Ad hoc revolution: new collective launches to give UK riders a UCI pathway
MyPad Racing aims to reshape UK cycling by providing flexible UCI-level racing opportunities, fostering grassroots involvement, and encouraging collaboration among riders, support staff, and sponsors
In a domestic cycling scene struggling to find its feet, innovation is not just welcome; it’s essential. Enter MyPad Racing powered by Discovery Properties, a new, unorthodox venture spearheaded by Ewan Mackie and Lucas Jowett, who both ride for the EFC-L&R – Van Mossel team in Belgium. What began as a means to race in a three-week UCI block in Rhodes next season has morphed into a bold vision for a team that defies traditional norms. The team’s ethos: flexibility, accessibility, and opportunity – concepts that could reshape how we think about domestic cycling teams.
It’s about giving riders opportunities that are sorely lacking in the UK right now
At its core, MyPad Racing wants to offer a platform for UK riders to gain international UCI-level experience without the constraints of a traditional team setup. This ad hoc format allows riders to cherry-pick races, minimising conflicts with existing team commitments while maximising exposure. It also opens doors for aspiring support staff to gain practical experience in professional cycling, building a new generation of race organisers, mechanics, and directors.
“The team will be run on a come-and-go basis,” the 22-year-old Mackie explains. “If someone does well, it reflects on them rather than the team as a whole. It’s about giving riders opportunities that are sorely lacking in the UK right now.”
Ewan Mackie at the 2023 Rapha Lincoln GP. Image: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
The initiative reflects a similar ethos to the Sn Vitae | Bim Bam Coaching RT team, featured last year in The British Continental. Both teams aim to provide riders with pathways to compete internationally, bypassing the complexities and financial constraints of a full UCI-registered setup or even a traditional elite team. However, MyPad Racing seeks to broaden the concept further, with ambitions to scale up to a pool of 20–40 riders and 5–10 support staff.
The team’s initial project centres on the Rhodes UCI block in March 2025. With funding secured for this trip, Mackie and Jowett are now focused on creating a sustainable structure to extend the team’s lifespan. Mackie brings valuable experience to the table too, having organised Sn Vitae’s Rhodes trip in 2024.
We’re inviting anyone – riders, support staff, creatives – to get involved. This is a collective effort
“We’ve already got our first riders lined up for Rhodes,” Mackie shares. “But my hope is to maintain the team beyond this trip, giving more riders the chance to race abroad. We’re inviting anyone—riders, support staff, creatives—to get involved. This is a collective effort.”
Beyond Mackie and Jowett themselves, the squad for the Rhodes trip includes some eye-catching names such as Alex Beldon, the former TRINITY Racing rider, new Thriva-SRCT signing Ed Morgan and the highly experienced Will Roberts from the now-defunct Saint Piran team. It’s a high calibre lineup that shows the potential talent that Mackie’s model could attract throughout the year.
Mackie says the team’s flexible model enables participation without the long-term contractual ties common in traditional setups. Riders from British Cycling’s Academy, former professionals, and those without contracts are all potential candidates. Meanwhile, he hopes that support staff, cars and other logistics can be drawn from existing teams and set-ups to help underpin UCI race trips.
Lucas Jowett. Image: supplied
Like Sn Vitae, MyPad Racing embraces a grassroots ethos, relying on rider-funded trips to sustain itself. Yet its ambitions are broader. Mackie envisions a networked collective capable of organising 50+ UCI race days annually, provided interest grows. By focusing on collaboration and scalability, the project aims to fill the void left by the dwindling UK domestic scene.
This contrast highlights a crucial difference: while Sn Vitae operates within a contained model, MyPad Racing is a rallying cry. It actively invites the cycling community—riders, sponsors, and governing bodies—to join forces. Mackie initially hoped British Cycling could become involved, but says the governing body turned him down. “The governing body could help enormously,” he says. “Even small gestures, like providing a car and staff for a few races, would make a huge difference.”
If we can build momentum and show what’s possible, I’m confident we can bring more support on board
Mackie also points to Saint Piran’s innovative model of race-by-race sponsorship as a potential inspiration. “Saint Piran had some flaws, but their approach to allowing sponsorship to support specific races rather than committing to a whole season is something worth exploring,” he explains. “It’s a creative way to secure funding and give sponsors a tangible return on investment.”
