Raptor steps away from its team to launch £20,000 grassroots fund
Raptor Bikes is ending its backing of Raptor Factory Racing to launch a £20,000 grassroots fund — as the team confirms a new title sponsor and plans an expanded 2026 campaign.
Raptor Bikes has announced it is ending its sponsorship of the Raptor Factory Racing team, just a year after launching the project, to focus instead on a new £20,000 initiative supporting grassroots racing and emerging talent across the UK.
The British brand, known for its direct-to-consumer carbon framesets and close ties to the domestic scene, said the move marks “a new approach to supporting British cycling” – one that spreads investment more widely rather than concentrating it in a single elite team.
“Supporting a race team in the UK domestic scene has never been easy,” Raptor said in its statement. “It takes huge dedication from riders, time and resources from partners, and belief from brands willing to back the sport. We’re proud to have supported Raptor Factory Racing this season and grateful to the riders and staff who’ve represented our brand in 2025. However, as we look ahead, our paths are moving in different directions.”
That “different direction” is The Collective Fund — a £20,000 pot seeded by Raptor with backing from GBH Exhibition Forwarding and other partners. It will offer small, targeted grants of £50–£1,000 to race organisers, under-23 riders, clubs, and under-represented groups. Unlike most brand sponsorships, which tend to rely on discounted kit or product deals, Raptor says the fund is about “real financial support”.
One thing we’ve learned is that everyone in racing struggles because most brands give product, not cash. The Collective Fund is different – it’s about real financial support
“One thing we’ve learned is that everyone in racing struggles because most brands give product, not cash,” the company added. “The Collective Fund is different — it’s about real financial support, because that’s what the scene genuinely needs to keep moving forward.”
The fund will open for applications on 1 January 2026, and will be open to all, regardless of bike brand affiliation. Raptor says a simple application process and independent panel will ensure funding “reaches those who need it most — whether that’s helping a race go ahead, covering entry fees, or giving young talent a lift as they pursue the next level.” Further details on eligibility and how to apply will be released in the coming weeks.
Raptor founders Tris Kelly and Brad Wright. Image: Raptor Bikes
From team project to community focus
The decision ends Raptor’s first foray into team ownership — one that began with ambition and optimism. Launched at the beginning of the year, Raptor Factory Racing quickly became a fixture on the National A circuit, fielding a line-up that included National Road Series winners Rowan Baker (East Cleveland Classic victor, 2024) and Dylan Hicks (Beaumont Trophy winner, 2025), alongside a crop of promising riders such as Alex Franks.
At the team’s launch, Raptor co-founder Tris Kelly said the project aimed to combine performance validation for the brand’s bikes with meaningful investment in British racing. “The quickest way to get that performance validation,” he told The British Continental at the time, “is just go out there and win as many races as you can.”
While Raptor says its overall investment in British cycling will increase next year, it has chosen to redirect that support toward riders and organisers across the wider scene.
The team’s response
In a statement shared with The British Continental, Promethean Sports, which runs and manages Raptor Factory Racing, confirmed that Raptor Bikes has chosen not to continue its sponsorship, but said the team’s plans for 2026 remain on track:
Our rider recruitment has been very strong… and the team’s resources and calendar will be greater in 2026 than they were in 2025
“The team is run and managed by Promethean Sports, which is an independent, incorporated entity with arms-length relationships with its sponsors and partners. Team management have been reviewing all our partnerships for 2026 and have a new title sponsor joining the team. The team remains open to discussions with further prospective sponsors and equipment suppliers.
“We have recently been informed that Raptor Bikes have chosen not to continue to support the team, which is focused on giving British riders the opportunity to develop within the sport by focusing both on the top-tier national calendar and UCI races abroad.
“We are already in discussions with alternative bike suppliers and have a number of sponsors and partners already confirmed for 2026, which will be announced in due course. Our rider recruitment has been very strong for 2026 (we received over 150 Elite / Cat 1 / Cat 2 applications) and the team’s resources and calendar will be greater in 2026 than they were in 2025.”
For Raptor, the shift is less a retreat than a refocus — a return to its roots as a brand with a community ethos and domestic outlook.
“Our investment in British cycling isn’t reducing, it’s actually getting bigger for 2026,” it said. “By working with race organisers, teams, and clubs on a national level, we hope to make a bigger, more meaningful impact on British racing year after year.”
