The Project

The goal is to establish a GB based U23 cycling team. This initiative aims to provide young riders with valuable opportunities to develop their skills, gain exposure, and demonstrate their abilities in prestigious UCI* and national competitions held across Europe.

*UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), the world governing body for cycling. UCI races are the top level races in the sport

Aims

Enable riders to showcase their skills by participating in UCI and national races across Europe. This experience can open up new horizons and help them grow as athletes.

Provide comprehensive support in terms of team management, race calendar, equipment, logistics, race support, mechanical and post-race recovery.

Engage with race organisers and development teams to establish partnerships that promote the riders, providing them with opportunities to gain visibility and recognition within the community

Challenges

Opportunities for GB based U23 riders to race in Europe are limited. Racing for a foreign team and living abroad to get these opportunities isn't a viable option for most.
There are currently no British men’s UCI Continental cycling teams. Compare this to France who have 12 and other examples: Italy (10), Poland (3), Iran (3), Rwanda (3) and many more. There are currently about 5 British women’s UCI teams.
There is a scarcity of top-tier road races in the UK. Typically they do not take place on closed roads and lack the prestige and level of professionalism when compared to their continental counterparts. They have smaller fields and fewer high calibre riders.
Cycling is becoming increasingly professional and expensive. It’s getting more difficult for riders and parents to afford the equipment, travel and other associated costs.
Managing the balance between academic studies and the demands of training and racing is significant challenge. Effective collaboration between riders, educational institutions and the team is essential to provide the right support and opportunity for riders so that they can achieve both their academic and cycling ambitions.

Solutions

Team

Assemble a team of talented riders and staff. A blend of individuals who bring a mix of expertise, experience, teamwork skills, enthusiasm, and a positive outlook towards the project.

Equipment

In order to compete at the highest level, it is essential to provide the team with all the necessary equipment. This includes bikes, wheels, and kit for the riders, as well as tools for the staff to effectively support them throughout

Calendar

Put together a comprehensive calendar that encompasses a variety of top-level races, including UCIs, with a diverse selection of terrain, one-day events, and stage races. This will ensure that every rider has the chance to showcase their skills and abilities across different race formats.

Finance

Secure financial backing from dedicated supporters and sponsors. A single trip for the team to travel to and race in Europe costs around £3K. We're looking for at least £15K to ensure that we can commit to a minimum of 5 races.

Future

To start with we are focussing on U23 men. We would love to grow the team to include Junior and women's teams, but this depends on the success of the initial project and how much support and finance we get.

We're also keen to put on some events, like the ones we want to race. Closed roads and support from local authorites and the community.

Your support can help make this happen...