Mackie acknowledges that the rider-funded model places a financial burden on participants, but he is hopeful that the team’s success will attract sponsors and additional funding. “It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality right now,” he admits. “If we can build momentum and show what’s possible, I’m confident we can bring more support on board.”
He also sees the team as a vital stepping stone for aspiring support staff. “We need people to help organise races, drive team cars, work as mechanics, and even manage social media,” Mackie says. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to break into professional cycling.”
Ewan Mackie at the 2023 Rapha Lincoln GP. Image: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
Flexibility is a cornerstone of the MyPad Racing ethos. “This isn’t about locking riders or staff into rigid contracts,” Mackie emphasises. “It’s about giving people the freedom to pursue their goals while providing a platform to help them get there.”
For now, the team will operate with a pragmatic, rider-funded model. Riders will cover their own expenses, though sponsors such as MyPad and Discovery Properties will help offset costs. CCN UK are also supporting the team by supplying kit. Mackie remains open to innovative funding ideas, including race-by-race sponsorships or crowdfunding—an approach that departs from the traditional season-long model.
“We’re open to change,” Mackie explains. “If a major sponsor joins, we’re happy to rebrand. But until then, we’re focused on creating a sustainable platform, even if it means keeping things simple.”
There’s no reason why talented riders should have to go to Belgium or France to get noticed. We should be able to create opportunities here in the UK to support their progression
The UK’s domestic cycling scene is at a crossroads, with few clear pathways for riders to develop without moving abroad. The decline of UCI-registered teams and a lack of high-profile domestic races have left many riders in limbo. Mackie is vocal about the need to address this gap. “There’s no reason why talented riders should have to go to Belgium or France to get noticed,” he argues. “We should be able to create opportunities here in the UK to support their progression.”
Mackie hopes that by filling this void, the team can inspire similar initiatives and revive the domestic racing scene.
He is clear-eyed about the challenges ahead but remains optimistic. “Even if this project adds just 10 more UCI race days for British riders, that’s a win,” he says. “We don’t need a massive calendar. We just need something extra.”
In a time of uncertainty, Mackie believes that MyPad Racing is more than a team. It’s a vision for an alternative team model: collaborative, innovative, and driven by those who care deeply about the future of domestic road racing. As Mackie and Jowett gear up for their Rhodes adventure, they hope others will join them in building something truly transformative.
Contact mypadracing@gmail.com for more information or to get involved.
In a domestic cycling scene struggling to find its feet, innovation is not just welcome; it’s essential. Enter MyPad Racing powered by Discovery Properties, a new, unorthodox venture spearheaded by Ewan Mackie and Lucas Jowett, who both ride for the EFC-L&R – Van Mossel team in Belgium. What began as a means to race in a three-week UCI block in Rhodes next season has morphed into a bold vision for a team that defies traditional norms. The team’s ethos: flexibility, accessibility, and opportunity – concepts that could reshape how we think about domestic cycling teams.
At its core, MyPad Racing wants to offer a platform for UK riders to gain international UCI-level experience without the constraints of a traditional team setup. This ad hoc format allows riders to cherry-pick races, minimising conflicts with existing team commitments while maximising exposure. It also opens doors for aspiring support staff to gain practical experience in professional cycling, building a new generation of race organisers, mechanics, and directors.
“The team will be run on a come-and-go basis,” the 22-year-old Mackie explains. “If someone does well, it reflects on them rather than the team as a whole. It’s about giving riders opportunities that are sorely lacking in the UK right now.”
The initiative reflects a similar ethos to the Sn Vitae | Bim Bam Coaching RT team, featured last year in The British Continental. Both teams aim to provide riders with pathways to compete internationally, bypassing the complexities and financial constraints of a full UCI-registered setup or even a traditional elite team. However, MyPad Racing seeks to broaden the concept further, with ambitions to scale up to a pool of 20–40 riders and 5–10 support staff.
The team’s initial project centres on the Rhodes UCI block in March 2025. With funding secured for this trip, Mackie and Jowett are now focused on creating a sustainable structure to extend the team’s lifespan. Mackie brings valuable experience to the table too, having organised Sn Vitae’s Rhodes trip in 2024.
