The final remaining British men's UCI Continental cycling team, Cornwall-based Saint Piran Pro Team, have today confirmed that as of 2025 they will no longer be operational.
Just two weeks after Trinity Racing announced it would not be operating its road racing arm in 2025, the British domestic scene suffers yet another blow, with the men's side of the sport no longer represented at ProTeam or Continental level. The INEOS Grenadiers are the sole remaining functional men's team in Britain.
Founded in 2018 and initially intended to support the development of Cornish cycling talent, the team went from strength to strength, taking on talent from around the British Isles and beyond, and moving from Elite National level up to UCI Continental level in 2021. Following a number of victories in 2023, the team suffered a difficult season in 2024, with injury and illness hitting many of senior riders, and financial constraints preventing them from racing a full programme on the continent.
A statement from the team's management reads as follows:
'The UK elite cycling scene remains a crown jewel in the landscape of international sport and a golden opportunity for investment. More riders in the World Tour Peloton than ever before, World and Olympic medallists, and the development of cycling infrastructure across the UK are incredible achievements. Saint Piran Pro Cycling has contributed in all three of these. There is a bright future for UK cycling.
At Saint Piran Pro Cycling, we have looked closely at how we can move forward and continue to grow. Over the past six months, the senior team at Saint Piran has undertaken a strategic review analysing how we can increase the opportunities for some of the UK’s brightest talents and inspire more to get on bikes to take up our incredible sport. To achieve both we have to move to the next level. It is no longer possible for any professional sports team to stand still.
But that exciting future will happen without Saint Piran Pro Cycling. With a tough season behind us, and more recently turbulent media coverage hitting sponsorship opportunities for next year, it has been decided that Saint Piran Pro Cycling UCI Continental Team and Saint Piran WRT Elite Development Team will not take to the startline in 2025.
This has been an incredibly difficult decision for all at Saint Piran but one that we believe is right. While the Saint Piran door closes, another opens for a team wishing to step into our shoes, it is an incredible opportunity. Saint Piran has proved that you can successfully run an independent UCI Continental Team in the UK and take on some of the biggest challenges and teams in the World. Unfortunately for us, the stars did not align in 2024 and it has taken its toll. Bad luck, poor health and an unfair reminder we have made mistakes over the eight years of development have contributed to this decision.
The Saint Piran cycling brand will continue to develop and grow in the cycling sector and beyond. The brand goes from strength to strength year on year, providing a high-quality cycling-based experience. Sadly the UK cycle industry is not strong enough as yet and the business is still in its infancy to be in a position to underpin the demands of UCI Continental racing as it stands today.
Before some in our sport celebrate and no doubt sensationalise the closure of the team, it is important to understand how much has been invested in getting this small team to a place at the UCI table. Our decision has a much wider impact that deserves more discussion than just sensationalised headlines.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who played a part in our growth and success over our eight years. It could not have been possible without you.'
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