EYE OF THE STORM

The pandemic tipped an ailing British racing scene into crisis. As teams fold, budgets tighten and the calendar is squeezed, Cycling Plus examines how we got to this point and hopes for a resurgence

- John Whitney

Just four years ago, the UK's six, as it was then, men's UCI Continental teams (the third and lowest level of license in professional cycling) fought in a season-long qualification process for four coveted places at the Tour of Britain - the country's most prestigious annual race. For the successful four it meant ultimate visibility in an international race that was broadcast live on ITV. For the other two, it was a gut punch. The process had its detractors, but it was a meritocracy and meant year-round competition.

When the Tour of Britain re-emerged in 2021 after the pandemic, the picture among British Conti teams was deteriorating. Qualification was axed and invites awarded to all five squads "in recognition of... the lack of racing opportunities since March 2020, as well as a desire to assist them with future commercial partnerships in a challenging economic climate", the race said in a statement. Two years later and invites were again given automatically to the British teams, though by this time just two remained (Saint Piran and Trinity Racing) - that tough economic climate taking a scythe to the British teams on the domestic scene.

And it's not just a case of lost men's teams, nor the budgets on those that remain being increasingly stretched and riders struggling to make a decent living, certainly compared to the halcyon days of a decade ago. The UK's international and domestic racing calendar has also been hit. On hiatus until 2024 is the Women's Tour, one of the world's top races, as key partner Skoda ended its supply of race vehicles earlier than hoped. With the search for a headline sponsor also ending without bearing fruit and a 20% year-on-year rise in running costs, according to organiser Sweetspot, who also organise the Tour of Britain, the 2023 Women's Tour was unsustainable.

Falling by the wayside