After a stellar season which saw the team take six National B wins and four riders sign contracts to race in France for the upcoming season, British Continental Team of the Year nominees Cycling Sheffield have revealed their 2025 line up, which will feature six new riders as Dave Coulson’s team resets for a fresh start.
Riders are acknowledging this team is a good stepping stone team if they’re not going to Europe straight away
A constant in the changing face of the domestic scene in recent years, the team has forged a reputation as one of Britain’s top development teams over the past decade with a number of riders progressing through the team as they make their way in the sport, something Coulson feels is reflected in his new eight-man squad.
“Six new riders and a very young average age,” he points out. “We’ve got four riders who will be 2nd year under-23s and four first-year under-23s. I think it indicates riders are acknowledging this team is a good stepping stone team if they’re not going to Europe straight away.
“The vast majority of CVs that I received were from riders predominantly under 21. A few years ago the age range would have been much broader, so I think a lot of riders who might like the idea of riding for this team, maybe aren’t contacting us, thinking ‘I’m too old for that’.”
Staying with the team are Sam Chaplin and Alex Foster, who will enter their second U23 year, with a season of Coulson’s stewardship behind them. “Sam’s got a very good head on his shoulders,” he notes, saying that neither will be given the role of road captain this year as they continue their development. “They’ve worked with me for a year, so they’re in a position to help the other riders fit in. I expect them organically to play that role a bit, but neither will have the role of road captain. It could happen on its own, but they’re still a bit too young and inexperienced for that, really.”
Among the new recruits is Nathan Smith, who despite not reaching his 18th birthday yet enjoyed a standout season in 2024 including a stage win and 2nd overall in the Bizkaiko Itzulia and a silver medal from the National Junior Road Race Championships.
He’s one of a few riders that we’ve got that probably need to just be here for one year and then go to Europe
“He’s one of a few riders that we’ve got that probably need to just be here for one year and then go to Europe,” Coulson muses. “On paper, he looks like a real climber. Part of me wondered if he may struggle to get really good results here where a long climb is three minutes long. But if you’re a good climber you can do well in most races, go to the finish of Nat Bs, and some of the prems are hilly enough. Some of the racing we’ll do in Europe will hopefully suit him.”
The team will also host first-year U23s James Sawyers and Denholm Edwards, who both hail from the same part of Yorkshire as Smith. “The three of them know each other pretty well,” says Coulson, who has traditionally tried to keep a squad relatively local to Sheffield to ensure he can offer them the best opportunities to develop.
“James Sawyers. His big result was a stage win in the Junior Tour of Wales, and he’s got a number of other good results,” Coulson say. “He’s got a lot of ability that shows he didn’t just get lucky on that day.
“And Denholm Edwards. He’s a good rider, won a race in Belgium this year. He’s had some injuries which had an impact on his season.”
The final first-year U23 is Sam Barbour, the first rider from Scotland to ride for the team, who will be looking to continue his good results north of the border this year.
By the time you leave this team you’ll be in a better place to make the most of the next opportunity where there will be even more expectation
Coulson’s outlook, however, is about far more than results, particularly at this early stage of a rider’s career. “A big part of what I’ve spoken to the new lads about is that it’s a big step coming up from junior to an adult team. Now you’ve got a team manager who expects things of you, expects you to learn to be professional and more organised than you’ve probably been in the past. A big part of what I emphasise is that by the time you leave this team you’ll be in a better place to make the most of the next opportunity where there will be even more expectation.”
Turning his attention to the two remaining new signings, Coulson describes Sheffield-based student Dan Eastham as a “rough diamond”, admitting “he’s probably not on anyone’s radar”.
“I like the idea of that sort of rider, a bit of a gamble,” Coulson continues. “He’s very green and raw, but his numbers are good and he’s had some good results in smaller races. If I’m right, by the end of next year he’ll be a totally different rider and it will be a real transformation.”
In the history of this team, I’ve got a record of picking up riders whose trajectory hasn’t been perfect, helping riders who are finding their way a bit later or have had setbacks
The final rider for next season is Ryan Williams, who joins the team after a tough 2024 with HUUB-BCC, leaving the setup he has been with since his early teenage years. “In the history of this team, I’ve got a record of picking up riders whose trajectory hasn’t been perfect, helping riders who are finding their way a bit later or have had setbacks, a little bit like James McKay,” he notes, pointing to Williams’ obvious talent displayed throughout his performances as a junior.“Hopefully, he’ll have a good year with us and he’s pretty local, so he’s in a position to get a lot from me. Hopefully, he’ll enjoy it and pick up from where he left off as a junior. It’s tough when riders are young, every race is a big deal and every season is make or break.”
