Raptor Factory Racing steps into the spotlight with a roster packed with talent, ambition, and local pride. From seasoned UCI race winners to rising stars, meet the team aiming to shake up British domestic cycling in 2025
New domestic teams are a rarity these days. On the men’s side of the sport, Saint Piran, TRINITY Racing, Ribble Rebellion, Project1, and The Cycling Academy are among those that shut their doors at the end of 2024. Despite Harry Tanfield’s best efforts, just one new men’s team has so far emerged as 2025 begins: Raptor Factory Racing.
When the team was first teased in December, it was clear this wasn’t going to be just another domestic outfit. With a huge pool of talent suddenly left without teams, this quietly ambitious new venture hinted at becoming a haven for UK riders searching for alternative pathways to the pro ranks.
Now, just a month later, the team has unveiled its roster: eight riders, small in size but undeniably big in talent. Among them are UCI race winners, National Series champions, and promising local talent—riders capable of making an immediate impact on the domestic scene and beyond.
On the eve of the squad’s announcement, The British Continental travelled to the team’s South West London base, the Clubhouse, to learn more about this new project that is aiming to make an outsized impact in its inaugural season. We met with team manager David Streule and also managed to grab words with the two co-founders of Raptor Bikes, Tris Kelly and Brad Wright, and the head of the team’s clothing supplier, Sam Calder of Rule 28.
Image: The Clubhouse
Nestled on the banks of the Thames in Putney, the Clubhouse hums with the sound of sporty types – runners, rowers, cyclists – enthusiastically chatting before and after their respective workouts. On the afternoon we attend, the usual chatter of athletes mingling over coffee is joined by the whir of workshop tools as mechanics assemble bikes for the newly formed Raptor Factory Racing team. It’s a fitting backdrop for a project that’s modest in scale but brimming with potential.
Selecting the squad
Launching with just eight riders, Raptor Factory Racing is small in size but undeniably big in talent. Led by Streule, formerly at London Dynamo, the team boasts a roster that includes UCI race winners, proven National Series champions, and promising local talent.
We wanted a team that could deliver now, but also grow with us. This is about creating opportunities for talented riders who might otherwise be overlooked
The team only launched its application process last month but has already carefully selected a squad that balances immediate results with long-term potential from its 35 applicants. “We wanted a team that could deliver now, but also grow with us,” explains Streule. “This is about creating opportunities for talented riders who might otherwise be overlooked.”
With just eight slots to fill and 35 applications from riders across the UK, Streule faced the delicate task of balancing immediate impact with long-term promise. “We had quite a few 18, 19, year olds from all around the country,” he says. “These are the kids who are thinking they might want to try and make it as a pro, but they obviously haven’t got that big break as a junior. And there’s just no pathway for them at the moment. Unfortunately, we obviously couldn’t take them all, and we also had to look at what was important for us.
“I had three criteria. One was a focus on the road rather than other disciplines. Second one was a proven race winner, and the third one was being a local rider. It was quite hard to be all three of them. So generally, the riders we got were two out of those three. We decided to go for a mix of proven race winners and experience with that. And then local riders who show good promise.”
Rowan Baker wins the 2024 RCR FatCreations road race. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
A talent-heavy roster
The team boasts three former Saint Piran riders whose résumés speak volumes about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Leading the charge is Rowan Baker, a rider who epitomises the team’s potential. The 2024 U23 National Series champion and East Cleveland Classic winner comes into the season fresh from several UCI top-10 finishes and a ride at the Tour of Britain. Having lived in South West London previously, a former London Dynamo team member with strong connections to both Streule and the racing community in the capital. Describing Baker as “tactically calm”, Streule counts the former rower as an key rider, they type who can win races, create a buzz about the team and potentially unlock further investment.
I fully believe Dylan could have gone to ride on the continent with a Conti team, if he wanted to
Another standout is Dylan Hicks, a fellow Saint Piran refugee, whose 2024 campaign was a breakthrough year. Hicks claimed his first professional win at the UCI Tour of Hellas and added strong performances in the U23 National Series and National Championships. “Dylan’s a great rider,” muses Streule. “I fully believe Dylan could have gone to ride on the continent with a Conti team, if he wanted to, but for whatever reason, he seems to be a bit of a home bird wanted to be based here and race here with some racing on the continent. You know, he’s still quite young, and I think he actually shows great maturity for his age. You know, given the lack of a pathway, he seems quite confident that he has time to he can take his time to build at the right pace for him to where he wants to be.”
