News: Elite Development Team status

British Cycling has revealed the teams to be awarded Elite Development Team status

News: Elite Development Team status

British Cycling has revealed the teams to be awarded Elite Development Team status, in recognition of their work to support Britain’s best aspiring road riders on their journey to success on the world stage.

The new status was announced in November 2020 with the ambition of bridging the gap to UCI Continental level teams, and following an application and review process in the early part of 2021 seven men’s and five women’s teams have been successfully awarded. They are:

Men’s teams: Bikestrong-KTM, Crimson Orientation Marketing, Cycling Sheffield, Richardsons Trek, Spirit Bontrager BSS Rotor, Team PB Performance, Wales Racing Academy.

Women’s teams: Bianchi Dama Cycling Team, Brother UK Cycle Team OnForm, Loughborough Lightning – TRG, Team Boompods, Team LDN – Brother UK.

The criteria for attaining Elite Development Team status included the number of young, British riders on the team; supporting riders’ expenses for national and international races; provision of equipment and dedicated support; and attendance at national road and circuit series events.

The successful teams will benefit from guaranteed entry into national series events and access to education courses and workshops for team riders and staff.

David Walters, Manager of the Bianchi Dama Cycling Team, said: “Having competed at elite level for over five years and building on our successes on the road and with sponsors, becoming an Elite Development Team recognises that we’re indeed doing things to the highest standard we can. We hope that our future aspirations can build from this point too, with successes this year as we restart our racing programme with an amazing squad and broad portfolio of hugely supportive sponsors.”

Brett Fabian Smith, Director and Team Owner of Bikestrong-KTM, said: “Bikestrong-KTM are delighted to have been accepted to be one of the first British Cycling Elite Development Teams. We see this as a fantastic opportunity to provide a springboard to the next level of racing to match our ambitions and to fulfil the potential of our blossoming set of young riders.”