Reflex Racing is the pet project of business development director Wayne Hallett, an avid cyclist himself, currently sponsoring 15 riders in the UK and 12 in Burgundy, France.

Its members are intended to be a combination of Reflex suppliers, clients and employees alongside unrelated riders – and the Mansfield-headquartered labels and packaging company is still looking for more riders to join.

Hallett said: “Cycling is evolving right now and becoming a massive thing with a lot of interest – and that seems to be the case within our industry. Pre-launch, we are already racing at national and regional levels in the higher divisions.

“It is about us giving something back and given cycling’s massive popularity it stood to reason that we get involved in something like this. It also gives cyclists in the South a chance to find sponsorship and a team, as it is less represented than in other regions of the UK.

“We have gone to the best manufacturers in Italy to put together our clothing as we would not want to do this half-cocked. We would love to see a full team riding in the premier calendar within three years, so we welcome the support of our staff, clients and suppliers.”

Reflex saw the British contingent of its growing team invited to compete in the Route de Saone et Loire four-day, 300km stage race in France, the first British riders to receive the honour.

At the race in June, team member Liam Cahill came seventh and Rob Francis won the green points jersey.

Hallett said that further plans were afoot to put together a junior team that would feed into the main squad, as well as sponsoring a ladies team alongside.

Reflex Racing will officially launch by the end of this year.

Reflex Group currently employs around 850 people, following the acquisition of Fusion Flexibles in a pre-pack administration deal at the end of last year. It was the latest stage in a long-running M&A trail which began last January with the acquisition of Grimsby-based Kingsway Printers.

The group now turns over circa £135m.