Over a yr after it appointed a process drive, British Biking has stated it has made some “fast progress” in revitalising home racing, however nonetheless has a solution to go.
On Friday, the governing physique shared a progress replace from its process drive conferences, chaired by three-time Olympic champion Ed Clancy and first assembled in August final yr. The group printed 16 broad suggestions in January, suggesting methods to enhance the British racing scene.
In accordance with the newest replace, British Biking has tackled fewer than half of those suggestions over the past eight months.
The federation’s greatest achievement got here in securing the ladies’s and males’s editions of the Tour of Britain, which ran efficiently in June and September, following issues that they might not happen. To sponsor the occasions, British Biking struck a “main long-term” partnership with Lloyds Financial institution, who additionally help the Nationwide Street Championships and racing collection.
Nonetheless, the replace made clear, extra progress must be made in occasions under the elite ranks.
“The financial actuality, rising complexity and price of delivering races on the freeway are all difficulties that we embrace,” British Biking stated.
“To not point out the monetary stress and dangers positioned on volunteers who select to organise occasions and the dwindling variety of licence holders and occasion organisers, all with a larger have to drive business income.”
Earlier this week, the organiser of the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix introduced that the race will stop to proceed in its present kind. The occasion was a part of the Nationwide Street Sequence, the highest tier of home racing, which has shrunk lately. This season, the collection counted 5 races within the open class and 6 for the ladies; in 2019, earlier than the Covid pandemic, there have been 10 open races and eight girls’s races.
Whereas British Biking’s process drive replace revealed restricted progress in serving to the Nationwide Street Sequence, it did “acknowledge the frustration” surrounding cancelled occasions.
The governing physique added that it’s now on the lookout for options which are “sustainable” and greater than a “sticking plaster”.
Over the following six months, British Biking has stated it should look to spice up the profile of the Nationwide Street and Circuit Sequence, create a “successful sample” playbook for internet hosting occasions, and work intently with native authorities.
“We’ll proceed to report on our progress often, however know we are able to solely obtain our objectives with the help of the entire group,” the replace learn.
