U23 road cuts could see no GB team at Tour of Britain

Financial pressures and changing landscape mean British Cycling is scaling back its U23 road programme

-  James Shrubsalli

Rising costs and a greater prevalence of young riders in trade teams could mean there is no Great Britain team at next year’s Tour of Britain for the first time since 2010.

British Cycling is scaling back its Under-23 Senior Academy road programme and plans to focus on the World and European Championships, although the organisation says it could add further races at a later date.

The Great Britain team is a staple at the UK’s national tour, which allows its young home riders to show their mettle on home soil and acts as a shop window for trade teams.