THREE of Britain's heroes from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games are being sponsored by MG X-Power.

Rob Hayles, Chris Newton and Paul Manning, part of the quartet which won silver medals in the team pursuit, are members of the cycling team sponsored by the Longbridge based company.

MG X-Power have agreed a two year deal with Recycling.co.uk to provide the team with their transport.

The team were officially unveiled to the world on February 9 at Longbridge.

Hayles said: "I'm really excited to join the team.

"I've got a really strong team of riders around me and the infrastructure is so strong you don't consider anything less."

Recycling have been touted as a cycling dream team, with the Olympic trio captained by Russell Downing, who was part of the victorious Sydney World Cup team.

Downing lead by example at the Circuit des Plages event in Northern France over the weekend.

The captain finished fourth in the first race on Saturday, before coping with fierce winds to win the 135.5 kilometre long second race.

Recycling dominated the Perfs Pedal Race on Sunday.

Newton finished one minute and 20 seconds ahead of team-mate Hayles to win the event, while Paul Manning finished fourth.

Newton said: "It was a good feeling to win and I had my team-mates' full support."