Absence of British Riders in Elite Women's Road Race at UCI World Championships 2025: Reason Unknown
Great Britain Takes a Targeted Approach at UCI Road World Championships
The UCI Road World Championships this year sees a significant shift in Great Britain's squad selection, with a focus on the under-23 events. This decision comes as British Cycling prioritises events with medal prospects, marking the first time in more than three decades that there are no British riders in the elite women's road race.
In the under-23 women's events, Zoe Bäckstedt is aiming for the time trial title, while Cat Ferguson, an elite pro for WorldTour team Movistar, will lead the British squad. Unfortunately, Pfeiffer Georgi is sidelined with injury, and Millie Couzens will be competing in the under-23 events.
On the men's side, only one rider, Callum Thornley, will represent Great Britain in the under-23 men's race. Josh Tarling, a former bronze medallist in the event, is not racing due to a back injury sustained at the Giro d'Italia. Great Britain will not field any riders in the elite men's time trial.
Great Britain will field its full qualifying quota of eight riders in the elite men's road race. However, the Netherlands, Italy, and Ireland are also taking reduced squads, reflecting the challenging courses and expensive logistics costs that have influenced various federations' squad selections.
It's worth noting that Ferguson is currently the highest-placed female British rider in the UCI's elite rankings (22nd). Anna Henderson is the only British entrant in the elite women's events, competing only in the time trial.
The budget for the Great Britain Cycling Team comes as part of its Olympic cycle funding, which must be managed across four years. The Rwanda World Championships fall at the start of the second year of the Los Angeles 2028 cycle.
For more details about the complete 25-rider squad for Great Britain, please visit the provided link. The successes of past British riders in the event, such as Nicole Cooke, who won the women's road race at the World Championships in 2008, and Lizzie Deignan, who won in 2015, serve as a testament to the potential of the current squad.
Despite the absence of British riders in the elite women's road race, the focus on the under-23 events indicates a strategic approach to nurturing future talent and maintaining Great Britain's competitive edge in cycling.
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