MATT Nowell is to stay with leading team Canyon Eisberg for a second successive year while he continues to make progress through the professional ranks.

The Northwich ace is one of nine riders retained by the British UCI Continental outfit, who race as Bike Channel Canyon last season, for 2018.

“We’ve retained all of our solid performers, of which Matt was one, and I’m very pleased about that,” said team boss Tim Elverson.

“They are joined by five new riders and, combined with the same strong backroom staff, I expect us to develop further.”

Nowell, 21, graduated from Sheffield Hallam University last summer.

He had previously studied at Sir John Deane’s College around the corner from his family home.

A former member at Weaver Valley Cycling Club, his maiden campaign as a professional was a steep learning curve.

He raced 10 times at UCI level after making his debut in a gruelling Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic, and celebrated his best result at the first edition of the Midden Brabant-Poort Omloop.

Nowell also competed in his home town when the Tour Series visited for the third round of its 2017 season.

Former track world champion Andy Tennant heads up the new recruits for Canyon Eisberg after ending three years with Team Wiggins.

Charlie Tanfield joins his brother Harry, while junior national champion Louis Rose-Davies and Charles Page complete the 14-strong line-up.