The third former Saint Piran recruit is Bradley Symonds. Bringing leadership and tactical nous he will be the team’s most seasoned rider. With over four years of UCI Continental-level racing experience, including a top-20 finish on Stage 1 of the 2024 Tour of Britain, Symonds will act as road captain. “He’s got the experience,” states Streule. “I mean, it sort of seems funny saying this—he’s only 26, I think, but he’s kind of the older statesman of the team with the experience,” says Streule.
Adding further depth is Tom Heal, a previous winner of the prestigious Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race, who switches from the Stoten Goat Race Team. Heal achieved podium finishes in National B races last year and will look to rebuild confidence in 2025. “Tom will build on a promising 2024 where he achieved podiums at National B road races and multiple top 15s in the National Circuit and Road Series,” states the press release.
Alex Franks: Raptor Bikes
Among the younger riders is Alex Franks, a talented racer whose story intertwines closely with the origins of Raptor Factory Racing. Franks first made waves as a junior, achieving standout results such as a stage win at the UCI Aubel-Stavelot race and a victory at the French Boucles de l’Oise. However, after a difficult period in 2024, Franks found himself stepping back from competitive cycling.
It was during this time that Franks became a central figure in the creation of Raptor Factory Racing. “Alex stopped riding for a few months at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 and fell out of love with cycling a little bit,” says Streule.
Franks’s comeback began when Streule decided to step in. “For us as a club at London Dynamo, we really felt it was for me to kind of help him and try and show him the path again, if you like, bring him back on the journey.” Streule arranged for Franks to receive coaching support and even encouraged him to spend time training in the Alps to regain his fitness. “He went out to France to stay in my place in the Alps for six weeks just to do his base training in June, because he hadn’t been riding for months,” explains Streule.
When we realised we had someone here who could go out and win some races next year, it aligned with what Raptor wanted to do with validating the bike
As Franks began to rebuild, he forged a deeper connection with Raptor. He took a job at the Clubhouse, working as a mechanic while balancing training. Franks’s potential as a rider remained undeniable. “He said, ‘I really want to give the riding a go again,’” recalls Streule. With support from both Raptor and his family, Franks reduced his hours in the workshop to dedicate more time to training. His determination impressed everyone around him. “Alex is one of those riders with proven credentials,” Streule says. “He’s won some big races on the continent as a junior.”
The genesis of Raptor Factory Racing begins, in many ways, with Franks. As Streule and Raptor worked to provide him with the environment he needed, the idea of creating a team capable of nurturing talent took shape. “When we realised we had someone here who could go out and win some races next year, it aligned with what Raptor wanted to do with validating the bike,” Streule explains. “I said to them, ‘I guarantee—well, you can never guarantee—but I’m sure this guy can win a Nat B next year on your bike.’” And from there, the conversation about creating the Raptor team began.
Now part of the inaugural Raptor Factory Racing roster, Franks is surrounded by experienced teammates like Baker and Symonds. Streule sees Franks’s journey as a blueprint for what the team hopes to achieve: giving talented riders the support they need to thrive. “This is about showing riders like Alex that there’s still a path forward,” he says. “It’s not just about winning races—it’s about rediscovering the joy of riding and building something sustainable.”
Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne. Image: Raptor Bikes
Rounding out the men’s squad roster are Archie Waller and Judicaël Clair. Waller, who moves over from the London Dynamo squad is described as “a regional rider from the Oxfordshire Road Race League” in the press release, while Clair has already made his mark in cycling. “In just one year of racing, Judicaël (Judy) has emerged as a rising talent,” the press release notes. For Waller and Clair, 2025 will be a year of development and opportunity. “We’re not expecting them to win everything right away,” Streule says. “But we want to give them the tools and the support to grow as riders.”
