Two weeks ago.......

Rayner Foundation Annual Dinner Brings Warmth and Star Power to Leeds

Just under 300 guests descended on the Queens Hotel in central Leeds for this year’s Rayner Foundation annual dinner, the first time the event has been staged at the landmark venue, which proved a fittingly grand backdrop for an evening celebrating British cycling’s rising talent. Allan from SWPix captured the night in a sweep of sharp, characterful photographs that reflected both the elegance of the setting and the easy camaraderie in the room. Hannah Walker of TV fame returned as our host and her knowledge and enthusiasm carried the evening along.

Many tables were claimed by junior squads supported through the Foundation’s Gateway scheme, among them FHMAS Design, Tofauti EA Majaco, Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club, Shibden RT, Harrogate Nova RT, Prologue RT, Brother Orientation Marketing and Velo Club Londres, giving the dinner the feel of a convivial reunion as much as a fundraiser. Coaches, parents and young riders mixed freely with past alumni, creating a rare gathering of every rung on the development ladder.

Guest of Honour Millie Couzens, newly crowned British Elite National Road Champion and now racing for Fenix–Deceuninck, spoke briefly about her own formative spell with the Foundation in 2021–22. She was joined by Dan McLay, who recently called time on a standout professional career after first receiving Rayner support between 2011 and 2014, and by Bjoern Koerdt, currently riding for Picnic Post NL after two seasons under CC Étupes with Foundation backing. Harrogate Nova’s Harry Hudson, the sport’s newest Junior World Champion, drew admiring nods all evening, not least from younger riders who had come hoping to glimpse their own future.

A spirited round of Heads and Tails set the tone early on. Koerdt, clearly on a winning streak, walked away with a dartboard that he received with the enthusiasm of someone who fully intends to put it to use.

Bjoern Koerdt had the better of everyone to take the Prize Dartboard in the Heads & Tails

The live auction, always a highlight, offered six particularly tempting lots. Guests bid on artwork by Dry Mango, a Tour of Norway jersey donated by Matty Brennan, and a 2011 World Champion jersey from Mark Cavendish, the sort of memorabilia that sparks immediate table chatter. Unique experiences also went under the hammer, including 24 hours embedded with the Great Britain Cycling Team at the Tour of Britain, a VIP Porsche day at a Sprint Challenge race, and a full day racing in Belgium with Giles Pidcock and his squad. Hudson’s limited-edition World Championships jersey, one of only twenty, rounded off the auction with a flourish.

The final formal presentation of the evening was the parade of 2025 Rayner Supported riders. James Hartley, Huw Buck Jones and Joe Brookes gave chapter and verse on their times in Europe.

Rider of the Year Robyn Clay, who has signed her first pro contract with PicNic post NL, was unfortunately absent due to illness. The trophy was presented by Dan McLay, himself a double winner of this prize.. The other professional contract for 2026 came too late to be mentioned at the dinner. Lucas Towers has been signed by the brand new team Modern Adventure.

As the evening wound down, the sense was less of a formal gala and more of a community taking stock of its progress, proud of its alumni, excited for its juniors, and quietly confident about what another year might bring. The Rayner Foundation, as ever, managed to unite all corners of British cycling under one roof, sending guests home with spirits lifted and ambitions renewed and new friendships formed.

The Rayner Foundation would like to thank all those that helped make the Dinner a success. All the guests, the people behind the scenes and those that have donated.

The complete photo gallery can be seen https://www.swpix.com/gallery/Rayner-Dinner-08-Nov-2025/G0000BF5cGc6JZzk/C0000ou_d4XKBpy0

You can download any of the photos using the password Rayner2025. Our thanks go to Simon at SWpix for their continuing support. Please credit them if you post pics online.