2022 was quite simply the best season ever for the Rayner Foundation in terms of conversion of amateurs to professional. Starting with 31 riders and ending up with 7 riders joining Professional Teams. This is how it went ..
An early graduate of the Rayner Foundation, just as the road season started, Millie Couzens switched from her original team to Plantur Pura, Womens UCI team from Belgium. She is now part of the formation going forward as Fenix Deceuninck a Womens World Tour Team.
Josie Nelson similarly was taken on a permanent contract with Coop Hitec Products a Norwegian UCI Womens Team
Leo Hayter also graduated early. After 2 years of Rayner support he moved into a situation with Hagens Berman Axeon prior to revealing he was to join Team Ineos Grenadiers at the end of the season.
First year as a Rayner supported rider Sam Watson had such a successful early season with Groupama FDJ Conti that it was no surprise that the World Tour Team Groupama FDJ signed him for 2023.
Sean Flynn was another newcomer to the Rayner Foundation in 2022 as he transitioned from Mountain Biker to Road Rider. He raced for the continental team Tudor Pro Cycling and announced late season that he had been signed by Dutch World Tour Team DSM for 2023
Harrison Wood is one of our longest standing Rayner Supported riders having been on the books for 4 years – all his U23 years actually. He has served two teams in that time with steady progress which accelerated this year to the effect of a stagiare contract then a full contract with French Team Cofidis.
Oscar Onley kept us waiting until quite late to confirm what we all suspected would happen. After two years spent as a Rayner Foundation supported rider with DSM Development Team and some spectacular results, they wanted to keep him close and a World Tour Team contract was duly confirmed a few weeks ago.
There were other notable riders we hope will be the next ones to follow.
Oliver Knight of AVC Aix also had some amazing results this season which led to the Stagiare experience with Team UAE Emirates. Expecting developments in 2023?
With such a choice of talent the choosing of the Rider of the Year was a difficult one. Due to his winning of the KatteKoers Gent Wevelgem Nations Cup and the U23 National Road Title amongst other great performances Sam Watson was able to receive the Trophy presented by Keith Lambert at the Dinner in November
The message is, watch out for all these riders on your TV screens next year and if you can, consider fundraising to help us discover the next generation of British talent...