The squad also includes an independent female rider, Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne, a regular to the Clubhouse, who joins from the UCI Continental DAS-Hutchinson team. Her story is as remarkable as her talent. A former Olympic rower, Hodgkins-Byrne transitioned to cycling in 2022 and has quickly made her mark, earning second place at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix in 2023 and two National B road race victories last year. “Charlotte is local and super talented,” says Kelly. “She’s an Olympian, and her drive to achieve more is incredible.”
Managing a talented squad: hierarchy and opportunity
For a small squad, Raptor Factory Racing is brimming with talent, a blend of proven winners and rising stars. This presents both opportunities and challenges for Streule, who has been tasked with creating a cohesive unit while managing the ambitions of a group eager to make their mark.
There is a hierarchy within the team. And I think the riders are reasonably aware of that, which makes it easier for us to manage
“There is a hierarchy within the team,” explains Streule. “And I think the riders are reasonably aware of that, which makes it easier for us to manage.” At the top of that hierarchy are the three former Saint Piran riders who bring Continental experience to the table. “There are those three guys who have ridden for Saint Piran, they have Continental experience, and they have results as well,” he says. “The other guys, hopefully, will take them on a journey with us, and they’ll grow and become better as a result.”
The hierarchy provides opportunities for less-experienced riders like Alex Franks, Archie Waller, and Judicaël Clair to develop under the mentorship of their more seasoned teammates. “The guys at the top have Continental experience, but we’ve also got local riders and riders who are less proven,” Streule says. “We’re not expecting them to win everything straight away, but we’re here to support them and help them grow.”
Managing such a talented squad requires balancing ambition with opportunity, something Streule views as central to his role. “It’s about giving these riders the races they need, but also making sure we grow together as a team,” he says. “The hierarchy is there, but the goal is to create an environment where everyone feels like they can contribute and progress.”
Dylan Hicks at the 2024 Portsdown Classic. Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
2025 ambitions: building a platform for success
Raptor Factory Racing enters its inaugural season with clear ambitions: to compete at the top of the domestic scene while laying the groundwork for international racing opportunities. For Streule, the focus is on delivering strong performances at key National A races while giving riders the opportunities they need to develop.
We will target the Nat As as a team, and that’s where we really want to get results
“When the team was first conceived, we talked about taking Alex [Franks] to win some Nat Bs,” Streule says. “That’s obviously moved on. I think our target, for sure, is winning Nat As. The guys will do Nat Bs as and when they choose, but they won’t be targeted as a team quite so much. We will target the Nat As as a team, and that’s where we really want to get results.”
The team’s debut race, the Portsdown Classic, will offer an early opportunity to showcase their potential. “I think we will be marked,” Streule acknowledges. “Rowan is planning to race, so he will obviously be very much marked. It will be about how we can use the other guys to get Rowan into the position we want him to be in.”
One of Streule’s biggest concerns is providing the team with a race schedule befitting their talent, particularly for riders like Baker and Hicks, who have the potential to progress to higher levels. “I asked Rowan to come to me with a calendar of races he would like to do,” Streule explains. “I said, in your ideal world, if we could do any races in the world, what would you want to do? Because it gives me an aspiration to work towards.”
Image: Raptor Bikes
While National A races remain the primary focus, the team has aspirations to compete internationally, albeit with financial constraints. “I’ve committed to one international trip at the beginning of May, providing we can get invites to the races we want to go to,” Streule explains. “Beyond that, it depends on how we perform, how much noise we create, and how much [financial] support we can attract.”
Racing abroad presents both opportunities and challenges. “You write to an organiser, you say, ‘Hi, we’re not a UCI Continental team, but we’re an elite club team from the UK with some really good riders,’” Streule says. “They might say, ‘Oh, yeah, we could probably find a space for you.’ Then you ask, ‘Any chance you can pay our accommodation while we’re there?’ You’ve got to be a little bit careful how much you ask for, but we’ll certainly try.”
