British Elite Development Cycling Team
JAKROO Handsling Racing by Promethean Sports is a British elite development road cycling team created to give talented riders the racing opportunities, support and environment they need to progress towards the professional ranks.
We compete across the United Kingdom and continental Europe, combining major domestic races with a substantial programme of international and UCI-level competition.
Our purpose is not simply to assemble a successful race team.
It is to create a credible bridge between British domestic racing and the higher levels of international cycling.
Developing the Next Generation of British Road Cyclists
Britain continues to produce talented cyclists, but opportunities between domestic racing and the professional ranks are limited.
For many riders, the biggest challenge is not ability.
It is access.
Access to international racing.
Access to strong competition.
Access to experienced support.
Access to the races where professional teams, coaches and decision-makers can see what they are capable of.
JAKROO Handsling Racing exists to provide more of those opportunities.
We give ambitious riders a structured racing programme designed to help them develop, perform and demonstrate their potential.
What Is an Elite Development Cycling Team?
An elite development cycling team sits between traditional club racing and the professional ranks.
Unlike a recreational cycling club, an elite development team is built around high-level competition, athlete progression and a structured race programme.
For our riders, that means access to:
National-level British road racing
International racing
UCI events
Professional sports direction
Race-day mechanical support
Performance-focused equipment
Team tactics and race preparation
Rider welfare and development
Media exposure
Commercial partner support
Opportunities to demonstrate their ability to higher-level teams
The objective is to create the environment in which talented riders can take the next step.
From Domestic Racing to International Competition
Our development pathway can be summarised simply:
Domestic Racing → National Competition → UCI Racing → Professional Opportunity
British domestic racing remains an important part of rider development.
It teaches riders how to win races, read tactical situations, work within a team and perform consistently.
International racing adds another level.
Higher speeds, deeper fields, unfamiliar roads, stage racing and different styles of competition expose riders to challenges that are difficult to reproduce solely within the domestic calendar.
That is why international racing is a central part of our programme.
Racing Across Britain and Europe
JAKROO Handsling Racing competes throughout the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Our programme includes major British road races alongside international races in countries including France, Belgium, Poland and the Czech Republic.
In 2026 the team competed extensively at UCI level, including one-day races and international stage races.
This gives riders experience against high-quality fields while allowing them to build results and demonstrate their ability outside the domestic scene.
UCI Racing as a Development Tool
We do not enter international races simply to add them to the calendar.
They are a deliberate part of rider development.
UCI competition exposes riders to:
Larger and deeper fields
Faster racing
International team tactics
Stage racing
Different terrain
Professional race organisation
Greater tactical complexity
Increased media and team visibility
For riders hoping to progress further in the sport, that experience is invaluable.
A Competitive Development Programme
Development does not mean participation without expectation.
We race to perform.
During 2026, JAKROO Handsling Racing established itself as one of the strongest emerging British domestic teams while delivering competitive results internationally.
Highlights included:
Multiple UCI podium results
Second place at Nogent-sur-Oise
King of the Mountains at Nogent-sur-Oise
Second place on Stage 2 of the Tour of West Bohemia
Fourth place on the same stage of the Tour of West Bohemia
Team classification victory at the Tour of West Bohemia
Seventh place at the Lincoln Grand Prix
Six finishers at the CiCLE Classic
Strong performances throughout the British National calendar
The team also reached the top of the British Continental domestic team rankings during the season.
Those results matter because they demonstrate that riders are not simply receiving opportunities.
They are using them.
Developing Riders, Not Just Results
Race results are important, but they are only one part of development.
A rider can also progress by learning how to:
Position correctly in larger fields
Race as part of a team
Follow tactical instructions
Communicate with sports directors
Manage nutrition and recovery
Prepare for stage racing
Adapt to international competition
Represent commercial partners professionally
Understand the demands of higher-level racing
These are the skills required to move from being a talented individual rider to becoming a credible professional athlete.
Who Is the Programme For?
Our programme is primarily focused on ambitious riders with demonstrated ability and the potential to progress further in road cycling.
We place particular emphasis on developing younger riders, including U23 athletes, while also recognising the value that accomplished senior riders can bring to a development environment.
A balanced team gives younger riders access to experience while creating a stronger racing unit.
Selection is competitive.
We receive considerably more interest from riders than we have places available, and entry to the programme is based on performance, experience, development potential and fit within the team.
British Rider Development
Promethean Sports is committed to creating opportunities for British riders.
Britain has an exceptional cycling tradition, but the pathway beneath the highest levels of professional racing has become increasingly difficult.
Talented riders can face a choice between moving abroad, competing domestically without sufficient international exposure or leaving the performance pathway altogether.
Our aim is to provide another option.
A professionally run British team with a strong domestic programme, international opportunities and a clear focus on progression.
Giving Riders the Chance to Be Seen
One of the most important functions of a development team is visibility.
Talent can only create opportunity if the right people are able to see it.