“We’ve already got our first riders lined up for Rhodes,” Mackie shares. “But my hope is to maintain the team beyond this trip, giving more riders the chance to race abroad. We’re inviting anyone—riders, support staff, creatives—to get involved. This is a collective effort.”
Beyond Mackie and Jowett themselves, the squad for the Rhodes trip includes some eye-catching names such as Alex Beldon, the former TRINITY Racing rider, new Thriva-SRCT signing Ed Morgan and the highly experienced Will Roberts from the now-defunct Saint Piran team. It’s a high calibre lineup that shows the potential talent that Mackie’s model could attract throughout the year.
Mackie says the team’s flexible model enables participation without the long-term contractual ties common in traditional setups. Riders from British Cycling’s Academy, former professionals, and those without contracts are all potential candidates. Meanwhile, he hopes that support staff, cars and other logistics can be drawn from existing teams and set-ups to help underpin UCI race trips.
Like Sn Vitae, MyPad Racing embraces a grassroots ethos, relying on rider-funded trips to sustain itself. Yet its ambitions are broader. Mackie envisions a networked collective capable of organising 50+ UCI race days annually, provided interest grows. By focusing on collaboration and scalability, the project aims to fill the void left by the dwindling UK domestic scene.
This contrast highlights a crucial difference: while Sn Vitae operates within a contained model, MyPad Racing is a rallying cry. It actively invites the cycling community—riders, sponsors, and governing bodies—to join forces. Mackie initially hoped British Cycling could become involved, but says the governing body turned him down. “The governing body could help enormously,” he says. “Even small gestures, like providing a car and staff for a few races, would make a huge difference.”
Mackie also points to Saint Piran’s innovative model of race-by-race sponsorship as a potential inspiration. “Saint Piran had some flaws, but their approach to allowing sponsorship to support specific races rather than committing to a whole season is something worth exploring,” he explains. “It’s a creative way to secure funding and give sponsors a tangible return on investment.”
Mackie acknowledges that the rider-funded model places a financial burden on participants, but he is hopeful that the team’s success will attract sponsors and additional funding. “It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality right now,” he admits. “If we can build momentum and show what’s possible, I’m confident we can bring more support on board.”
He also sees the team as a vital stepping stone for aspiring support staff. “We need people to help organise races, drive team cars, work as mechanics, and even manage social media,” Mackie says. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to break into professional cycling.”
Flexibility is a cornerstone of the MyPad Racing ethos. “This isn’t about locking riders or staff into rigid contracts,” Mackie emphasises. “It’s about giving people the freedom to pursue their goals while providing a platform to help them get there.”
For now, the team will operate with a pragmatic, rider-funded model. Riders will cover their own expenses, though sponsors such as MyPad and Discovery Properties will help offset costs. CCN UK are also supporting the team by supplying kit. Mackie remains open to innovative funding ideas, including race-by-race sponsorships or crowdfunding—an approach that departs from the traditional season-long model.
“We’re open to change,” Mackie explains. “If a major sponsor joins, we’re happy to rebrand. But until then, we’re focused on creating a sustainable platform, even if it means keeping things simple.”
The UK’s domestic cycling scene is at a crossroads, with few clear pathways for riders to develop without moving abroad. The decline of UCI-registered teams and a lack of high-profile domestic races have left many riders in limbo. Mackie is vocal about the need to address this gap. “There’s no reason why talented riders should have to go to Belgium or France to get noticed,” he argues. “We should be able to create opportunities here in the UK to support their progression.”
Mackie hopes that by filling this void, the team can inspire similar initiatives and revive the domestic racing scene.
He is clear-eyed about the challenges ahead but remains optimistic. “Even if this project adds just 10 more UCI race days for British riders, that’s a win,” he says. “We don’t need a massive calendar. We just need something extra.”
In a time of uncertainty, Mackie believes that MyPad Racing is more than a team. It’s a vision for an alternative team model: collaborative, innovative, and driven by those who care deeply about the future of domestic road racing. As Mackie and Jowett gear up for their Rhodes adventure, they hope others will join them in building something truly transformative.
Contact mypadracing@gmail.com for more information or to get involved.
Featured image: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
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