Wheelbase CabTech Castelli sign Adam Hartley for second half of season
A conversation about 2027 became an immediate opportunity for a short-handed National Road Series team and a former elite prospect finding out how far an unexpected comeback can take him. Adam Hartley makes his Wheelbase debut at Sunday's Lancaster Grand Prix.
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli have signed Adam Hartley for the remainder of the 2026 season, the team has confirmed to The British Continental. The deal had initially been discussed for 2027. Instead, Hartley will make his debut at Sunday’s Lancaster Grand Prix after his appetite for a quicker return coincided with Wheelbase’s need for reinforcements.
Manager Stuart Reid had approached Hartley, through mutual friend Tom Martin, with next season in mind. Hartley came back keen to get involved sooner, while crash injuries and other commitments had left Wheelbase short-handed. “It’s actually quite a good fit, really,” Reid said.
The riders that I take on have to fit within the group that I already have, and I’m sure Adam will do that
For Reid, it is less a new signing than the return of a known quantity. He has known Hartley since his junior days, and was clear that a place in his squad is not earned on results alone. “The riders that I take on have to fit within the group that I already have, and I’m sure Adam will do that,” he said. “Being friends with Tom, and a North West-based rider as many of my lads are, he knows most of them, and most of them will know him. I’m sure it will be an easy fit when he comes in.”
Hartley’s route back to this level has been one of the more unusual stories of the season. He rode for the SEG Racing Academy, racing mainly in Europe, before walking away from the sport in 2019. He returned by degrees over the past year: the Fred Whitton Challenge in May, a win at Castle Carrock, and then, last month, the overall at the Mennock Pass Stage Race, where he overturned a seven-second final-day deficit through the time bonuses at Wanlockhead to win by two seconds.
Hartley (centre) after winning the Mennock Pass stage race. Image: Corin Halliday
“The opportunity came about through a good friendship with Tom Martin, and after a few conversations everything fell into place,” Hartley said. “It felt like the right time to get back involved and challenge myself at this level again.”
Hartley knows the return will not be straightforward. “It’s been a long time since I’ve raced consistently at this level, so I’m under no illusions that it’ll be a challenge,” he said. “I’m excited to see what I can do, but more importantly I’m looking forward to giving everything I have for the team.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve raced consistently at this level, so I’m under no illusions that it’ll be a challenge
He spent this week training in the Pyrenees with Blackpool Clarion, preparation for the races ahead. Hartley hopes his experience at a higher level, allied to his recent form, can add another dimension to a team already near the top of the standings: TomArmstrong leads the open National Road Series, with Martin second.
Reid sees the arrangement as reciprocal. Wheelbase gain a rider with experience well beyond the domestic calendar; Hartley gets a settled team environment in which to test how far his return can go. “I’m happy to give him that platform and see how he progresses,” Reid said. “He’s a really good lad, obviously a rider of very high pedigree, and hopefully he can be an asset to the team — and we can be the same to him.”
Beyond Lancaster, he confirmed Hartley will ride the Beaumont Trophy and the North Yorkshire Grand Prix, with regional and national races in between.
Hartley’s first test comes on the demanding Quernmore circuit on Sunday. The British Continental’s full preview and startlists for the Lancaster Grand Prix are here.
Wheelbase CabTech Castelli have signed Adam Hartley for the remainder of the 2026 season, the team has confirmed to The British Continental. The deal had initially been discussed for 2027. Instead, Hartley will make his debut at Sunday’s Lancaster Grand Prix after his appetite for a quicker return coincided with Wheelbase’s need for reinforcements.
Manager Stuart Reid had approached Hartley, through mutual friend Tom Martin, with next season in mind. Hartley came back keen to get involved sooner, while crash injuries and other commitments had left Wheelbase short-handed. “It’s actually quite a good fit, really,” Reid said.
For Reid, it is less a new signing than the return of a known quantity. He has known Hartley since his junior days, and was clear that a place in his squad is not earned on results alone. “The riders that I take on have to fit within the group that I already have, and I’m sure Adam will do that,” he said. “Being friends with Tom, and a North West-based rider as many of my lads are, he knows most of them, and most of them will know him. I’m sure it will be an easy fit when he comes in.”
Hartley’s route back to this level has been one of the more unusual stories of the season. He rode for the SEG Racing Academy, racing mainly in Europe, before walking away from the sport in 2019. He returned by degrees over the past year: the Fred Whitton Challenge in May, a win at Castle Carrock, and then, last month, the overall at the Mennock Pass Stage Race, where he overturned a seven-second final-day deficit through the time bonuses at Wanlockhead to win by two seconds.
“The opportunity came about through a good friendship with Tom Martin, and after a few conversations everything fell into place,” Hartley said. “It felt like the right time to get back involved and challenge myself at this level again.”
Hartley knows the return will not be straightforward. “It’s been a long time since I’ve raced consistently at this level, so I’m under no illusions that it’ll be a challenge,” he said. “I’m excited to see what I can do, but more importantly I’m looking forward to giving everything I have for the team.”
He spent this week training in the Pyrenees with Blackpool Clarion, preparation for the races ahead. Hartley hopes his experience at a higher level, allied to his recent form, can add another dimension to a team already near the top of the standings: TomArmstrong leads the open National Road Series, with Martin second.
Reid sees the arrangement as reciprocal. Wheelbase gain a rider with experience well beyond the domestic calendar; Hartley gets a settled team environment in which to test how far his return can go. “I’m happy to give him that platform and see how he progresses,” Reid said. “He’s a really good lad, obviously a rider of very high pedigree, and hopefully he can be an asset to the team — and we can be the same to him.”
Beyond Lancaster, he confirmed Hartley will ride the Beaumont Trophy and the North Yorkshire Grand Prix, with regional and national races in between.
Hartley’s first test comes on the demanding Quernmore circuit on Sunday. The British Continental’s full preview and startlists for the Lancaster Grand Prix are here.
Featured image: Corin Halliday
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