One Pro Cycling scraps plans to launch women's team

One Pro Cycling has scrapped plans to launch a women’s team for the 2019 season, citing lack of sufficient sponsorship.

Last month the team’s founder, former England wicket keeper Matt Prior, said that it was moving away from the men’s side of the sport and was aiming to secure a place in the UCI Women’s WorldTour.

> One Pro Cycling to switch from men’s to women’s racing

The team had started racing at UCI Continental level in 2015 and moved up to UCI Professional Continental level in 2016 before dropping back down the following year.

Speaking last month, Prior highlighted the difficulties of securing sufficient sponsorship to compete in men’s cycling, and contrasted that with the much lower level of money that would be needed to run a successful women’s team.

But in a statement released today, the team said: “One Pro Cycling are sadly forced to announce that we will not be able to run a UCI cycling team for the 2019 season.

“The team were committed to putting together a woman’s UCI squad for next season but due to lack of sponsorship we have not been able to raise a satisfactory budget to match our aims. 

“We are keen to pick up this journey for 2020 and will continue conversations throughout 2019.

“One Pro Cycling would like to thank all members, fans, partners and staff for their support. 

“We set out with a hugely ambitious plan and are very proud of everything we have achieved over the past four years.”