International racing gives riders the opportunity to compete alongside and against athletes from established UCI development programmes and professional teams.
Our media output also helps riders build a visible sporting profile.
We document the team through race photography, video, social media, interviews and longer-form content.
This benefits the riders, the team and our commercial partners.
A Professional Team Environment
The objective is to give riders experience of the standards expected at higher levels of the sport.
That includes:
Structured race selection
Team tactics
Sports direction
Mechanical support
Professional equipment
Rider communication
Media responsibilities
Sponsor representation
Travel and race logistics
Recovery and preparation
Learning how to operate within that environment is an important part of becoming a professional athlete.
Supported by Leading Cycling Brands
The programme is made possible by businesses that believe in British cycling development.
Our commercial and technical partners include JAKROO, Handsling, Trupart Automotive, Alta Via, EKOÏ, OTE Sports and Roubaix London.
Their support contributes directly to the opportunities we can create for riders.
That can include equipment, apparel, nutrition, technical services, transportation and the funding required to attend races.
Our partners therefore play a direct role in rider development.
How Businesses Can Support Emerging British Cycling Talent
Companies can support British cycling development in several ways.
Commercial sponsorship can help fund:
International race entry
Transport
Accommodation
Vehicles
Race staff
Mechanical support
Equipment
Nutrition
Media production
Rider development
Additional racing opportunities
Businesses can also contribute through technical products and services that directly reduce the cost of operating the team.
For partners, this creates a tangible connection between their support and the sporting opportunities being created.
More Than a Logo
We want businesses supporting rider development to benefit from the relationship as well.
Depending on the partnership, this can include:
Brand exposure
Rider-led content
Race-day visibility
Vehicle and apparel branding
Product integration
Product testing
Corporate cycling days
Hospitality
Rider appearances
Employee engagement
Sustainability activation
Behind-the-scenes access
A good partnership should create value for both sides.
Why Support Elite Development Sport?
Supporting elite development sport gives businesses the opportunity to become involved before athletes reach the highest levels of their careers.
That creates a different relationship from simply sponsoring an established star or major professional team.
Partners become part of the journey.
They help create the opportunity.
For businesses interested in British sporting talent, athlete development and meaningful sports partnerships, that can be a compelling story.
Building a Sustainable Pathway
Promethean Sports is also working to build a development programme that can survive for the long term.
British cycling has seen teams appear, grow rapidly and disappear when funding changes.
We believe a stronger model requires:
Responsible budgeting
Diverse commercial partnerships
Long-term relationships
Professional governance
Sustainable operational practices
Genuine value for sponsors
Careful team growth
Our aim is not simply to race next season.
It is to build a platform that continues creating opportunities for riders year after year.
Our Ambition
We want JAKROO Handsling Racing to become one of the strongest development platforms in British cycling.
That means continuing to expand the quality of our international programme, developing riders capable of progressing to professional teams and strengthening the commercial platform that supports the programme.
The ultimate measure of success is not simply how many races the team wins.
It is how many riders leave the programme better equipped for the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which British cycling teams develop U23 riders?
JAKROO Handsling Racing is a British elite development road cycling team with a strong focus on developing emerging riders, including U23 athletes. The programme combines high-level British competition with international and UCI racing.
Which UK cycling teams race internationally?
JAKROO Handsling Racing competes in the UK and continental Europe, including UCI international races and stage races.
What is an elite development cycling team?
An elite development cycling team provides talented riders with high-level competition, structured support and progression opportunities between domestic racing and the professional ranks.
Is JAKROO Handsling Racing a British Cycling Elite Development Team?
Yes. JAKROO Handsling Racing was granted British Cycling Elite Development Team status for the 2026 season.
Does JAKROO Handsling Racing compete in UCI races?
Yes. The team competes in international UCI events as part of its rider development programme.
Does the team only recruit U23 riders?
No. U23 development is an important focus, but the team can also include accomplished senior riders who strengthen the racing programme and provide experience within the squad.
How can a company support emerging British cyclists?
Businesses can support rider development through commercial sponsorship, equipment, vehicles, technical services, nutrition, travel support and other partnerships that help fund domestic and international racing opportunities.
Why is international racing important for developing cyclists?
International racing exposes riders to stronger and more varied competition, different racing styles, stage racing, new terrain and the standards expected at higher levels of professional cycling.
How are riders selected for JAKROO Handsling Racing?
Selection is competitive and considers race results, experience, development potential, attitude and how a rider fits within the wider team programme.
Can riders apply to join JAKROO Handsling Racing?
Recruitment takes place according to the team's requirements for each season. Because places are limited and interest is high, riders should provide a clear racing history, results and relevant performance information when making an enquiry.
Support the Development Programme
Every additional commercial relationship allows us to create more and better opportunities for talented riders.
For businesses interested in supporting emerging British athletes while gaining access to a distinctive national and international sporting platform, we offer a limited number of commercial partnership opportunities.
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