{"id":39857,"title":"Junior cycling team Tofauti-Everyone Active","description":"Few people would dispute that British road racing is experiencing a difficult time. The number of events and competitors is down and cycle racing on the road is facing greater challenges than ever. Against this background, how are young British riders gaining the experience and opportunity to showcase their potential to professional cycling teams? One man who\u2019s helping is Ian Mansel-Thomas who runs the Tofauti-Everyone Active junior cycling team","content":"

Few people would dispute that British road racing is experiencing a difficult time. The number of events and competitors is down and cycle racing on the road is facing greater challenges than ever.<\/p>

Against this background, how are young British riders gaining the experience and opportunity to demonstrate their potential to professional cycling teams? One man who\u2019s helping is Ian Mansel-Thomas who runs the Tofauti-Everyone Active junior team.<\/p>

\"Tofauti-EveryoneCarys Lloyd wins the UCI 1.1. race at Plouay 2023. Image: Nicholas Vaucoleur<\/em><\/p>

In a recent article Is British road racing dying?<\/strong><\/a> we investigated the claim made by Tao Geoghegan Hart that British cycle racing was dying. We discovered two contrasting views of British road racing.<\/p>

On one hand, there are many fewer events and competitors than prior to the Covid pandemic. On the other hand, British cyclists make up nine percent of the Women\u2019s World Tour and six percent of the men\u2019s World Tour Teams.<\/p>

How are British riders breaking through into professional teams even if the opportunities to race at home are limited. We turned to Ian Mansel-Thomas who\u2019s been running the Tofauti-Everyone Active junior team<\/strong><\/a> since 2019 to find out how the team is providing that vital chance.<\/p>

The team\u2019s aim is to offer a showcase for junior male and female talent with the ambition of becoming professional riders. From last year\u2019s team, one signed for a Women\u2019s World Tour Team and three for World Tour development teams.<\/p>

The team<\/h2>

Where it began - Youth Tour of Assen<\/strong><\/h3>

The Youth Tour of Assen, now known as the European Junior Cycling Tour Assen<\/strong><\/a>, is an event for youths and juniors that\u2019s been running in the Dutch city since the 1960s. It\u2019s recognised as one of the world\u2019s best events for aspiring racing cyclists with participants from around the world and usually a strong British presence.<\/p>

\"TomosTomos Pattinson won Liege-Bastogen-Liege Juniors UCI 1.1 2023. Image: Tofauti-Everyone Active<\/em><\/p>

It was at the 2019 edition where Ian was attending in support of his son that the seeds of the Tofauti-Everyone Active team were born. In the lull of an evening, when all the stage\u2019s duties were complete, a conversation sprang up about the \u2018perfect junior team.\u2019<\/p>

Over a couple of evenings Ian and his son, then a first-year junior, expanded upon this idea and sketched out how it might be funded and structured. It grew from an idea into realisation in just a short space of time.<\/p>

Covid pandemic<\/h3>

Team personnel were recruited from the parents of other juniors and by the end of 2019 sponsors were onboard too. But only 48 hours away from the team\u2019s first race in Belgium their plans were nullified when the first Covid restrictions came into force.
\"visualABOUT RIJDEN<\/strong>: Rijden grew from a passion for Flemish-style cycle racing. We're a small UK independent that publishes a <\/em>free online cycling magazine<\/em><\/strong><\/a> and sustainable gifts for fans of cycling\u2019s classics and cyclocross. Read <\/em>more about Rijden<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>

\"visualFortunately, the sponsors remained with the team for the 2021 season which was restricted to racing in the UK with the exception of a single venture to France.<\/p>

Team volunteers<\/h3>

Initially, almost all the team\u2019s volunteers were drawn from the ranks of the riders\u2019 parents. But this has changed over time and now the volunteer helpers are an equal balance of parents and voluntary team staff.<\/p>

Whilst recognising that parental help is invaluable, Ian believes that it\u2019s been a positive move to increase the number of outside supporters. It reduces the impact of parents moving on when their child leaves the team at the end of their junior years.<\/p>