If Rowan and others start actively winning races, then sure there’ll be more budget
Further investment will be critical if the team is to compete internationally on a regular basis. As Kelly notes, “This first year is about seeing what we can realistically afford to do while tempering that with what makes sense to grow the team sustainably.” The team’s ultimate ambition is to reach UCI Continental status and compete at marquee events like the Tour of Britain, but they acknowledge this will require significant external support. “If Rowan and others start actively winning races, then sure there’ll be more budget,” Kelly says. “If it works, and it turns into bike sales, then we’ll put as much money as we possibly can behind it. But for now, we’re taking it step by step.”
Raptor’s rivals
The UK domestic scene has undergone significant change, with the collapse of several established teams at the end of 2024. This has shifted the competitive landscape, creating both opportunities and new challenges for Raptor Factory Racing.
“I think we’ve moved away from the situation we’ve had the last few years with one dominant team of Saint Piran,” Streule observes. “Now, it’s more spread around. Foran are obviously very good. You’ve got SRCT, Cycling Sheffield, Wheelbase… I mean, there are good teams out there, so we’re not going to have it all our own way.”
While the absence of a single dominant force like Saint Piran might open the door for more competitive racing, it also signals the start of a new era of unpredictability and opportunity in men’s domestic racing. For a new team like Raptor Factory Racing, this could be the perfect moment to carve out a reputation by stepping up and delivering results when it matters most.
Image: Raptor Bikes
Why Raptor and Rule 28 backed the team
For Raptor Bikes, supporting a race team was a natural next step in their journey as a start-up brand, blending their passion for performance with the community ethos that defines their Putney-based business. “The journey was originally, can we build a community of like-minded, active people?” explains co-founder Kelly. “When we first think of the Raptor journey, the idea was, if we could build a community, then we could sell bikes.”
The quickest way to get that performance validation is just go out there and win as many races as you can. It helps to validate the bike for our average buyer
From there, the decision to launch a race team was driven by the need to validate their products on the road. “The next step on the journey is, how do we validate that?” Kelly continues. “We’re not Pinarello; we’re not De Rosa. We don’t have 50 years of history. The quickest way to get that performance validation is just go out there and win as many races as you can. It helps to validate the bike for our average buyer, who says, ‘Can I ride faster on this bike?’ Well, yeah, those guys just won a race on it.”
For fellow co-founder Wright, the team also represents an opportunity to inspire. “It’s about stimulating the racing scene around here, validating our products, and generating content that inspires people to look at this British brand trying to make a difference,” he explains. “If it’s people racing them in rain or sharp heat, that’s inspiring.”
The timing for the team’s creation was serendipitous, as the collapse of several UK domestic squads left a wealth of talented riders without a home. “With the breakdown of some of the other UK teams, it’s just that it’s been a silver lining for us, that things have just happened a lot quicker and to a higher level than we were ever anticipating,” says Kelly. “Because we have this community, and we know a lot of brands now… everybody wants access to the 10,000 people that come [to the Cluhouse] a month.”
The partnership with Sam Calder at Rule 28 adds a vital dimension to the project. Rule 28, known for its aerodynamic racewear, has a strong local connection to Raptor Bikes – both are based in Wandsworth – and shares their focus on supporting grassroots cycling. “We sort of got introduced during Rouleur [Live], and it spiralled from there,” explains Sam. “I think our route into this has been fairly similar. Rule 28 is a small brand trying to compete with the big guys.”
Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne outside the Clubhouse. Image: Raptor Bikes
Calder saw in Raptor Factory Racing an opportunity to align with a team that matched Rule 28’s ethos. “We’ve seen the downturn in racing, and we’re trying to support that as best we can,” Calder says. “The visions for how we see the industry and how we’re trying to improve it completely matched.”
For both Raptor Bikes and Rule 28, supporting the team is about more than just selling bikes or kit. It’s about contributing to the broader health of the sport. “It’s about helping people on their journey,” says Calder. “The industry is changing, and whether it’s supporting teams, individuals, or broader projects, it’s about making cycling better.”
As Wright puts it, “We’re not just here to sell bikes, but we do wake up every day thinking, how do we sell bikes? Because that’s what the business is. But we’ve personally got a genuine interest in racing anyway, so there’s an excitement there.”
