Junior cycling is a constantly shifting landscape, where young riders rapidly progress from the youth categories to Under-23 teams, often before theyโve fully settled into the junior ranks. For Tofauti Everyone Active, entering its sixth year, 2025 presents another turning of the page, but with a roster crafted to leave an indelible mark on the sport. The teamโs signature green kit, worn proudly from British roads to the cobbles of Flanders, has become a familiar sightโa symbol of promise and progression.
Founded in 2020 by Ian Mansel-Thomas, Tofauti Everyone Active has swiftly carved out a niche, not merely as a stepping stone but as a proving ground for young riders eyeing the professional ranks. The list of alumni reads like a roster of tomorrow’s stars. Thereโs Tomos Pattison, now plying his trade with Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development, and Oliver Peace, who rides for Development Team dsm-firmenich PostNL. Izzy Sharp, who guested with the team in 2023, etched her name into the annals by winning Gent-Wevelgem juniors in Tofauti colours before signing with Lidl-Trek, while Tofauti graduate Eilidh Shaw was a standout domestic performer this season. These riders have left their mark on Tofautiโs story, and now, a new wave prepares to do the same.
Mari Porton springs to victory at the Solihull CC Road Race. Image: Mark James
Ambition Meets Opportunity
The 2025 lineup sees the team poised to make even greater strides, thanks in no small part to a deepening partnership with Team dsm-firmenich. This pioneering collaborationโencompassing the WorldTour teams and development squadsโpromises to elevate Tofautiโs young talents by offering insights and pathways typically reserved for riders further along their careers. For Mansel-Thomas, this partnership is not just a badge of honour; itโs a signal of intent. โWith some big partnership announcements in the pipeline, we are going to be able to provide yet more support for our riders to excel at the top level,โ he reveals. โWe are already looking forward to races like Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders again.โ
These marquee races, integral to the teamโs 2025 European calendar, are where Tofautiโs riders will forge their mettle against the Continent’s brightest talents. Itโs a demanding schedule, but one that promises to prepare the riders for the rigours of professional cyclingโsomething the team has increasingly excelled at delivering.
A New Wave of Talent
Among the departures, Carys Lloyd stands out. Her move to Movistar on a three-year deal makes her the first rider from the Tofauti stable to step directly into the WorldTourโa landmark achievement that speaks to the quality of the teamโs development ethos. Lucy Benezet Minns, another standout, heads abroad to join Lotto Dstny, while Mari Porton and Amelia Cebak remain in the UK, linking up with Alba Development and Pro-Noctis, respectively. On the menโs side, Ollie Boarerโs move to SCO Dijon, a leading DN1 team in France, marks another step in Tofautiโs growing influence beyond the British Isles.
Lidia Cusack. Image: Jeff Kusters
However, the teamโs 2025 intake provides more than enough reason for optimism. Leading the new arrivals is Rory Gravelle, a Junior Tour of Wales winner this year, who returns to British shores after a spell with Decathlon AG2R. The second-year junior is no stranger to the rigours of continental racing, and his decision to join Tofauti reflects the teamโs burgeoning reputation as a springboard for young riders. Meanwhile, the signing of Lidia Cusack, the USA junior time trial champion, is a significant first for the team. The Americanโs recent top-15 at the world time trial championships in Zurich hinted at her potential, but it was her aggressive style on the road that convinced Tofauti to bring her into the fold. As the first rider from outside the British Isles to join the squad, Cusackโs arrival marks a bold new step in the teamโs evolution.
Building a Culture of Collective Strength
Mansel-Thomas has always stressed the importance of unity within the squad, and 2025 will be no different. โCycling at the top level is a team sport,โ he reiterates. โOur riders will have opportunities for themselves and opportunities to help their teammatesโthey’re here to develop and learn, and they’ll succeed at that when they do it together.โ Itโs a message that resonates deeply within Tofautiโs philosophy, where the pursuit of individual ambitions never overshadows the greater collective goal.
The 2025 roster balances continuity with fresh blood. Returning riders, including Jamie Stewart, Matthew Kent, and Abigail Miller, provide a stable core, while a crop of promising new recruits brings youthful energy. On the womenโs side, first-year juniors Megan Cherry, Seren Thomas, Gabby McHugh, and Ruby Isaac join the fray. On the menโs side, newcomers Albie Jones, Alex Coles, Ollie Tregear, and Harley Widdowson bolster the teamโs depth. Each of these riders has come through respected British youth programmes, and their arrival at Tofauti marks the beginning of a new chapter in their development.
Rory Gravelle. Image: Decathlon AG2R Mondiale
In a pioneering step for British junior cycling, Tofauti announced a groundbreaking partnership with Team dsm-firmenich at the beginning of 2024, which spans their menโs and womenโs WorldTour teams and development squads. The collaboration has paved the way for shared resources and expertise, providing Tofautiโs young riders with access to a wealth of professional insight and opportunities to learn from some of the worldโs leading cyclists.
The 2025 season will build upon this foundation, with Mansel-Thomas promising an ambitious calendar that includes a blend of classic junior races and new challenges. The continuation of the marquee European calendar, with high-profile events such as Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders, serves as a key focus. These races will not only showcase Tofauti’s emerging talents but also provide a stage where riders can test themselves against the best juniors on the Continent.