Additionally, Ian believes it\u2019s better for the riders to work with non-family members on the team as they prepare for potential professional careers. Ian\u2019s crew of unpaid enthusiasts are typically drawn from his circle of acquaintances and members of his local Colchester Rovers cycling club.<\/p>

\"AmeliaAmelia Ceback (centre) and Becky Gardiner (right) scored a 1-2 at Gent Wevelgem Juniors UCI 1.1 2024 with Cat Ferguson. Image: Gent Wevelgem In Flanders Fields<\/em><\/p>

But increasingly, the team\u2019s social media presence and success on the road attracts new recruits to their cause. Most helpers assist at a couple of races abroad and for a few days of hard work, they experience the thrill of top international junior racing up close.<\/p>

Full-time commitment<\/h3>

The majority of the day-to-day operation of the team falls on Ian\u2019s shoulders. It helps that he now works part-time but together with the time he spends on Tofauti-Everyone Active, it\u2019s a more than full-time commitment.<\/p>

He receives help from his son who largely missed out on his junior years due to Covid but at 23 still rides and helps as a mechanic and Sports Director.<\/p>

I ask Ian if he receives any formal assistance from British Cycling. He smiles politely and I move on to my next question.<\/p>

Team riders<\/h2>

The mixed eighteen-rider 2024 team consists of sixteen British and two Irish juniors. Highlights this season include Amelia Cebak\u2019s triumph at the junior Gent-Wevelgem where she led home her teammate Rebecca Gardiner in a select group of twenty.<\/p>

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To underline the strength in British junior women\u2019s racing, Britons comprised six of the top seven at Gent-Wevelgem. On the men\u2019s side, Joshua Jackson impressed with ninth place at the Ronde van Vlaanderen Juniors with teammate Ollie Boarer 17th.<\/p>

Rider support<\/strong><\/h3>

At present Ian is engaged on the sponsorship hunt for future seasons. A task that he describes as more challenging than ever. Sponsors are often unwilling to hand over hard cash as opposed to free or discounted kit.<\/p>

Last year, they were able to offer the riders Trek bikes through a dealer. How much the team can support the riders depends on those critical sponsorship deals. The team contributes to the riders\u2019 expenses and race entries.<\/p>

Ian says they\u2019d need to double their budget to cover all the riders\u2019 costs. As well as the financial help the team members are provided with transport, the services of mechanics, soigneurs and a sports director.<\/p>

\"EllaElla Maclean-Howell (centre) won the 2021 UCI Clanfield Cyclocross from Emily Carrick-Anderson (left) and Niahm Murphy. Image: Rijden.<\/em><\/p>

Crucially, they\u2019re provided with the opportunity to ride the top international junior races which they would not be able to enter as individuals or part of a less well-known team.<\/p>

Rider selection<\/strong><\/h3>

When the team was first established, they were happy just to fill the slots on the team. Now, as their reputation has grown, they have established an application process for prospective riders.<\/p>

As their mission is to provide young cyclists the opportunity to display their talent to UCI teams with the aim of a professional career, they look for individuals with the same ambition. It means they focus on riders who have already demonstrated their potential as youths.<\/p>

\"visualREAD MORE<\/strong>: Read all of our cobbles & classics articles for free<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. If you share our passion for cycling\u2019s classics and Flemish-style racing then explore all of Rijden\u2019s cobbles & classics articles.<\/em><\/p>

\"Read<\/a><\/p>

Ian recognises this is elitist, but they don\u2019t have the capacity or budget to support a more broad brush approach and if they don\u2019t provide the riders with this opportunity, who will?<\/p>

They look at the results from key youth races including the Youth Tour of Scotland, Northwest Youth Tour, Isle of Man Youth & Junior Tour and Scarborough Cycling Festival. Additionally, they receive referrals from coaches and other contacts known to them, plus numerous speculative enquiries.<\/p>

Typically, they\u2019ll have spoken to potential riders whilst they are still in the youth category to ensure their aims and attitudes are aligned.<\/p>