We’ve got a great mix of riders who can deliver now and others who can grow with us. It’s about creating opportunities and showing there’s still a pathway in the sport
As Raptor Factory Racing embarks on its debut season, the team is keenly aware of both the challenges and opportunities ahead. With a roster brimming with talent, a strong local identity, and the backing of passionate partners, it represents more than just a new outfit on the domestic scene—it’s a project built on ambition and purpose. Reflecting on the team’s goals, Streule notes, “We’ve got a great mix of riders who can deliver now and others who can grow with us. It’s about creating opportunities and showing there’s still a pathway in the sport.”
Whether they achieve immediate success or simply lay the groundwork for future seasons, Raptor Factory Racing signals an intriguingly fresh approach to team building in British domestic cycling.
New domestic teams are a rarity these days. On the men’s side of the sport, Saint Piran, TRINITY Racing, Ribble Rebellion, Project1, and The Cycling Academy are among those that shut their doors at the end of 2024. Despite Harry Tanfield’s best efforts, just one new men’s team has so far emerged as 2025 begins: Raptor Factory Racing.
When the team was first teased in December, it was clear this wasn’t going to be just another domestic outfit. With a huge pool of talent suddenly left without teams, this quietly ambitious new venture hinted at becoming a haven for UK riders searching for alternative pathways to the pro ranks.
Now, just a month later, the team has unveiled its roster: eight riders, small in size but undeniably big in talent. Among them are UCI race winners, National Series champions, and promising local talent—riders capable of making an immediate impact on the domestic scene and beyond.
On the eve of the squad’s announcement, The British Continental travelled to the team’s South West London base, the Clubhouse, to learn more about this new project that is aiming to make an outsized impact in its inaugural season. We met with team manager David Streule and also managed to grab words with the two co-founders of Raptor Bikes, Tris Kelly and Brad Wright, and the head of the team’s clothing supplier, Sam Calder of Rule 28.
Nestled on the banks of the Thames in Putney, the Clubhouse hums with the sound of sporty types – runners, rowers, cyclists – enthusiastically chatting before and after their respective workouts. On the afternoon we attend, the usual chatter of athletes mingling over coffee is joined by the whir of workshop tools as mechanics assemble bikes for the newly formed Raptor Factory Racing team. It’s a fitting backdrop for a project that’s modest in scale but brimming with potential.
Selecting the squad
Launching with just eight riders, Raptor Factory Racing is small in size but undeniably big in talent. Led by Streule, formerly at London Dynamo, the team boasts a roster that includes UCI race winners, proven National Series champions, and promising local talent.
The team only launched its application process last month but has already carefully selected a squad that balances immediate results with long-term potential from its 35 applicants. “We wanted a team that could deliver now, but also grow with us,” explains Streule. “This is about creating opportunities for talented riders who might otherwise be overlooked.”
With just eight slots to fill and 35 applications from riders across the UK, Streule faced the delicate task of balancing immediate impact with long-term promise. “We had quite a few 18, 19, year olds from all around the country,” he says. “These are the kids who are thinking they might want to try and make it as a pro, but they obviously haven’t got that big break as a junior. And there’s just no pathway for them at the moment. Unfortunately, we obviously couldn’t take them all, and we also had to look at what was important for us.
“I had three criteria. One was a focus on the road rather than other disciplines. Second one was a proven race winner, and the third one was being a local rider. It was quite hard to be all three of them. So generally, the riders we got were two out of those three. We decided to go for a mix of proven race winners and experience with that. And then local riders who show good promise.”
A talent-heavy roster
The team boasts three former Saint Piran riders whose résumés speak volumes about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Leading the charge is Rowan Baker, a rider who epitomises the team’s potential. The 2024 U23 National Series champion and East Cleveland Classic winner comes into the season fresh from several UCI top-10 finishes and a ride at the Tour of Britain. Having lived in South West London previously, a former London Dynamo team member with strong connections to both Streule and the racing community in the capital. Describing Baker as “tactically calm”, Streule counts the former rower as an key rider, they type who can win races, create a buzz about the team and potentially unlock further investment.
