That's the long-term plan for newly formed National Road Series cycle team NCMG Criterion Racing with Port Macquarie duo Brandon Conway and Will Pender set to benefit.

Manning Cycle Club pair Beau Harper and Dan Crossingham along with Inverell's Brent Rees will also hope to ride their way to success.

The professional team has been racing for a little over 18 months after they formed during COVID when team manager Wade Buchan realised there were minimal opportunities for cyclists in regional areas.

"I saw there was a gap there," Buchan said.

"We want to develop the boys so that they're getting what they want out of the sport from all the effort they're putting in.

"But they've got to enjoy it and want to have fun doing what they're doing otherwise it's not worth it. It's too tough a sport."

The 11-strong team all have their own individual stories although Buchan said it was pleasing half of them have come from non-metropolitan locations.

"It was about giving young riders in those areas a chance to ride at the elite level of cycling in Australia who don't have the opportunity with those elite teams," he said.

"Those from outside bigger cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or the Gold Coast."

A few weeks ago the team claimed their first podium at the Queensland Road Team Series event with four wins from six sprint finishes.

"We want to work towards being consistently competitive and at the pointy end of the National Road Series every race," Buchan said.

"We want to get the boys onto the podium and finish if not top three, top five consistently, and then hopefully get them overseas where they can try and further develop their careers."

Buchan is confident the team are developing at a good rate and improving with each race they enter while achieving the goals they want to achieve.

"Brandon has had his trials and tribulations where he was involved in a serious car accident two years ago where he was t-boned by a car," he said.

"He's come back from that and is racing really well. He's getting stronger and stronger all the time.

"Will is developing nicely and he's managed to finish in the top 10 young riders in the first round of the QRTS while Brent finished with a really good 13th place at the Grafton to Inverell race."

But arguably the most important aspect of the team comes from the Manning Valley duo.

"Beau has raced for years at a high level whether it be road cycling or triathlon and the same with Dan," he said.

"Dan's got a lot of experience riding at NRS level over the years and we're using those guys to try and get some knowledge to the younger guys and some experience to move on into the future.

"Everyone's pulling their weight and doing a really good job."

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