British Cycling has named its Elite Development Teams for 2026, continuing a scheme designed to bridge the gap between club racing and the UCI Continental level.
First introduced in 2021, the status is intended to provide a clearer development route for riders moving through the domestic system, pairing structured race programmes with practical support that teams can build around as they try to step up.
As part of the package, each Elite Development Team is guaranteed eight rider entries into all National Road Series and National Circuit Series races. British Cycling also offers promotional support for team channels through its own platforms, alongside education and training workshops aimed at helping riders and staff develop beyond race-day performance.
Open teams awarded Elite Development Team status for 2026
British Cycling’s list for the open category includes eight teams, with rosters that mix established domestic names and younger riders targeting progression through the National Series calendar.
BCC Race Team will be managed by Bryan Steel and includes Alex Ball, Lewis Tinsley, Ben Marsh, Jamie Sweeney, Evan Marsh, William Gilbank, George Stephen, Spencer Corder, Tom Lewis and Ethan Squires.
Cycling Sheffield, managed by Dave Coulson, fields Alex Foster, Sam Barbour, James Sawyers, Nathan Smith, Denholm Edwards, Ryan Williams, Josh Horsfield and Oliver Sergeant.
JAKROO Handsling Racing will be run by David Streule and Tony Poole with Phil Maddocks as sports director. The team’s 2026 roster features Rowan Baker, Alex Franks, Thomas Heal, William Truelove, Conor White, Redmond Connolly, Harrison Dainty, Dylan Belton Owen, Oliver Dawson and Oscar Nisbett.
O’Neills Spirit Racing Team, managed by Josh Parkin, names Max Duckworth, Mathys Venter, Iwan Clark, Sam Chaplin, Felix Earth, Jake Jackson and Archie Peet.
Richardsons DAS will be managed by Andy Lyons and includes Cai Davies, Jordan Giles, Michael Gill, Steven Parsonage, Pete Cocker, Oli Mangham, Frank Longstaff, Alex Pritchard, Will Perrett, Matt Lord, Olly Curd, Piers Mahn, Ben Myers, Alex Peters, Simon Alexander and Lyle Simpson.
Stolen Goat 4Endurance, managed by Simon Jodrell, will race with Alex Murphy, Ben Goodwin, Huw Watkins, Hugh Aubrey, Ross Fawcett, Jack Bartholemew, Daniel Piercy and Mohammad Ganjkhanlou.
Team PB Performance will be led by Paul Bennett and includes Casper Brazier, Tom Charles, Toby Edwards, Iestyn Jones, Zac Metheringham, George Peden, Will Pollard, Jude Taylor and George Watch.
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli will be managed by Stuart Reid and brings together Tom Martin, Tom Armstrong, Tim Shoreman, Aaron King, Dexter Leeming Sykes, Mitchell McLaughlin, Robert Smart, Oliver Baker, David Lines and Ewan Warren.
Women’s Elite Development Teams for 2026
Four women’s teams have been awarded Elite Development Team status for the coming season, underlining the continued push to strengthen the domestic structure and keep more riders racing within a supported pathway.
Brother UK OnForm will be managed by Mark Botteley and includes Lotty Dawson, Amelia Staunton, Amber Junker, Anna Patterson, Ellen Bennett, Becca Carter, Abi Clayton, Eleina McFadden, Ava Luce, Beth Goodwin, Luned Budge, Mia Smith, Ellen Inglis, Nadia Van Wyk, Sian Botteley and Katie Colling.
FTP Racing, run by Billy Oliver, names Anna Boniface, Rebecca Babbage, Caitlin Dimbleby, Carys Blowers, Claire Nott, Ella Brown, Gemma Mitchell, Kayla Dinnin, Jessica Morrish, Phoebe Roche, Rachel Galler, Ruby Oakes, Annastasia Bowler and Teri Bayliss.
Loughborough Lightning will be led by David Nichols and includes Alice Lethbridge, Corrine Side, Georgia Lancaster, Georgina Oakley, Jenny Holl, Libby Bell, Lily Martin, Maddie Heywood, Miriam Jessett, Morgan Newberry, Peggy Simpkins, Rosie Simmons and Aimee Dickson.
Paralloy RT, managed by Nikki Metcalfe, will race with Katie-Anne Calton, Hannah Bayes, Rebecca Woodvine, Joanne Rea, Millie Skinner, Abi Conway, Jihanna Bonilla Allard, Lili-Keau Juntakereket, Amy Henchoz, Katie Scott, Freya Johnson, Pippa Inderwick, Amy Drysdale, Gabriella Butler, Chloe Elvin and Bea Ferry.
What it means for the domestic calendar in 2026
With guaranteed entries into the National Road Series and National Circuit Series, the Elite Development Team list matters not only for the riders named, but for the shape of key UK races across the season. The status tends to stabilise programmes, helps teams plan line-ups earlier, and offers a clearer competitive ladder for riders aiming to push towards the professional ranks in the next step of their careers.