Another standout is Dylan Hicks, a fellow Saint Piran refugee, whose 2024 campaign was a breakthrough year. Hicks claimed his first professional win at the UCI Tour of Hellas and added strong performances in the U23 National Series and National Championships. “Dylan’s a great rider,” muses Streule. “I fully believe Dylan could have gone to ride on the continent with a Conti team, if he wanted to, but for whatever reason, he seems to be a bit of a home bird wanted to be based here and race here with some racing on the continent. You know, he’s still quite young, and I think he actually shows great maturity for his age. You know, given the lack of a pathway, he seems quite confident that he has time to he can take his time to build at the right pace for him to where he wants to be.”
The third former Saint Piran recruit is Bradley Symonds. Bringing leadership and tactical nous he will be the team’s most seasoned rider. With over four years of UCI Continental-level racing experience, including a top-20 finish on Stage 1 of the 2024 Tour of Britain, Symonds will act as road captain. “He’s got the experience,” states Streule. “I mean, it sort of seems funny saying this—he’s only 26, I think, but he’s kind of the older statesman of the team with the experience,” says Streule.
Adding further depth is Tom Heal, a previous winner of the prestigious Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race, who switches from the Stoten Goat Race Team. Heal achieved podium finishes in National B races last year and will look to rebuild confidence in 2025. “Tom will build on a promising 2024 where he achieved podiums at National B road races and multiple top 15s in the National Circuit and Road Series,” states the press release.
Among the younger riders is Alex Franks, a talented racer whose story intertwines closely with the origins of Raptor Factory Racing. Franks first made waves as a junior, achieving standout results such as a stage win at the UCI Aubel-Stavelot race and a victory at the French Boucles de l’Oise. However, after a difficult period in 2024, Franks found himself stepping back from competitive cycling.
It was during this time that Franks became a central figure in the creation of Raptor Factory Racing. “Alex stopped riding for a few months at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 and fell out of love with cycling a little bit,” says Streule.
Franks’s comeback began when Streule decided to step in. “For us as a club at London Dynamo, we really felt it was for me to kind of help him and try and show him the path again, if you like, bring him back on the journey.” Streule arranged for Franks to receive coaching support and even encouraged him to spend time training in the Alps to regain his fitness. “He went out to France to stay in my place in the Alps for six weeks just to do his base training in June, because he hadn’t been riding for months,” explains Streule.
As Franks began to rebuild, he forged a deeper connection with Raptor. He took a job at the Clubhouse, working as a mechanic while balancing training. Franks’s potential as a rider remained undeniable. “He said, ‘I really want to give the riding a go again,’” recalls Streule. With support from both Raptor and his family, Franks reduced his hours in the workshop to dedicate more time to training. His determination impressed everyone around him. “Alex is one of those riders with proven credentials,” Streule says. “He’s won some big races on the continent as a junior.”
The genesis of Raptor Factory Racing begins, in many ways, with Franks. As Streule and Raptor worked to provide him with the environment he needed, the idea of creating a team capable of nurturing talent took shape. “When we realised we had someone here who could go out and win some races next year, it aligned with what Raptor wanted to do with validating the bike,” Streule explains. “I said to them, ‘I guarantee—well, you can never guarantee—but I’m sure this guy can win a Nat B next year on your bike.’” And from there, the conversation about creating the Raptor team began.
Now part of the inaugural Raptor Factory Racing roster, Franks is surrounded by experienced teammates like Baker and Symonds. Streule sees Franks’s journey as a blueprint for what the team hopes to achieve: giving talented riders the support they need to thrive. “This is about showing riders like Alex that there’s still a path forward,” he says. “It’s not just about winning races—it’s about rediscovering the joy of riding and building something sustainable.”
Rounding out the men’s squad roster are Archie Waller and Judicaël Clair. Waller, who moves over from the London Dynamo squad is described as “a regional rider from the Oxfordshire Road Race League” in the press release, while Clair has already made his mark in cycling. “In just one year of racing, Judicaël (Judy) has emerged as a rising talent,” the press release notes. For Waller and Clair, 2025 will be a year of development and opportunity. “We’re not expecting them to win everything right away,” Streule says. “But we want to give them the tools and the support to grow as riders.”
