Harry Tanfield Warns of Crisis in British Road Cycling as Domestic Teams Collapse

Posted : 11 December 2024

Professional road cycling in Britain is facing significant challenges following the collapse of the last two domestic teams, according to Tour de Yorkshire stage winner Harry Tanfield. The 30-year-old cyclist, who has competed at the World Tour level, warned that the lack of professional domestic Continental teams could result in a loss of emerging talent and negatively affect Britain's future prospects in international competitions, including the Olympics.

The recent disbandment of Saint Piran, with whom Tanfield was contracted, and the earlier announcement from Trinity not to compete in 2025, have underscored the precarious state of the sport at this level in the UK.

Tanfield expressed concern over the absence of opportunities for under-23 riders, describing the situation as a "doom-loop." He highlighted the rising costs associated with organizing cycling events, including expenses for councils and police, which make these events increasingly unviable.

Riders, he noted, often have to cover their own entry fees, creating additional financial barriers. Reflecting on the success of British cycling over the past decade, with riders like Geraint Thomas and Tao Geoghegan Hart achieving World Tour prominence, Tanfield warned that the current collapse in domestic teams could create a "gaping hole" in the sport's development pipeline.

The decline of professional teams in the UK has been stark, with only one British team, Ineos Grenadiers, remaining in the top tiers of global road cycling. This contrasts sharply with countries like Italy, which has 11 Continental-level teams, and even Rwanda, which supports two.

With no British men’s team competing at the ProTeam level, the pathway for aspiring cyclists to progress within the sport has become increasingly limited. Tanfield hopes to secure enough sponsorship to establish a new Continental-level team for the 2025 season, a move he believes is essential to revitalizing the domestic scene and keeping the sport alive in Britain.

British Cycling has acknowledged the challenges and pledged its support for teams seeking UCI Continental Team status. A spokesperson emphasized the organization's commitment to assisting teams during the application process and helping them prepare for competition in 2025.

Despite these assurances, the loss of professional teams since 2021, when the UK had five such outfits, reflects the sport's deteriorating infrastructure. Without urgent action and investment, Tanfield and others fear that the successes of the previous generation may not be replicated, leaving a bleak future for British road cycling.

Harry Tanfield Warns of Crisis in British Road Cycling as Domestic Teams Collapse

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