James Ambrose-Parish interview: One Life Cycle, fresh ambitions, and the fight for racing’s future
James Ambrose-Parish reflects on his team’s rapid rise, outlines their bold plans, and passionately argues why British road racing needs fresh momentum.
On the hallowed boards of the National Cycling Centre, birthplace of so much of Britain’s recent track cycling heritage, an exciting new project faced its first acid test at the Lloyds Bank National Track Championships at the end of February.
Boasting some of the domestic peloton’s finest talent, One Life Cycle is Britain’s newest UCI-registered track team, giving riders the opportunity to impress both at home and overseas without the necessary backing of a national squad. A London-based outfit with an international flavour, the championships marked the start of an ambitious year for the team, with James Ambrose-Parish – a two-time National B road race winner in 2024 – at the forefront of the project. He spoke to The British Continental in a quiet corner of the track centre, revealing the grand plans, and challenges, awaiting over the next twelve months.
“Originally, the team was just London-based with a few other local riders, primarily doing fixed-gear crits,” he explains, outlining the team’s evolution. “In the last two years, we’ve developed from being purely a fixed-gear outfit to focusing more on track. This year represents our next stepping stone: targeting higher-level and UCI track events.
We’ve got a strong calendar planned and some great teammates
-“We’ve got a strong calendar planned and some great teammates,” continues the former fixed-gear world champion, his bike leaning beside him as he prepares for the points race qualification. He will be joined by Junior Individual Pursuit World Champion Henry Hobbs, first-year U23 rider Will Gilbank, and National Madison Champions Frank Longstaff and Tom Ward, all resplendent in the team’s distinctive grey skinsuits. The squad also includes UCI C1 winner George Nemilostivijs, a regular competitor for the Latvian national team and Ambrose-Parish’s madison partner for the past year.
Image: Mark James
“Tom is definitely an innovator,” the Londoner says of Ward, perhaps the squad’s most intriguing and valuable signing. Ward, who produces aerodynamic components widely used on the domestic time-trial scene and has previously consulted for the Welsh Team Pursuit squad, is transforming himself from a pursuit specialist into a rider capable of winning bunch races. “He’s always finding gains for himself. He’s been part of national champion team pursuit squads, and now he’s showing he can apply his pursuit skills in bunch races. Tom won the scratch race at the UCI meeting at Herne Hill – the South London Grand Prix – and demonstrated he could effectively do a pursuit effort in the middle of a bunch race and ride away!” Ambrose-Parish says with a smile, knowing Ward’s methods will benefit the entire team as they build upon a successful 2024. Last year, the team dipped its toes into international racing, their achievements catalysing One Life Cycle’s current ambitions.
“Last year, George and I raced several events around Europe—one in Ireland, one in Prague, and another in Italy. We won all our races in Ireland, including the madison, and we placed in the top ten in Prague against national squad riders. In Italy, George won the scratch—a UCI Class 1 event—and I took second in the elimination, also Class 1. Those results proved we belong at that level, and this year we’re determined to step it up,” he explains. A ride at the London 3 Day in October is among the highlights on Ambrose-Parish’s 2025 calendar, though at the mercy of the UCI’s continually shifting competition structure and rules.
We’re not exactly sure what being a UCI track team means now
“We’re not exactly sure what being a UCI track team means now,” he admits, referencing the governing body’s recent decision to bar trade teams from its flagship Track Nations Cup series, which itself has since ceased to exist. “Hopefully, they’ll introduce something enabling us to race at a high level. Still, it demonstrates our progression and proves we can compete against the world’s best. I hope we can sort something out.”
Ambrose-Parish beats distinguished company at the South London Grand Prix in 2024. Image: Mark James
Ambrose-Parish is perhaps best known for his exploits on the road. A frequent winner at National B level, he’s also a regular in circuit races around London, his home territory. “On the road, I’ll be riding with Ride Revolution [Coaching],” he says, having joined Jake Hales’ squad from TAAP-Kalas over the winter. With significant track ambitions this season, the 26-year-old faces a dilemma. “I’m not sure if I can replicate last year’s success, but we’ll see,” he says pragmatically, reflecting the shifting international track calendar into the European summer. “You must prioritise races. Last year, fortunately, the races I targeted didn’t clash with track commitments. This year, track racing might take priority, though I still want to compete in some Nat Bs and the National Circuit Series.”