The squad also includes an independent female rider, Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne, a regular to the Clubhouse, who joins from the UCI Continental DAS-Hutchinson team. Her story is as remarkable as her talent. A former Olympic rower, Hodgkins-Byrne transitioned to cycling in 2022 and has quickly made her mark, earning second place at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix in 2023 and two National B road race victories last year. “Charlotte is local and super talented,” says Kelly. “She’s an Olympian, and her drive to achieve more is incredible.”
Managing a talented squad: hierarchy and opportunity
For a small squad, Raptor Factory Racing is brimming with talent, a blend of proven winners and rising stars. This presents both opportunities and challenges for Streule, who has been tasked with creating a cohesive unit while managing the ambitions of a group eager to make their mark.
“There is a hierarchy within the team,” explains Streule. “And I think the riders are reasonably aware of that, which makes it easier for us to manage.” At the top of that hierarchy are the three former Saint Piran riders who bring Continental experience to the table. “There are those three guys who have ridden for Saint Piran, they have Continental experience, and they have results as well,” he says. “The other guys, hopefully, will take them on a journey with us, and they’ll grow and become better as a result.”
The hierarchy provides opportunities for less-experienced riders like Alex Franks, Archie Waller, and Judicaël Clair to develop under the mentorship of their more seasoned teammates. “The guys at the top have Continental experience, but we’ve also got local riders and riders who are less proven,” Streule says. “We’re not expecting them to win everything straight away, but we’re here to support them and help them grow.”
Managing such a talented squad requires balancing ambition with opportunity, something Streule views as central to his role. “It’s about giving these riders the races they need, but also making sure we grow together as a team,” he says. “The hierarchy is there, but the goal is to create an environment where everyone feels like they can contribute and progress.”
2025 ambitions: building a platform for success
Raptor Factory Racing enters its inaugural season with clear ambitions: to compete at the top of the domestic scene while laying the groundwork for international racing opportunities. For Streule, the focus is on delivering strong performances at key National A races while giving riders the opportunities they need to develop.
“When the team was first conceived, we talked about taking Alex [Franks] to win some Nat Bs,” Streule says. “That’s obviously moved on. I think our target, for sure, is winning Nat As. The guys will do Nat Bs as and when they choose, but they won’t be targeted as a team quite so much. We will target the Nat As as a team, and that’s where we really want to get results.”
The team’s debut race, the Portsdown Classic, will offer an early opportunity to showcase their potential. “I think we will be marked,” Streule acknowledges. “Rowan is planning to race, so he will obviously be very much marked. It will be about how we can use the other guys to get Rowan into the position we want him to be in.”
One of Streule’s biggest concerns is providing the team with a race schedule befitting their talent, particularly for riders like Baker and Hicks, who have the potential to progress to higher levels. “I asked Rowan to come to me with a calendar of races he would like to do,” Streule explains. “I said, in your ideal world, if we could do any races in the world, what would you want to do? Because it gives me an aspiration to work towards.”
While National A races remain the primary focus, the team has aspirations to compete internationally, albeit with financial constraints. “I’ve committed to one international trip at the beginning of May, providing we can get invites to the races we want to go to,” Streule explains. “Beyond that, it depends on how we perform, how much noise we create, and how much [financial] support we can attract.”
Racing abroad presents both opportunities and challenges. “You write to an organiser, you say, ‘Hi, we’re not a UCI Continental team, but we’re an elite club team from the UK with some really good riders,’” Streule says. “They might say, ‘Oh, yeah, we could probably find a space for you.’ Then you ask, ‘Any chance you can pay our accommodation while we’re there?’ You’ve got to be a little bit careful how much you ask for, but we’ll certainly try.”
Further investment will be critical if the team is to compete internationally on a regular basis. As Kelly notes, “This first year is about seeing what we can realistically afford to do while tempering that with what makes sense to grow the team sustainably.” The team’s ultimate ambition is to reach UCI Continental status and compete at marquee events like the Tour of Britain, but they acknowledge this will require significant external support. “If Rowan and others start actively winning races, then sure there’ll be more budget,” Kelly says. “If it works, and it turns into bike sales, then we’ll put as much money as we possibly can behind it. But for now, we’re taking it step by step.”