With such an inexperienced squad Coulson is realistic in his expectations for the forthcoming season.
“[It’s] very young team. Being realistic there will be quite a contrast to this year’s results, just on the age difference alone. At that age each year is so significant in learning and getting stronger. I don’t doubt we’re capable of getting results, and I’m sure we will. But next year is really the start of a new cycle.
“Part of what I make noise about is that sometimes at races we might finish 20th, but there’s the development, for 18 or 19-year-old lad that’s still a good result, and it’s all learning.
“The last couple of years we’ve had riders that have been with us for a couple or three years and made the move – George Wood and Will Harding in Italy, James McKay to Saint Piran. Four riders this year going to France. I tend to find I start to see the fruits of my labour in the second or even third years, when the results start coming and all the learning starts sinking in.”
With the sponsorship picture remaining largely unchanged, the team’s calendar will again include trips to Europe as well as racing domestically.
Some of the racing in this country may not be too glamorous, but a wet Nat B in a far flung corner of the country is good development
“There’s not many gaps on the calendar with all the National Bs,” Coulson explains, noting that the domestic scene still offers some of the best opportunities for young riders to hone their craft. “Some of the racing in this country may not be too glamorous, but a wet Nat B in a far flung corner of the country is good development. Nat Bs are important learning races, they’re so fiercely ridden and chaotic, it’s every man for himself.”
Cycling Sheffield’s race programme is influenced by the small squad at Coulson’s disposal, eight riders ensuring everyone gets their own opportunity and as much time under his stewardship as possible.
“I like to run the team whereby everyone has lots of opportunities, it’s not a case of he’s the best so we’re riding for him all year.
“One of the reasons we only have eight riders is so that I can work more closely with them,” says Coulson. “We’re not cynically signing loads of riders to make my life easier in that we’ve always got riders to put in races. On paper, there’s not that many European races, but with a small number of riders there’s a chance several will get to ride every European race because there’s not 16 guys fighting to fit in a five or six-man team.”
The squad has already met in person, with another team weekend, on top of online meetings, planned before the year is out. “I put a lot of work into building a good environment and good culture so that everyone enjoys it,” Coulson emphasises, the spirit built between the riders particularly evident over the past year, even to the most casual onlookers.
After a stellar season which saw the team take six National B wins and four riders sign contracts to race in France for the upcoming season, British Continental Team of the Year nominees Cycling Sheffield have revealed their 2025 line up, which will feature six new riders as Dave Coulson’s team resets for a fresh start.
A constant in the changing face of the domestic scene in recent years, the team has forged a reputation as one of Britain’s top development teams over the past decade with a number of riders progressing through the team as they make their way in the sport, something Coulson feels is reflected in his new eight-man squad.
“Six new riders and a very young average age,” he points out. “We’ve got four riders who will be 2nd year under-23s and four first-year under-23s. I think it indicates riders are acknowledging this team is a good stepping stone team if they’re not going to Europe straight away.
“The vast majority of CVs that I received were from riders predominantly under 21. A few years ago the age range would have been much broader, so I think a lot of riders who might like the idea of riding for this team, maybe aren’t contacting us, thinking ‘I’m too old for that’.”
Staying with the team are Sam Chaplin and Alex Foster, who will enter their second U23 year, with a season of Coulson’s stewardship behind them. “Sam’s got a very good head on his shoulders,” he notes, saying that neither will be given the role of road captain this year as they continue their development. “They’ve worked with me for a year, so they’re in a position to help the other riders fit in. I expect them organically to play that role a bit, but neither will have the role of road captain. It could happen on its own, but they’re still a bit too young and inexperienced for that, really.”
Among the new recruits is Nathan Smith, who despite not reaching his 18th birthday yet enjoyed a standout season in 2024 including a stage win and 2nd overall in the Bizkaiko Itzulia and a silver medal from the National Junior Road Race Championships.
“He’s one of a few riders that we’ve got that probably need to just be here for one year and then go to Europe,” Coulson muses. “On paper, he looks like a real climber. Part of me wondered if he may struggle to get really good results here where a long climb is three minutes long. But if you’re a good climber you can do well in most races, go to the finish of Nat Bs, and some of the prems are hilly enough. Some of the racing we’ll do in Europe will hopefully suit him.”