We may not always have the highest watts, but that won’t matter. We’ll use our numbers and tactical nous to win
Joining Ride Revolution Coaching aligns Ambrose-Parish with Clay Davies – formerly a friendly rival – with both of Ambrose-Parish’s National B victories last season seeing Davies finish second. “Now we’re teammates; together, we’ll be formidable,” he confidently declares. “Between us last year, we won four National B road races, and Clay alone secured fifteen wins. With Jake Hales, Harry MacFarlane, and Alex Pickering, we’ll have a strong squad, particularly in the Nat Bs. We know how to collaborate, how to read races. We may not always have the highest watts, but that won’t matter. We’ll use our numbers and tactical nous to win.”
Ambrose-Parish at the 2025 Jock Wadley Memorial. Image: Mark James
Ambrose Parish has already tasted victory this season, beating a strong field at the ART Winter Crit series in early March. Yet, this circuit race win highlights the reality of elite cycling in the capital. “It’s difficult,” he says, turning the conversation to the scarcity of road racing in the South East.
A frequent talking point in the domestic scene, the region’s sole National Series race is the Guildford Town Centre Races, with dwindling National B road races also a concern. “We’ve lost probably five Nat Bs in the Eastern Region in the last four years,” notes Ambrose-Parish, who grew up racing on roads north of the capital. “When I was a junior, there were plenty of opportunities every weekend, either a Nat B or a Regional 2/3/4. We’ve lost that infrastructure. Losing the Eastern Road Race League (ERRL) was critical. The league mandated that member clubs host races, greatly supporting racing opportunities. Every road race had a full field. Now there’s little incentive for clubs and teams to organise races. The ERRL is where I grew up racing, and it’s sad to see it diminish, especially as I love racing in Essex. The roads there feel safer, quieter, and easier for marshals. Surrey feels far more stressful.”
Southern England definitely needs more races; otherwise, we’re stuck racing at Hillingdon, Velopark, and Hog Hill – I’d much rather race on open roads
He cites the 2023 Wally Gimber Road Race, abandoned after a collision involving a car, one of “several” incidents he’s encountered. “It’s not the organisers’ fault; the busy Surrey roads just aren’t conducive to road racing,” he says with resignation, suggesting a potential solution: “Perhaps something akin to the ERRL for EDT teams and clubs could work. Southern England definitely needs more races; otherwise, we’re stuck racing at Hillingdon, Velopark, and Hog Hill – I’d much rather race on open roads.”
Ambrose-Parish’s hopes for local improvement coincide with the most exciting phase of his career—a nod to the past as he eyes the future. As 2025 opens new doors, his success will depend not just on his ability but on the opportunities available to showcase it. The sport must expand horizons, both locally and internationally, to nurture talent like his.
On the hallowed boards of the National Cycling Centre, birthplace of so much of Britain’s recent track cycling heritage, an exciting new project faced its first acid test at the Lloyds Bank National Track Championships at the end of February.
Boasting some of the domestic peloton’s finest talent, One Life Cycle is Britain’s newest UCI-registered track team, giving riders the opportunity to impress both at home and overseas without the necessary backing of a national squad. A London-based outfit with an international flavour, the championships marked the start of an ambitious year for the team, with James Ambrose-Parish – a two-time National B road race winner in 2024 – at the forefront of the project. He spoke to The British Continental in a quiet corner of the track centre, revealing the grand plans, and challenges, awaiting over the next twelve months.
“Originally, the team was just London-based with a few other local riders, primarily doing fixed-gear crits,” he explains, outlining the team’s evolution. “In the last two years, we’ve developed from being purely a fixed-gear outfit to focusing more on track. This year represents our next stepping stone: targeting higher-level and UCI track events.
-“We’ve got a strong calendar planned and some great teammates,” continues the former fixed-gear world champion, his bike leaning beside him as he prepares for the points race qualification. He will be joined by Junior Individual Pursuit World Champion Henry Hobbs, first-year U23 rider Will Gilbank, and National Madison Champions Frank Longstaff and Tom Ward, all resplendent in the team’s distinctive grey skinsuits. The squad also includes UCI C1 winner George Nemilostivijs, a regular competitor for the Latvian national team and Ambrose-Parish’s madison partner for the past year.
