The Rayner Foundation has announced that it is launching a new funding initiative to allow younger riders to gain racing experience in mainland Europe.
The new ‘Gateway Scheme’, is open to male and female junior teams and senior women’s teams with a focus under 23 riders.
The Scheme will sit alongside the Foundation’s existing commitment to assist male and female riders under 23 years of age with the means to travel abroad, set up a home and function on a day-to-day basis before they obtain a professional contract with a European team.
This individual funding, which will now be known as the Springboard Scheme, has produced a stream of talented cyclists who have become household names in the sport.
Explaining the Gateway Scheme, charity trustee, ex-professional and former manager of the Great Britain under-23 road racing team, Keith Lambert, said:
“We wanted to provide further support for younger riders so that they can experience what it is like to race the big European races for juniors and under-23 riders.
“The Gateway Scheme from the Rayner Foundation will contribute to the costs associated with the travel and racing outside the UK, to make it that bit easier for British teams to compete in these races.
“In 2021, we ran a pilot scheme where we provided funding to teams in races such as the Junior Paris Roubaix, La Philippe Gilbert Juniors in Belgium and the Swiss race GP Rüebliland.
“From these rides, we were able to see how much the riders benefitted, and it serves as an excellent introduction to the Foundation's existing Springboard Scheme and ultimately the opportunity to progress to a career in the professional peloton.”
Teams and riders interested in applying for the Gateway Scheme can visit the Gateway scheme application page to apply for a contribution to their overseas trips; the Rayner Foundation Committee will decide upon each application.
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