabled us to build a team of potential with a mixture of experienced guys and young talented riders.

"They all have the right attitude and are prepared for a demanding lifestyle. I didn't just look at their CVs, I found out what they were about.

"One of the riders is married, some have serious girlfriends and another is at university.

"But they all know this is a unique opportunity and are committed to the cause.

"I'm happy with the group. We've got some real hopefuls and Tony can set an example.

"I'll try to do my bit with tactics and advise the riders on what they are supposed to eat.

"They've all got to a certain level but if they want to go to the next one they need to have their blinkers off. There's a lot of expectation and I'll put pressure on them. They have to be mature enough to cope with it all and I think they will be."

Louter, who officially launched the team this week at a dealership firm in Uckfield, says Brighton is a perfect base for the new team.

He said: "We could have put them in a one-horse town but they would have got bored and de-motivated.

"But Brighton is a vibrant city, with a decent football club, and lots of sports people and celebrities who like the atmosphere. It's a good place to relax. But our guys don't have to go to night clubs to do that, there are plenty of coffee bars and restaurants. You can play hard and work hard.

"The South Downs are close by. There's so much space. I have lived here for four years and it is ideal for training.

"It's also handy for Newhaven, Dover, Folkestone and Gatwick and the sponsors are a Sussex firm."

All 13 riders live in a three-bedroom semi in Coldean.

Louter said: "It's a bit cramped but the guys get on with it. They are prepared to work together to achieve what they want."

Manager Nick Collins, born and bred in Brighton, said: "I'm a friend of Albion director Derek Chapman and everyone's delighted we'll have another professional team in the city."

Team DFL will debut at the Beverbeek Classic near Brussels on February 26. Their first appearance in this country will be the Archer Grand Prix in Essex on April 3.

The rest of the international line-up includes Travis Allen (South Africa), Luke Bettany (Australia), Mark Cassidy (Ireland), Ryan Connor (Ireland), Jai Crawford (Australia), Tim Dunford (Southampton), James Flanagan (Milton Keynes), Ben Hallam (Cambridge), Michael Scherer (United States), David Smith (John O'Groats), Phil Dixon (Nottingham), Yanto Barker (Cardiff)