British cycling in big trouble: No more British teams at continental level in 2025

The news of Trinity Racing’s departure was already a major blow for British cycling. The team has a stellar history of nurturing talent, producing riders like Paul Magnier, Luke Lamperti, Lukas Nerurkar, Thomas Gloag, Ben Healy, Ben Turner and Tom Pidcock. Now, the closure of Saint Piran adds to the growing crisis. Just four years ago, there were five British Continental teams; by 2025, there will be none. It’s clear that British cycling is in serious trouble.

Saint Piran Pro Cycling gained attention this year for a bizarre incident involving illegal bikes. Unfortunately, their latest headlines are no better. The two issues are somewhat connected. According to their press release: "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. 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 team explained.

The end of Trinity is excruciating, especially given the numerous talents that emerged from the team. What makes it extra impressive is that they were only founded in 2020. Yet that is now over. It was announced in September that Trinity Racing was struggling with declining sponsorship income and rising costs. "Trinity, I think they're going to continue, but only as a mountain bike team," sport director Pete Kennaugh told Cycling Weekly. ''That's not confirmed yet, just from the last conversations I've had with some of the guys who work there. [It will be] almost like a small feeder team for the Specialized Factory [Racing] team, I guess."

Kennaugh, meanwhile, has found a spot with Astana Qazaqstan for 2025, but many of Trinity's talents have not yet. "The last time we talked to some of them, they still didn't have a team, which is a real shame," the former pro said.

In 2023, Trinity lost a sponsor, and in early 2024, another sponsor reduced its funding. In September, owner and cycling agent Andrew McQuaid said he was "under pressure" because of the sponsorship problems. Cycling Weekly now reports that the decision has been made to discontinue road races in 2025, with hopes of picking up again where they left off in 2026, although such wishes often do not come true.

"The team was sort of his baby, so to speak, and he put so much effort, time, and passion into it," Kennaugh said. "From my point of view, [McQuaid] hasn't failed. It's just how it is at the minute. I just think fair play and chapeau to him for putting so much time and effort into the team for the years he has done. So many other managers or team owners would have pulled the plug years ago. He tried hard to ensure Trinity could continue as a road team next year. But unfortunately, it's not the case."