New Arrivals: Lidia Cusack (DC Devo, USA), Megan Cherry (Leicester Forest CC), Seren Thomas (Maindy Flyers), Gabby McHugh (VC Londres), Ruby Isaac (Welland Valley CC)
Junior Men
Returning: Jamie Stewart, Matthew Kent, Matthew Peace, Oliver Gill, Struan Shaw
New Arrivals: Rory Gravelle (Decathlon AG2R), Albie Jones (RTD J’s Cycles RT), Alex Coles (Evolution Racing Academy), Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy), Oliver Tregear (Evolution Racing Academy)
Junior cycling is a constantly shifting landscape, where young riders rapidly progress from the youth categories to Under-23 teams, often before theyโve fully settled into the junior ranks. For Tofauti Everyone Active, entering its sixth year, 2025 presents another turning of the page, but with a roster crafted to leave an indelible mark on the sport. The teamโs signature green kit, worn proudly from British roads to the cobbles of Flanders, has become a familiar sightโa symbol of promise and progression.
Founded in 2020 by Ian Mansel-Thomas, Tofauti Everyone Active has swiftly carved out a niche, not merely as a stepping stone but as a proving ground for young riders eyeing the professional ranks. The list of alumni reads like a roster of tomorrow’s stars. Thereโs Tomos Pattison, now plying his trade with Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development, and Oliver Peace, who rides for Development Team dsm-firmenich PostNL. Izzy Sharp, who guested with the team in 2023, etched her name into the annals by winning Gent-Wevelgem juniors in Tofauti colours before signing with Lidl-Trek, while Tofauti graduate Eilidh Shaw was a standout domestic performer this season. These riders have left their mark on Tofautiโs story, and now, a new wave prepares to do the same.
Ambition Meets Opportunity
The 2025 lineup sees the team poised to make even greater strides, thanks in no small part to a deepening partnership with Team dsm-firmenich. This pioneering collaborationโencompassing the WorldTour teams and development squadsโpromises to elevate Tofautiโs young talents by offering insights and pathways typically reserved for riders further along their careers. For Mansel-Thomas, this partnership is not just a badge of honour; itโs a signal of intent. โWith some big partnership announcements in the pipeline, we are going to be able to provide yet more support for our riders to excel at the top level,โ he reveals. โWe are already looking forward to races like Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders again.โ
These marquee races, integral to the teamโs 2025 European calendar, are where Tofautiโs riders will forge their mettle against the Continent’s brightest talents. Itโs a demanding schedule, but one that promises to prepare the riders for the rigours of professional cyclingโsomething the team has increasingly excelled at delivering.
A New Wave of Talent
Among the departures, Carys Lloyd stands out. Her move to Movistar on a three-year deal makes her the first rider from the Tofauti stable to step directly into the WorldTourโa landmark achievement that speaks to the quality of the teamโs development ethos. Lucy Benezet Minns, another standout, heads abroad to join Lotto Dstny, while Mari Porton and Amelia Cebak remain in the UK, linking up with Alba Development and Pro-Noctis, respectively. On the menโs side, Ollie Boarerโs move to SCO Dijon, a leading DN1 team in France, marks another step in Tofautiโs growing influence beyond the British Isles.
However, the teamโs 2025 intake provides more than enough reason for optimism. Leading the new arrivals is Rory Gravelle, a Junior Tour of Wales winner this year, who returns to British shores after a spell with Decathlon AG2R. The second-year junior is no stranger to the rigours of continental racing, and his decision to join Tofauti reflects the teamโs burgeoning reputation as a springboard for young riders. Meanwhile, the signing of Lidia Cusack, the USA junior time trial champion, is a significant first for the team. The Americanโs recent top-15 at the world time trial championships in Zurich hinted at her potential, but it was her aggressive style on the road that convinced Tofauti to bring her into the fold. As the first rider from outside the British Isles to join the squad, Cusackโs arrival marks a bold new step in the teamโs evolution.
Building a Culture of Collective Strength
Mansel-Thomas has always stressed the importance of unity within the squad, and 2025 will be no different. โCycling at the top level is a team sport,โ he reiterates. โOur riders will have opportunities for themselves and opportunities to help their teammatesโthey’re here to develop and learn, and they’ll succeed at that when they do it together.โ Itโs a message that resonates deeply within Tofautiโs philosophy, where the pursuit of individual ambitions never overshadows the greater collective goal.
The 2025 roster balances continuity with fresh blood. Returning riders, including Jamie Stewart, Matthew Kent, and Abigail Miller, provide a stable core, while a crop of promising new recruits brings youthful energy. On the womenโs side, first-year juniors Megan Cherry, Seren Thomas, Gabby McHugh, and Ruby Isaac join the fray. On the menโs side, newcomers Albie Jones, Alex Coles, Ollie Tregear, and Harley Widdowson bolster the teamโs depth. Each of these riders has come through respected British youth programmes, and their arrival at Tofauti marks the beginning of a new chapter in their development.
In a pioneering step for British junior cycling, Tofauti announced a groundbreaking partnership with Team dsm-firmenich at the beginning of 2024, which spans their menโs and womenโs WorldTour teams and development squads. The collaboration has paved the way for shared resources and expertise, providing Tofautiโs young riders with access to a wealth of professional insight and opportunities to learn from some of the worldโs leading cyclists.
The 2025 season will build upon this foundation, with Mansel-Thomas promising an ambitious calendar that includes a blend of classic junior races and new challenges. The continuation of the marquee European calendar, with high-profile events such as Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders, serves as a key focus. These races will not only showcase Tofauti’s emerging talents but also provide a stage where riders can test themselves against the best juniors on the Continent.
Tofauti Everyone Active 2025 Roster
Junior Women
Junior Men
Featured image: Phillipe Le Cocq
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