THE BRIT PACK

Belgian stalwarts Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl’s ‘Wolfpack’ seems to have developed a taste for riders from British shores – Jonny Long asks why

- Jonny Long

Standing in line at Gatwick airport ready to board a flight to Alicante stand two skinny teenagers wearing British Cycling tracksuit tops.

Unlike the other Brits making their pilgrimage to the Costa del Sol in their flip-flops, this pair have a mission as they seek out a warm-weather training camp in the depths of winter.

These are their first days as part of the U23 development squad, tentatively making their initial steps toward the dream of reaching the top of the sport in mountain biking and cyclo-cross. They chat about the amazing places they’ve already been able to race their bikes and how they jokingly hope one day they’ll be able to compete in an Olympic Games or World Championships without the likes of Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert or Tom Pidcock present.

Already arrived in Spain are three other British riders who are just where those youngsters want to be – riding in the WorldTour for Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl. This is the highest number of UK natives to have ridden for the successful Belgian outfit in its history – a history that stretches back to its heights as the Mapei teams in the 1990s.

Last year Mark Cavendish rejoined Patrick Lefevere’s squad, doubling the number of Brits with James Knox inking a new deal until 2023 to keep him at the team he turned pro with back in 2018. This year sees the arrival of Ethan Vernon, who represented Team GB in the Tokyo Olympics men’s team pursuit squad last summer, as the latest British promise to break through into the pro ranks.