The team will also host first-year U23s James Sawyers and Denholm Edwards, who both hail from the same part of Yorkshire as Smith. “The three of them know each other pretty well,” says Coulson, who has traditionally tried to keep a squad relatively local to Sheffield to ensure he can offer them the best opportunities to develop.
“James Sawyers. His big result was a stage win in the Junior Tour of Wales, and he’s got a number of other good results,” Coulson say. “He’s got a lot of ability that shows he didn’t just get lucky on that day.
“And Denholm Edwards. He’s a good rider, won a race in Belgium this year. He’s had some injuries which had an impact on his season.”
The final first-year U23 is Sam Barbour, the first rider from Scotland to ride for the team, who will be looking to continue his good results north of the border this year.
Coulson’s outlook, however, is about far more than results, particularly at this early stage of a rider’s career. “A big part of what I’ve spoken to the new lads about is that it’s a big step coming up from junior to an adult team. Now you’ve got a team manager who expects things of you, expects you to learn to be professional and more organised than you’ve probably been in the past. A big part of what I emphasise is that by the time you leave this team you’ll be in a better place to make the most of the next opportunity where there will be even more expectation.”
Turning his attention to the two remaining new signings, Coulson describes Sheffield-based student Dan Eastham as a “rough diamond”, admitting “he’s probably not on anyone’s radar”.
“I like the idea of that sort of rider, a bit of a gamble,” Coulson continues. “He’s very green and raw, but his numbers are good and he’s had some good results in smaller races. If I’m right, by the end of next year he’ll be a totally different rider and it will be a real transformation.”
The final rider for next season is Ryan Williams, who joins the team after a tough 2024 with HUUB-BCC, leaving the setup he has been with since his early teenage years. “In the history of this team, I’ve got a record of picking up riders whose trajectory hasn’t been perfect, helping riders who are finding their way a bit later or have had setbacks, a little bit like James McKay,” he notes, pointing to Williams’ obvious talent displayed throughout his performances as a junior.“Hopefully, he’ll have a good year with us and he’s pretty local, so he’s in a position to get a lot from me. Hopefully, he’ll enjoy it and pick up from where he left off as a junior. It’s tough when riders are young, every race is a big deal and every season is make or break.”
With such an inexperienced squad Coulson is realistic in his expectations for the forthcoming season.
“[It’s] very young team. Being realistic there will be quite a contrast to this year’s results, just on the age difference alone. At that age each year is so significant in learning and getting stronger. I don’t doubt we’re capable of getting results, and I’m sure we will. But next year is really the start of a new cycle.
“Part of what I make noise about is that sometimes at races we might finish 20th, but there’s the development, for 18 or 19-year-old lad that’s still a good result, and it’s all learning.
“The last couple of years we’ve had riders that have been with us for a couple or three years and made the move – George Wood and Will Harding in Italy, James McKay to Saint Piran. Four riders this year going to France. I tend to find I start to see the fruits of my labour in the second or even third years, when the results start coming and all the learning starts sinking in.”
With the sponsorship picture remaining largely unchanged, the team’s calendar will again include trips to Europe as well as racing domestically.
“There’s not many gaps on the calendar with all the National Bs,” Coulson explains, noting that the domestic scene still offers some of the best opportunities for young riders to hone their craft. “Some of the racing in this country may not be too glamorous, but a wet Nat B in a far flung corner of the country is good development. Nat Bs are important learning races, they’re so fiercely ridden and chaotic, it’s every man for himself.”
Cycling Sheffield’s race programme is influenced by the small squad at Coulson’s disposal, eight riders ensuring everyone gets their own opportunity and as much time under his stewardship as possible.
“I like to run the team whereby everyone has lots of opportunities, it’s not a case of he’s the best so we’re riding for him all year.
“One of the reasons we only have eight riders is so that I can work more closely with them,” says Coulson. “We’re not cynically signing loads of riders to make my life easier in that we’ve always got riders to put in races. On paper, there’s not that many European races, but with a small number of riders there’s a chance several will get to ride every European race because there’s not 16 guys fighting to fit in a five or six-man team.”
The squad has already met in person, with another team weekend, on top of online meetings, planned before the year is out. “I put a lot of work into building a good environment and good culture so that everyone enjoys it,” Coulson emphasises, the spirit built between the riders particularly evident over the past year, even to the most casual onlookers.
Featured image: Emma Wilcock
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