The man who has taken “Shropshire cycling to a new level” is heading for pastures new.

Andy Bason, who has dominated the county time trialing scene in recent years, has agreed to join a newly-formed Cambridge-based team for 2010, ending his four-year association with Wrekinsport.

The 40-year-old is hoping that will help him fulfil his dream of becoming a national champion.

“I’ve done it purely to compete at a higher level of competition,” said Bason, who lives in Shawbirch, Telford, and has pledged to continue making appearances at Shropshire events.

“I will be receiving travelling expenses from the new team and will compete in races that they are focusing on because they want to perform well in the national title events, and for the British Best All-Rounder.

“I want to compete in those events and this means I will be racing on the faster courses more often.

“It’s a wrench to leave Wrekinsport because I’ve had some great times there there. But I will be staying as a second claim rider which effectively means I will be staying as a social member.”

Since taking up cycling competitively at the start of 2006, Bason has dominated the Shropshire scene at virtually every distance and has been knocking on the door in national events.

He finished second and third respectively in the National 50 and 100 miles championships in 2008, whilst also finishing fifth in British Best all-rounder.

The welder by trade was sixth in that category this season, as well as finishing fourth in the National 100 and second in the National 12 hour Championships.

Bason has also joined an exclusive club of riders who have beaten 30mph in both 10 and 25 mile events – doing both within the space of 24 hours last month.

“Andy has raised the standard of racing in the county to a new level,” said Dave Poulter, chairman of Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association.

“He has to move on to take on a new challenge of riding with the elite riders on a more regular basis to try and improve further.”