British Cycling confirms 2026 Elite Development Teams
British Cycling has confirmed its Elite Development Teams for 2026, with churn rather than contraction in the men’s cohort, continuity on the women’s side.
British Cycling has announced its Elite Development Teams for the 2026 season, continuing the programme first launched in 2021 to bridge the gap between ambitious domestic set-ups and the UCI Continental level.
Elite Development Team (EDT) status remains British Cycling’s primary mechanism for recognising teams working to support young, talented riders on a pathway towards the professional ranks. As in previous seasons, the designation brings guaranteed entry for up to eight riders into all Lloyds National Road Series and Lloyds National Circuit Series events. British Cycling also promises promotional and administrative support to EDT teams.
Change at the top
Compared to 2025, the open EDT cohort sees two teams exit and two enter, leaving the overall number unchanged.
360 Cycling and Muc-Off SRCT-Storck drop off the list, while JAKROO Handsling Racing and Stolen Goat 4Endurance step into the programme for 2026.
The absence of Muc-Off SRCT-Storck is the most striking change. The team closed at the end of 2025 despite being the most successful men’s domestic team of recent seasons – a reminder that results alone offer little protection against the structural and financial pressures facing British elite racing.
Another notable development is the continuation – and rebranding – of Spirit. The team will compete in 2026 as O’Neills Spirit Racing Team, reflecting a new title sponsorship agreement and providing welcome continuity for a programme that has previously faced uncertainty around backing.
On the women’s side, the lineup is unchanged in substance from 2025. Paralloy RT appears on the list following a title sponsor change, but this is the same team previously registered as Team Boompods.
The 2026 Elite Development Teams
Open Elite Development Teams
BCC Race Team
Cycling Sheffield
DAS Richardsons
JAKROO Handsling Racing (new for 2026)
O’Neills Spirit Racing Team (new title sponsor)
Stolen Goat 4Endurance (new for 2026)
Team PB Performance
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
Women’s Elite Development Teams
Brother UK / OnForm
FTP Racing
Loughborough Lightning
Paralloy RT (new title sponsor)
What it takes to become an Elite Development Team in 2026
First launched in November 2020, the EDT programme is intended to recognise teams offering a high standard of rider support and a credible development environment, bridging the gap between club racing and UCI Continental operations.
British Cycling says that successful teams are selected based not simply on results, but on the quality and structure of support offered to riders across racing, welfare and logistics. A £150 registration fee applies in addition to standard affiliation fees.
Essential criteria
To be eligible for EDT status in 2026, British Cycling said that teams had to meet the following minimum requirements:
Teams must consist of between six and 16 riders
All riders must be Elite, 1st or 2nd Category (progressing 3rd Category riders permitted for women’s teams)
Riders must have experience of National A and/or National B road races, or equivalent level
A minimum of 30% under-23 riders for men’s teams, and 50% under-28 for women’s teams
At least 80% of riders must be British
All staff must hold a valid British Cycling licence with appropriate endorsement
Teams must appoint a Rider Welfare Officer who is not related to the team manager
Riders must list the team as their primary road club
Teams are required to contest at least 80% of the Lloyds National Road Series.
Expectations placed on EDT teams
Beyond eligibility, British Cycling sets clear expectations around delivery and professionalism:
Support for both the Lloyds National Road Series and Lloyds National Circuit Series
Contribution towards riders’ national and international race expenses
Provision of appropriate equipment (team bikes, clothing and race kit)
Staff presence at National Series events before, during and after racing
Provision of a team car, with appropriate racking and equipment – and a minimum of two staff members (e.g. driver and mechanic) in the race convoy
Benefits of EDT status
In return, British Cycling says that Elite Development Teams will receive:
Formal recognition as an Elite Development Team
Guaranteed entry for up to eight riders in all Lloyds National Road and Circuit Series events
Team profiles hosted on the British Cycling website, including links to social channels
Expectation of access to education and training, including safeguarding and anti-doping workshops
Enhanced support with licence administration.
Featured image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
British Cycling has announced its Elite Development Teams for the 2026 season, continuing the programme first launched in 2021 to bridge the gap between ambitious domestic set-ups and the UCI Continental level.
Elite Development Team (EDT) status remains British Cycling’s primary mechanism for recognising teams working to support young, talented riders on a pathway towards the professional ranks. As in previous seasons, the designation brings guaranteed entry for up to eight riders into all Lloyds National Road Series and Lloyds National Circuit Series events. British Cycling also promises promotional and administrative support to EDT teams.
Change at the top
Compared to 2025, the open EDT cohort sees two teams exit and two enter, leaving the overall number unchanged.
360 Cycling and Muc-Off SRCT-Storck drop off the list, while JAKROO Handsling Racing and Stolen Goat 4Endurance step into the programme for 2026.
The absence of Muc-Off SRCT-Storck is the most striking change. The team closed at the end of 2025 despite being the most successful men’s domestic team of recent seasons – a reminder that results alone offer little protection against the structural and financial pressures facing British elite racing.
Another notable development is the continuation – and rebranding – of Spirit. The team will compete in 2026 as O’Neills Spirit Racing Team, reflecting a new title sponsorship agreement and providing welcome continuity for a programme that has previously faced uncertainty around backing.
On the women’s side, the lineup is unchanged in substance from 2025. Paralloy RT appears on the list following a title sponsor change, but this is the same team previously registered as Team Boompods.
The 2026 Elite Development Teams
Open Elite Development Teams
Women’s Elite Development Teams
What it takes to become an Elite Development Team in 2026
First launched in November 2020, the EDT programme is intended to recognise teams offering a high standard of rider support and a credible development environment, bridging the gap between club racing and UCI Continental operations.
British Cycling says that successful teams are selected based not simply on results, but on the quality and structure of support offered to riders across racing, welfare and logistics. A £150 registration fee applies in addition to standard affiliation fees.
Essential criteria
To be eligible for EDT status in 2026, British Cycling said that teams had to meet the following minimum requirements:
(progressing 3rd Category riders permitted for women’s teams)
Expectations placed on EDT teams
Beyond eligibility, British Cycling sets clear expectations around delivery and professionalism:
– and a minimum of two staff members (e.g. driver and mechanic) in the race convoy
Benefits of EDT status
In return, British Cycling says that Elite Development Teams will receive:
Featured image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
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