By working with race organisers, teams, and clubs on a national level, we hope to make a bigger, more meaningful impact on British racing year after year
If successful, The Collective Fund could prove a significant new source of direct financial support at the grassroots level — a rare injection of cash into a scene that often runs on goodwill alone.
For Raptor Factory Racing, the future looks different but far from uncertain. A new title sponsor is in place, recruitment has been strong, and its ambitions to blend domestic and international racing appear intact.
Raptor Bikes has announced it is ending its sponsorship of the Raptor Factory Racing team, just a year after launching the project, to focus instead on a new £20,000 initiative supporting grassroots racing and emerging talent across the UK.
The British brand, known for its direct-to-consumer carbon framesets and close ties to the domestic scene, said the move marks “a new approach to supporting British cycling” – one that spreads investment more widely rather than concentrating it in a single elite team.
“Supporting a race team in the UK domestic scene has never been easy,” Raptor said in its statement. “It takes huge dedication from riders, time and resources from partners, and belief from brands willing to back the sport. We’re proud to have supported Raptor Factory Racing this season and grateful to the riders and staff who’ve represented our brand in 2025. However, as we look ahead, our paths are moving in different directions.”
That “different direction” is The Collective Fund — a £20,000 pot seeded by Raptor with backing from GBH Exhibition Forwarding and other partners. It will offer small, targeted grants of £50–£1,000 to race organisers, under-23 riders, clubs, and under-represented groups. Unlike most brand sponsorships, which tend to rely on discounted kit or product deals, Raptor says the fund is about “real financial support”.
“One thing we’ve learned is that everyone in racing struggles because most brands give product, not cash,” the company added. “The Collective Fund is different — it’s about real financial support, because that’s what the scene genuinely needs to keep moving forward.”
The fund will open for applications on 1 January 2026, and will be open to all, regardless of bike brand affiliation. Raptor says a simple application process and independent panel will ensure funding “reaches those who need it most — whether that’s helping a race go ahead, covering entry fees, or giving young talent a lift as they pursue the next level.” Further details on eligibility and how to apply will be released in the coming weeks.
From team project to community focus
The decision ends Raptor’s first foray into team ownership — one that began with ambition and optimism. Launched at the beginning of the year, Raptor Factory Racing quickly became a fixture on the National A circuit, fielding a line-up that included National Road Series winners Rowan Baker (East Cleveland Classic victor, 2024) and Dylan Hicks (Beaumont Trophy winner, 2025), alongside a crop of promising riders such as Alex Franks.
At the team’s launch, Raptor co-founder Tris Kelly said the project aimed to combine performance validation for the brand’s bikes with meaningful investment in British racing. “The quickest way to get that performance validation,” he told The British Continental at the time, “is just go out there and win as many races as you can.”
While Raptor says its overall investment in British cycling will increase next year, it has chosen to redirect that support toward riders and organisers across the wider scene.
The team’s response
In a statement shared with The British Continental, Promethean Sports, which runs and manages Raptor Factory Racing, confirmed that Raptor Bikes has chosen not to continue its sponsorship, but said the team’s plans for 2026 remain on track:
“The team is run and managed by Promethean Sports, which is an independent, incorporated entity with arms-length relationships with its sponsors and partners. Team management have been reviewing all our partnerships for 2026 and have a new title sponsor joining the team. The team remains open to discussions with further prospective sponsors and equipment suppliers.
“We have recently been informed that Raptor Bikes have chosen not to continue to support the team, which is focused on giving British riders the opportunity to develop within the sport by focusing both on the top-tier national calendar and UCI races abroad.
“We are already in discussions with alternative bike suppliers and have a number of sponsors and partners already confirmed for 2026, which will be announced in due course. Our rider recruitment has been very strong for 2026 (we received over 150 Elite / Cat 1 / Cat 2 applications) and the team’s resources and calendar will be greater in 2026 than they were in 2025.”
Refocusing the mission
For Raptor, the shift is less a retreat than a refocus — a return to its roots as a brand with a community ethos and domestic outlook.
“Our investment in British cycling isn’t reducing, it’s actually getting bigger for 2026,” it said. “By working with race organisers, teams, and clubs on a national level, we hope to make a bigger, more meaningful impact on British racing year after year.”
If successful, The Collective Fund could prove a significant new source of direct financial support at the grassroots level — a rare injection of cash into a scene that often runs on goodwill alone.
For Raptor Factory Racing, the future looks different but far from uncertain. A new title sponsor is in place, recruitment has been strong, and its ambitions to blend domestic and international racing appear intact.
Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
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