The British team is set to kick off its international season at the 2025 UEC Elite Track Cycling European Championships, taking place in Zolder, Belgium, from February 12 to 16. With a squad of 20 riders, the British delegation combines experience and youth, featuring three Olympic medalists, seven European medalists, and thirteen promising talents making their debuts at this level—hoping to make a name for themselves ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Strong Ambitions in Both Endurance and Sprint
On the women’s side, the endurance squad boasts more experience than the men’s. The team will be led by Neah Evans, an Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion, alongside Anna Morris, an Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world champion. They will be joined by Sophie Lewis and the young talents Maddie Leech (21) and Grace Lister (20).
In the men’s endurance events, Josh Charlton (21), who briefly held the individual pursuit world record during the 2024 World Championships, will make his European debut. He will race alongside Will Tidball, the 2024 European elimination race runner-up, as well as Rhys Britton, Will Perrett, and Matt Walls—the Tokyo Olympic champion who returns to the track after a stint on the road and some injury setbacks. Rising star Noah Hobbs (20), who shone at the recent U23 European Championships, and British pursuit champion Michael Gill complete the squad.
A Stepping Stone Towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
In the sprint events, Lauren Bell, the 2023 European silver medalist in the team sprint, will be accompanied by U23 European champions Rhian Edmunds, Iona Moir (both 21), and Rhianna Parris-Smith (22), who are making their elite-level debuts after impressive performances in the U23 category.
On the men’s side, Harry Ledingham-Horn (21), who impressed during his first World Championships in 2024, will lead a group that includes Hayden Norris (22), Harry Radford (18), and Lyall Craig. The latter is the fastest U23 sprinter in British history and was fast-tracked into the national program for potential Olympic medal contenders just months after being identified as a future Olympic prospect.
For the team’s leadership, these championships represent a crucial step towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, offering young riders a chance to establish themselves on the international stage. As Stephen Park CBE explained:
“After achieving fantastic results on the track at last summer’s Olympics, it will be exciting to see our Olympians competing once again for European titles. This event is also a great opportunity for some of our young riders, who were inspired by the Games, to establish themselves as athletes to watch ahead of Los Angeles. As a team, Los Angeles 2028 is already firmly in our minds, and this competition gives us a chance to test new lineups and strategies, and to see how we compare to the rest of Europe.”
British Line-Up for the Championships
Women’s Endurance Team:
- Neah Evans
- Sophie Lewis
- Maddie Leech
- Grace Lister
- Anna Morris
Men’s Endurance Team:
- Rhys Britton
- Josh Charlton
- Michael Gill
- Noah Hobbs
- Will Perrett
- Will Tidball
- Matt Walls
Women’s Sprint Team:
- Lauren Bell
- Rhian Edmunds
- Iona Moir
- Rhianna Parris-Smith
Men’s Sprint Team:
- Lyall Craig
- Harry Ledingham-Horn
- Hayden Norris
- Harry Radford
