SEG Racing Academy returns 🎉
Dave Rayner Foundation announces 2025 supported riders
Hi Subscribers,
It’s a sleepy Sunday afternoon here, so I thought I’d gather two stories from the last few days and post them in one newsletter.
Firstly, we have the news that the SEG Racing Academy will return in 2025 after a three-year absence, while the Dave Rayner Foundation has announced a list of young riders who will be supported on the road this season. It’s all good news, especially for juniors and U23 riders finding their feet.
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Daniel
We’ll start with the welcome return of the SEG Racing Academy.
For those who don’t know, the SEG Racing Academy was founded in 2015 and ran until the end of the 2021 season. Based in the Netherlands, the team discovered a lot of European talent and brought riders through at the U23 level. Many of the riders who graduated from the team have gone on to hugely impressive WorldTour careers.
Edoardo Affini, Stephen Williams, Jordi Meeus, Fabio Jakobsen, Julius van den Berg, Nick Schultz, Thymen Arensman, Alberto Dainese, Kaden Groves and Mathias Norsgaard all used the team as a stepping stone to greater achievements in the pro ranks.
The focus for the Academy in 2025 will be on U17 and U19 riders, but unlike before, the Academy will not race as a singular team. Instead, SEG will partner with squads in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany: AcrogTormans, Goudenbad-Parkhotel Development Team, and German Junior Racing and help develop the riders already on those rosters. The riders will have access to TrainingsPeaks, Strava, BrainsFirst, ZwiM and Talent Academy Group as part of the Academy.
“Between 2015 and 2021, the Academy significantly professionalised cycling talent development. We had a real impact. 36 riders made the leap from the Academy to the pro ranks, including Jordi Meeus, Fabio Jakobsen, Cees Bol, Stevie Williams, Thymen Arensman, Kaden Groves, Edoardo Affini and Daan Hoole. We are now reviving SEG Racing Academy because we remain passionate about helping talented riders reach the top. The difference is that we now focus on younger talent: U17 and U19s. SEG Racing Academy gives them the opportunity to develop as a rider and gain invaluable experience. We are confident that we will be able to help some of them reach the pro ranks, SEG Cycling director Eelco Berkhout said.
Additionally, SEG Racing Academy will invite male and female riders from around the world and across various cycling disciplines to join an exclusive scholarship programme. The riders will receive mentorship, physical and mental assessments, and data analysis.
This will no doubt help riders, while also giving SEG - one of the most respected rider agencies in the world - the chance to identify and help develop potential young talent.
In other good news, the Dave Rayner Foundation have announced their riders for 2025. In total, there are 38 riders (a record!) being supported.
The Foundation was founded in 1995 following the tragic death of Dave Rayner. Since then the charity has raised over £1.2 million in rider support and helped over 90 riders turn professional.
One of my aims this year is to interview as many riders on this list as possible. I’ve ticked off one so far (Joe Cosgrove, so just another 37 to go!).
The riders receiving support in 2025 are:
Ben Askey (CC Etupes), Brandon Baldacci (Ciclista Rostese), Ollie Boarer (SCO Dijon), Ben Bright (ASPTT Nancy), Joe Brookes (AVC Aix), Jack Brough (AVC Aix), Huw Buck (Bourg en Bresse), Ben Chilton (Mayene V en B Monbana), Taylor Churchill (Hubo Scott CT), Robyn Clay (DAS Hutchinson), Joe Cosgrove (Lotto Kern Huis PSD Bank), Mattie Dodd (Tirol KTC), Alistair Gardner (CC Etupes), Alfie George (SCO Dijon), Sebastian Grindley (Lidl Trek Devo), James Hartley (Team Briquebec Cotentin), Ella Jamieson (Massi Bax Ter), Max Krasinski (Apoge Charente Maritime), Mark Lightfoot (AVC Aix), Owen Lightfoot (CC Rias Baixas), Matthew Lord (Briquebec Cotentin), Nick Makin (Hubo Scott CT), Ben Marsh (Apoge Charent Maritime), Thomas Mead (Chartres Cyclisme), Adam Mitchell (Vendee U), Paul Opie (Chartres Cyclisme), Bradley Perkins (AC Bisontine), Will Piccin (EFC Van Mossel), Alex Pickering (SUMMER TBA), Awen Roberts (Canyon SRAM Gen), Joseph Smith (ESEG Douai), Will Smith (Visma LAB Devo), Jed Smithson (Visma LAB Devo), Matt Thompson (BMC Beziers), Lucas Towers (Caja Rural U23), Joseph Turnbull (Sima Cepial), Callum Twelves (Torres Trigon), and George Wood (MGK Vis Colours for Peace).
To find out more about the Foundation and make a donation, click here.
Tomorrow we’ll have an exclusive interview with Larry Warbasse.
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