The Performance Pathway
Helping the most promising riders become the stars of Olympic cycling.
The Great Britain Cycling Team (GBCT) is the most successful Olympic and Paralympic sports team in British history. Our Performance Pathways support the development journey for the country’s most promising riders all the way to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We offer a range of pathways, but they are all aligned to a single philosophy, which is to develop the best performance cyclists and people that we can. We believe that we have one of the best sporting talent development systems in the world and one that is constantly striving to improve and evolve.
Applications are now closed for the year 2024/25, please check back for 2025/26 applications
Selection
The year 2024-2025 will see the continued evolution of the Olympic Development Squad program where we take riders at the beginning of their career and focus on developing foundational bike-riding skills and off-bike performance knowledge. At the Podium Potential level we prepare riders for what it takes to be one of the top riders in the world with a focus of on- and off-bike development..
The aim of academy selection is to ensure that we are selecting riders with the highest potential to achieve podium success at the World Championships and the Olympic Games in LA 2028, Brisbane 2023 and beyond. All selection decisions will be made in line with the programme membership policy
The diagram below has been provided to explain the decision-making process. Click image to view full size.
In considering applications, all three of the following criteria will be applied:
- Race performances and results in the last three years.
- Testing and camp data that supports riders being on a World Class Programme trajectory and/or meeting the consideration scores or benchmarks.
- Subjective analysis by the existing (if available) and selecting coach against agreed criteria which has been built by the selecting coach and agreed by the discipline lead and the Performance Pathway Manager.
If all criteria are met and applicants have demonstrated clear potential, they will be eligible for GROUP 1 selection. These riders may be offered a place on the Olympic Development or Podium Potential Squad starting in October 2024.
If all criteria are met and applicants have demonstrated some potential, but we believe there are additional performances or development markers that we would like to see, they will be eligible for GROUP 2 selection. These riders may be offered a place on a confirmation programme that will last no more than three months and will be designed to confirm Olympic potential. This is unfunded and would require weekend availability. Specific details will be provided to those selected into GROUP 2.
If one or more of the criteria are not met the unsuccessful candidate will be put in GROUP 3. Unsuccessful applicants are free to apply again at the next intake. This does not stop riders from being selected for race events.
Performance Pathway Squads
All GBCT riders selected to the World Class Programme are given a holistic on- and off-bike education, designed in the knowledge of what is required to achieve podium status. Our programme offers the best opportunity for a future both in cycling as well as out of cycling, ensuring you are fully prepared wherever the journey may take you.
Across the GBCT academy, we focus on intensively developing the country’s best young riders. Refining what has already been learnt, the aim is to support the transition to becoming a senior bike rider and ready to graduate to the Podium Programme.
Olympic Development Squad
The Olympic Development Squad is focused on developing the country’s best junior riders, ensuring that they are ready for life as full-time athletes. This will include opportunities to race at international competitions in preparation for riding in major events at a senior level.
Overview of key elements per discipline:
- Sprint and Endurance Olympic Development Squads: Age 16 – 18, camp based, decentralised
- MTB Cross country Olympic Development Squad: Age 16-18, camp based, decentralised
- BMX Racing Olympic Development Squad: Age 15-18, camp based, decentralised
- BMX freestyle park Olympic Development Squad: Age 14+, camp based, decentralised
The The Podium Potential Squad’s aim is simple: to fine-tune athletes and ensure they are ready to dominate the top-step of world and Olympic race podiums in the future.
Overview of key elements per discipline:
- Sprint Podium Potential Squad: Age 18-22, centralised, full-time
- Endurance Podium Potential Squad: Age 18-22, decentralised, full-time
- MTB Cross country Podium Potential Squad: Age 18-22, decentralised, full-time
- BMX Racing Podium Potential Squad: Age 18-22, centralised, full-time
- BMX Freestyle Park Podium Potential Squad: Age 18+, centralised, full-time
Podium
The pinnacle of the performance pathway, the Olympic Podium Programme is dedicated to supporting highly-skilled elite cyclists as they aim to win medals in major competitions, such as World Championships and Olympic Games.
Apply now
GBCT Olympic Development Squad and Podium Potential Sqaud 2024 Application - Track Sprint
GBCT Olympic Development Squad and Podium Potential Sqaud 2024 Application - BMX Racing
GBCT Olympic Development Squad and Podium Potential Sqaud 2024 Application - Endurance, MTB and BMX Freestyle Park
Applications for the GBCT performance pathway sqauds are open until 30 May 2024 at 5pm.
Performance Pathway Prospectus
Find out more about each individual discipline's programme by taking a look at the prospectus below.