“Tom is definitely an innovator,” the Londoner says of Ward, perhaps the squad’s most intriguing and valuable signing. Ward, who produces aerodynamic components widely used on the domestic time-trial scene and has previously consulted for the Welsh Team Pursuit squad, is transforming himself from a pursuit specialist into a rider capable of winning bunch races. “He’s always finding gains for himself. He’s been part of national champion team pursuit squads, and now he’s showing he can apply his pursuit skills in bunch races. Tom won the scratch race at the UCI meeting at Herne Hill – the South London Grand Prix – and demonstrated he could effectively do a pursuit effort in the middle of a bunch race and ride away!” Ambrose-Parish says with a smile, knowing Ward’s methods will benefit the entire team as they build upon a successful 2024. Last year, the team dipped its toes into international racing, their achievements catalysing One Life Cycle’s current ambitions.
“Last year, George and I raced several events around Europe—one in Ireland, one in Prague, and another in Italy. We won all our races in Ireland, including the madison, and we placed in the top ten in Prague against national squad riders. In Italy, George won the scratch—a UCI Class 1 event—and I took second in the elimination, also Class 1. Those results proved we belong at that level, and this year we’re determined to step it up,” he explains. A ride at the London 3 Day in October is among the highlights on Ambrose-Parish’s 2025 calendar, though at the mercy of the UCI’s continually shifting competition structure and rules.
“We’re not exactly sure what being a UCI track team means now,” he admits, referencing the governing body’s recent decision to bar trade teams from its flagship Track Nations Cup series, which itself has since ceased to exist. “Hopefully, they’ll introduce something enabling us to race at a high level. Still, it demonstrates our progression and proves we can compete against the world’s best. I hope we can sort something out.”
Ambrose-Parish is perhaps best known for his exploits on the road. A frequent winner at National B level, he’s also a regular in circuit races around London, his home territory. “On the road, I’ll be riding with Ride Revolution [Coaching],” he says, having joined Jake Hales’ squad from TAAP-Kalas over the winter. With significant track ambitions this season, the 26-year-old faces a dilemma. “I’m not sure if I can replicate last year’s success, but we’ll see,” he says pragmatically, reflecting the shifting international track calendar into the European summer. “You must prioritise races. Last year, fortunately, the races I targeted didn’t clash with track commitments. This year, track racing might take priority, though I still want to compete in some Nat Bs and the National Circuit Series.”
Joining Ride Revolution Coaching aligns Ambrose-Parish with Clay Davies – formerly a friendly rival – with both of Ambrose-Parish’s National B victories last season seeing Davies finish second. “Now we’re teammates; together, we’ll be formidable,” he confidently declares. “Between us last year, we won four National B road races, and Clay alone secured fifteen wins. With Jake Hales, Harry MacFarlane, and Alex Pickering, we’ll have a strong squad, particularly in the Nat Bs. We know how to collaborate, how to read races. We may not always have the highest watts, but that won’t matter. We’ll use our numbers and tactical nous to win.”
Ambrose Parish has already tasted victory this season, beating a strong field at the ART Winter Crit series in early March. Yet, this circuit race win highlights the reality of elite cycling in the capital. “It’s difficult,” he says, turning the conversation to the scarcity of road racing in the South East.
A frequent talking point in the domestic scene, the region’s sole National Series race is the Guildford Town Centre Races, with dwindling National B road races also a concern. “We’ve lost probably five Nat Bs in the Eastern Region in the last four years,” notes Ambrose-Parish, who grew up racing on roads north of the capital. “When I was a junior, there were plenty of opportunities every weekend, either a Nat B or a Regional 2/3/4. We’ve lost that infrastructure. Losing the Eastern Road Race League (ERRL) was critical. The league mandated that member clubs host races, greatly supporting racing opportunities. Every road race had a full field. Now there’s little incentive for clubs and teams to organise races. The ERRL is where I grew up racing, and it’s sad to see it diminish, especially as I love racing in Essex. The roads there feel safer, quieter, and easier for marshals. Surrey feels far more stressful.”
He cites the 2023 Wally Gimber Road Race, abandoned after a collision involving a car, one of “several” incidents he’s encountered. “It’s not the organisers’ fault; the busy Surrey roads just aren’t conducive to road racing,” he says with resignation, suggesting a potential solution: “Perhaps something akin to the ERRL for EDT teams and clubs could work. Southern England definitely needs more races; otherwise, we’re stuck racing at Hillingdon, Velopark, and Hog Hill – I’d much rather race on open roads.”
Ambrose-Parish’s hopes for local improvement coincide with the most exciting phase of his career—a nod to the past as he eyes the future. As 2025 opens new doors, his success will depend not just on his ability but on the opportunities available to showcase it. The sport must expand horizons, both locally and internationally, to nurture talent like his.
Featured image: Mark James
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