Road racing focussed<\/h3>

One of their earliest riders was Ella Maclean-Howell who successfully combined road racing, mountain biking and cyclocross. Ian regards the Welsh star and Great Britain team member as somewhat unique in her ability to successfully juggle the various disciplines.<\/p>

Many of the team\u2019s members mix road racing with cyclocross and track racing but the summer mountain biking calendar clashes too much.<\/p>

Ian\u2019s advice to any youth rider who wants to discover road racing is to head to Belgium. It was Ian\u2019s experience of taking his son to race in Belgium that infected him with a passion that ultimately led to the establishment of the team.<\/p>

\"AmeliaAmelia Cebak crowned UK junior road race champion in 2023 with Cat Ferguson (right) and Lucy Glover (left). Image: Tofauti-Everyone Active.<\/em><\/p>

His imagination was captured by the sight of professionally run races with up to 100 hundred youths racing on closed roads.<\/p>

A dad\u2019s view<\/strong><\/h3>

I spoke to Phil Boarer, dad of team rider Ollie who is in his second year with Tofauti-Everyone Active. This season, 2024, he has impressed with 7th<\/sup> place at the junior version of Liege-Bastogne-Liege, 17th<\/sup> at Ronde van Vlaanderen Juniors and 11th<\/sup> at Classique Alpes Juniors.<\/p>

The West Sussex rider had the classic youth experience of circuit racing, track racing, cyclocross and mountain biking but decided to focus on road racing where his natural aptitude for climbing comes to the fore.<\/p>

Phil confirmed that Ollie\u2019s race programme within the UK is very limited. Apart from the Portsdown Classic in February, which is promoted by Phil\u2019s club RC Ravenna, Ollie has raced exclusively abroad.<\/p>

It\u2019s a deliberate approach. As Phil observes, racing in Europe provides him with the opportunity to race against the best whilst giving him exposure to the scouts of World Tour Teams.<\/p>

The Tofauti connection<\/strong><\/h3>

The Tofauti Foundation is a registered charity established by Olympic gold medallist Crista Cullen MBE. The GB hockey player grew up in Kenya and following her success at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games she established the foundation. It aims to make sustained environmental change in Africa.<\/p>

\"AmeliaAmelia Ceback (right) and Becky Gardiner (left) finished first and second at Gent Wevelgem Juniors UCI 1.1 2024. Image: Gent Wevelgem In Flanders Fields.<\/em><\/p>

Ian decided to partner with a charity and through a mutual connection established the link. The Tofauti Foundation do not provide any financial support to the team which helps to promote awareness of the charity and its aims.<\/p>

Rider development partnership<\/h2>

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL<\/strong><\/h3>

Increasingly it seems, World Tour teams are looking to the juniors to snap up the next Remco Evenepoel. Whilst riders, at least in the male ranks, rarely jump from junior racing straight into a World Tour Team, they are being signed up for under-23 UCI-Continental development teams.<\/p>

It\u2019s more common for women to go straight from the junior category into the World Tour. Females physically mature earlier than males and, at present, there\u2019s a more limited pool of female riders.<\/p>

Many of the World Tour Teams have developed partnerships with junior squads although some such as Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale and Groupama-FDJ have their own junior teams. Team Tofauti- Everyone Active has established itself as Team dsm-firmenich\u2019s development partner for the UK and Ireland.<\/p>

Ian wanted to replicate the set-up operated by continental-based junior teams. At the time, no other British junior team had such an arrangement. It\u2019s not exclusive to riders on his team though as he connects Team dsm-firmenich with other juniors and youths in the UK and Ireland.<\/p>

Unparalleled resources<\/h3>

One key criterion for Ian was that the partnering World Tour Team had to have both a men\u2019s and women\u2019s team. That naturally excluded Great Britain\u2019s only World Tour Team.<\/p>

Being a Team Tofauti-Everyone Active rider doesn\u2019t guarantee a place with Team dsm-firmenich, but it means Team dsm-firmenich is tracking their progress and has access to unparalleled resources such as rider testing.<\/p>

