Olympic gold medal cyclists Owain Doull, Callum Skinner and Philip Hindes launch new coffee brand

Rio 2016 Olympic champions Owain Doull, Callum Skinner and Philip Hindes have launched coffee brand 5 Rings, with a focus on sustainable sourcing.

Initially launching two single origin roasts, named Blind Faith and Cali Crash, 5 Rings will primarily be distributed direct to consumers via the company website. 5 Rings will then seek to grow its wholesale offering across other outlets across the UK and worldwide.

Brazilian blend Blind Faith is a coffee with flavours of milk chocolate and date and is named after the cyclists' post-Olympic gold medal celebrations at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Cali Crash, which has flavours of red cherry and brown sugar, attracted its name as a result of 5 Rings founder Owain Doull's ill-fated Cali Track World Championships performance in Colombia in 2014.

The company uses a Loring "smokeless" roaster that produces up to 80% less greenhouse gases than an average roaster. The coffee bags are certified CO2-neutral and are 100% plastic- and aluminium-free, ensuring the bags are easily recyclable. The postal bags are made from 100% recycled plastic and are also recyclable.

"The journey for 5 Rings began way back in 2012 when, as we developed a friendship through our international travels in professional cycling, we would, without fail, go on the hunt for great coffee," said the founders.

"In our cycling careers, we were fortunate to have reached the pinnacle of any athlete's profession by becoming Olympic champions. We've also been fortunate to share many memories and stories which, we believe, coffee is all about. Coffee is so much more than a drink – it brings people together to socialise and discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of life."

Photo: Philip Hindes (left), Callum Skinner (centre), Owain Doull (right)