Raptor’s rivals
The UK domestic scene has undergone significant change, with the collapse of several established teams at the end of 2024. This has shifted the competitive landscape, creating both opportunities and new challenges for Raptor Factory Racing.
“I think we’ve moved away from the situation we’ve had the last few years with one dominant team of Saint Piran,” Streule observes. “Now, it’s more spread around. Foran are obviously very good. You’ve got SRCT, Cycling Sheffield, Wheelbase… I mean, there are good teams out there, so we’re not going to have it all our own way.”
While the absence of a single dominant force like Saint Piran might open the door for more competitive racing, it also signals the start of a new era of unpredictability and opportunity in men’s domestic racing. For a new team like Raptor Factory Racing, this could be the perfect moment to carve out a reputation by stepping up and delivering results when it matters most.
Why Raptor and Rule 28 backed the team
For Raptor Bikes, supporting a race team was a natural next step in their journey as a start-up brand, blending their passion for performance with the community ethos that defines their Putney-based business. “The journey was originally, can we build a community of like-minded, active people?” explains co-founder Kelly. “When we first think of the Raptor journey, the idea was, if we could build a community, then we could sell bikes.”
From there, the decision to launch a race team was driven by the need to validate their products on the road. “The next step on the journey is, how do we validate that?” Kelly continues. “We’re not Pinarello; we’re not De Rosa. We don’t have 50 years of history. The quickest way to get that performance validation is just go out there and win as many races as you can. It helps to validate the bike for our average buyer, who says, ‘Can I ride faster on this bike?’ Well, yeah, those guys just won a race on it.”
For fellow co-founder Wright, the team also represents an opportunity to inspire. “It’s about stimulating the racing scene around here, validating our products, and generating content that inspires people to look at this British brand trying to make a difference,” he explains. “If it’s people racing them in rain or sharp heat, that’s inspiring.”
The timing for the team’s creation was serendipitous, as the collapse of several UK domestic squads left a wealth of talented riders without a home. “With the breakdown of some of the other UK teams, it’s just that it’s been a silver lining for us, that things have just happened a lot quicker and to a higher level than we were ever anticipating,” says Kelly. “Because we have this community, and we know a lot of brands now… everybody wants access to the 10,000 people that come [to the Cluhouse] a month.”
The partnership with Sam Calder at Rule 28 adds a vital dimension to the project. Rule 28, known for its aerodynamic racewear, has a strong local connection to Raptor Bikes – both are based in Wandsworth – and shares their focus on supporting grassroots cycling. “We sort of got introduced during Rouleur [Live], and it spiralled from there,” explains Sam. “I think our route into this has been fairly similar. Rule 28 is a small brand trying to compete with the big guys.”
Calder saw in Raptor Factory Racing an opportunity to align with a team that matched Rule 28’s ethos. “We’ve seen the downturn in racing, and we’re trying to support that as best we can,” Calder says. “The visions for how we see the industry and how we’re trying to improve it completely matched.”
For both Raptor Bikes and Rule 28, supporting the team is about more than just selling bikes or kit. It’s about contributing to the broader health of the sport. “It’s about helping people on their journey,” says Calder. “The industry is changing, and whether it’s supporting teams, individuals, or broader projects, it’s about making cycling better.”
As Wright puts it, “We’re not just here to sell bikes, but we do wake up every day thinking, how do we sell bikes? Because that’s what the business is. But we’ve personally got a genuine interest in racing anyway, so there’s an excitement there.”
As Raptor Factory Racing embarks on its debut season, the team is keenly aware of both the challenges and opportunities ahead. With a roster brimming with talent, a strong local identity, and the backing of passionate partners, it represents more than just a new outfit on the domestic scene—it’s a project built on ambition and purpose. Reflecting on the team’s goals, Streule notes, “We’ve got a great mix of riders who can deliver now and others who can grow with us. It’s about creating opportunities and showing there’s still a pathway in the sport.”
Whether they achieve immediate success or simply lay the groundwork for future seasons, Raptor Factory Racing signals an intriguingly fresh approach to team building in British domestic cycling.
Read our domestic team guide here.
Featured image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
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