Approximately every six weeks Team dsm-firmenich provides a webinar to the junior team\u2019s riders on topics such as nutrition and how the scouting process works.<\/p>

Team dsm-firmenich\u2019s scouts are regularly seen at European junior races, occasionally joining Ian in the team car and chatting with team members.<\/p>

Successes<\/strong><\/h2>

If the aim of the team is to assist riders to establish themselves as full-time professional cyclists, how are they doing? From the 2023 crop, three males have found places on World Tour development teams and Izzy Sharp, who was a guest rider for the team, signed for a Women\u2019s World Tour team.<\/span><\/p>

Izzy Sharp<\/h3>

Last season not only did Izzy Sharp win the junior edition of Gent-Wevelgem in Tofauti colours and finish second in the individual time trial at the World Championships, but she was also snapped up by Team Lidl-Trek.<\/span><\/p>

Oli Peace<\/h3>

Oli Peace signed for Development Team dsm-firmenich PostNL at the start of the year. He was switched up to their World Tour Team for the Tour of the Alps where he finished 86th<\/sup> overall.<\/p>

Tomos Pattinson<\/h3>

Tomos Pattinson now rides on the Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development squad. He was 35th<\/sup> at the under-23 Liege-Bastogne-Liege in April and recently finished 38th<\/sup> at the Rund um K\u00f6ln riding for their World Tour Team.<\/p>

Liam O\u2019Brien<\/h3>

Ireland\u2019s Liam O\u2019Brien has signed for Lidl-Trek Future Racing. His programme in 2024 has seen him win the youth classification at the Fleche du Sud, finish 61st<\/sup> at the Tour of the Alps and finish third overall in Ireland\u2019s Ras Tailteann.<\/p>

Similar British teams<\/strong><\/h3>

Tofauti-Everyone Active isn\u2019t the only top-level junior team currently operating in the UK. They are friendly rivals on the road, but are effectively competing for the same youth talent.<\/p>

Fensham Howes \u2013 MAS Design RT is an all-male set-up run by Tom Pidcock\u2019s father Giles. Originally a women\u2019s team., Shibden Apex Racing Team has expanded to include men. It was established by Tim Ferguson, father of Cat Ferguson.<\/p>

Ian says he has a good working relationship with his rivals, including sending joint teams to races including the junior edition of Paris-Roubaix where they teamed up with Fensham Howes outfit.<\/p>

Not that the UCI make it particularly straightforward. Their rules dictate that where a team is mixed they can\u2019t ride in their normal racing strip so they have to create a special one-off that requires UCI approval. The design incorporates the colours of both teams with each getting their \u2018own sleeve\u2019.<\/p>

The future<\/strong><\/h2>

Pragmatic approach<\/h3>

If the team is enjoying success now, what does the future hold and are there any issues on the horizon? Ian doesn\u2019t have an ambitious grand plan. He\u2019s realistic that the team\u2019s budget and reliance upon volunteers tempers unrealistic ambitions.<\/p>

\"Cycling<\/u><\/a><\/p>

Building a sustainable and long-lasting model for the team is of critical importance. Outsiders might assume that it\u2019s easy to set up a team and in some ways it is. The hard graft is keeping it going and ensuring it has solid foundations. New teams pop up and then disappear again every year.<\/p>

His aim is a more pragmatic \u201cmoving it on each year.\u201d For example, by gaining entry to more top events in Europe and potentially including non-British or Irish riders.<\/p>

Potential issues<\/h3>

In the longer term, Ian is worried like many about the health of the grassroots of the sport and the declining number of races on the road. He worries that the UK will end up like America and become experts solely at criterium racing.<\/p>

He\u2019s concerned too that whilst Great Britain now boasts six UCI Continental Women\u2019s Teams the depth of female talent within the UK is still limited and doesn\u2019t appear to be expanding.<\/p>

\"Read<\/a><\/p>

Our thanks to Ian for his time. We wish him and his team every success for the future.<\/p>

4 June 2024, Tim Costello<\/em>
<\/strong><\/p>

\"Rijden<\/strong><\/p>

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