One Pro Cycling have announced they will not be running a women’s team for the 2019 season due to a "lack of sponsorship."
The team revealed last month that their men’s continental level outfit would be disbanded and a new women’s squad set up for 2019.
One Pro had said they believed the greatest opportunity “lies within the women’s side” of the sport.
But the British squad announced on Monday morning that plans for a women’s team riding in the 2019 season had been scrapped after they could not raise enough money.
A statement posted on the One Pro Cycling website 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.”
One Pro added that they will continue discussions through 2019 with the intention of starting the women’s team in 2020.
In early September, One Pro announced that it will not run a men’s team in 2019, but would focus on a women’s team to compete at UCI Women’s World Tour races.
The team was founded by ex-cricketer Matt Prior in 2015 with the intention of joining the WorldTour.
>>>JLT-Condor latest team to announce closure
But after registering as a professional continental outfit in 2016, the team returned to the third division continental ranks the following year.
Prior told The Telegraph that to be competitive at WorldTour level you would need £15million, but to challenge in Women’s WorldTour races you need a lower budget of £1.5million.
The closure of One Pro came soon after the collapse of Aqua Blue Sport.
British continental team JLT-Condor then announced their closure shortly after.
One Pro added: “ [We] 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.”
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
The general classification just got even tighter: Five talking points from stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia 2022
There was climbing, climbing, and more climbing on Tuesday
-
Wider S-Works Torch replaces popular Specialized shoes - and our tech writers had very different first impressions
Wider, lighter, more comfortable and better looking - here's the story behind the development of the S-Works Torch plus our first ride impressions
-
British racing scene branded ‘worst it has ever been’ as teams close
The recent spate of domestic team closures is leading some in the scene to brand it the “worst it has ever been”.
-
How you can buy a One Pro Cycling Aston Martin bike as men’s team closes
The British One Pro cycling team are selling off their bikes as the men’s team will cease to ride at the end of this season.
-
One Pro Cycling team apologises over CiCLE Classic finish-line controversy
Dan Fleeman wins Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic for local team Metaltek-Kuota
-
Tom Stewart moves up to Pro Continental level with One Pro Cycling
The Yorkshireman was the strongest rider in the domestic scene in 2016 and he has been awarded with a move to One Pro Cycling
-
Marcin Bialoblocki smashes Alex Dowsett's 10-mile time trial record with 16-35
New men's and women's national 10-mile time trial competition records sets in 'perfect conditions' in Yorkshire on Saturday
-
Back-to-back stage wins for One Pro Cycling at the Tour of Korea
Chris Opie and Karol Domagalski win stages two and three of the Tour of Korea for One Pro Cycling, with JLT Condor also putting in good performances
-
Giacomo Nizzolo beats Mark Cavendish to win Tour of Croatia stage one
Italian Giacomo Nizzolo gets better of Mark Cavendish in opening sprint stage of 2016 Tour of Croatia
-
One Pro Cycling dominate first round of Tour Series
The new British squad came away from the seaside town with two victories after a commanding display at the opening round of the Tour Series
