Lizzie Deignan, Alex Dowsett and Tom Pidcock headline British squad for European Championships 

The Great Britain Cycling Team return to racing after the coronavirus lay-off 

Lizzie Deignan at the Yorkshire Worlds 2019 (Pauline Ballet - Pool/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The British squad for the road European Championships has been confirmed, with Lizzie Deignan, Alex Dowsett and Tom Pidcock leading the charge. 

Taking place in Plouay, France from August 24-28, the UEC Road European Championships will be the first competition for the Great Britain Cycling Team after the coronavirus lay-off. 

With huge talent lining up in the both the women’s and men’s races, British riders look to be in with a strong chance of taking home medals. 

In the women’s road race, former world champion Deignan will be leading the team with support from Alice and Hannah Barnes, with Lizzy Banks completing the four-rider squad. 

For the men’s road race, younger riders will be carrying the British hopes with Tom Pidcock, Gabz Cullaigh and Ethan Hayter lining up. 

The rest of the men’s team on the road will be Alex Dowsett, Matt Holmes, Scott Thwaites, Matt Walls and Fred Wright. 

In the European time trials, Lizzy Banks and Hayley Simmonds will race against the clock in the women’s race while Alex Dowsett will be the only British rider in the elite men’s category. 

Pidcock will then also be racin the under-23 time trial alongside Ethan Vernon. 

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said: ““With the road race calendar still understandably uncertain, the European Road Championships are now a key feature for the Great Britain Cycling Team’s road squad and as such we are sending a strong team with real medal chances in each category and discipline.”

The 2020 World Championships, initially scheduled for Switzerland in late September, have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, as the UCI have said they will try to find an alternative venue for this year’s Worlds. 

Despite the uncertainty, the British team are keen to use the Euros as a preparation race for the World Championships.

>>> Team Ineos announce squad for Tour de France 2020, with no Chris Froome or Geraint Thomas

Park said: “As a team, we are remaining optimistic about the road worlds taking place in some form, and the European Championships will serve as good preparations for that as well as providing a great racing opportunity in its own right. I know the team we are taking are keen to do the jersey proud, and I know the road team will be ready for whatever happens in the coming weeks.” 

Great Britain Cycling Team for the European Championships 2020

Elite Women’s Road Race

Lizzy Banks

Alice Barnes

Hannah Barnes

Lizzie Deignan

Elite Women’s Time Trial

Lizzy Banks

Hayley Simmonds

 Elite Men’s Road Race

Gabz Cullaigh

Alex Dowsett

Ethan Hayter

Matt Holmes

Tom Pidcock

Scott Thwaites

Matt Walls

Fred Wright

Elite Men’s Time Trial

Alex Dowsett

Under 23 Women’s Road Race

Anna Docherty

Jess Roberts

Anna Shackley

Amelia Sharpe

Under 23 Women’s Time Trial

Anna Docherty

Jess Roberts

Under 23 Men’s Road Race

Rhys Britton

Alfie George

Max Rushby

Ethan Vernon

Sam Watson

Xeno Young

Under 23 Men’s Time Trial

Tom Pidcock

Ethan Vernon

Thank you for reading 20 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

Alex Ballinger

Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.