Exciting year ahead for Saint Piran in 2020

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, Saint Piran has been busy planning ahead for the 2020 season.

The biggest decision has been around the level at which the team will race in 2020. As many will be aware, we seriously considered applying for UCI Continental status, but after much thought have decided that we will remain an Elite team in the coming season. 

There are several reasons for this, not least the significant financial commitment required to compete at the higher level. While we could have stretched ourselves to make the step up now, we feel that it would have compromised one of Saint Piran's main goals, namely to build a team that is financially and organisationally sustainable.

Our goal has always been to create a team based on a sound business model with three pillars: sponsorship, the brand and grassroots support. 

Sponsorship remains a key component, and Saint Piran continues to talk to businesses large and small about the benefits of being associated with Cornwall's first elite cycling team. However, as the recent demise of a number of UK teams has demonstrated, over-reliance on this income source creates a vulnerability to withdrawal of financial backing by the headline sponsor. That's why, alongside sponsorship, we are building on the strength of the Saint Piran name to develop and add to our existing portfolio of branded products, and continue to grow our base of grassroots supporters.  

Assuming that our plans come to fruition over the course of the next year, we will very seriously consider stepping up to Continental status for 2021.     

As for next season, Saint Piran will continue to compete at the same intensity as 2019, when the team was represented at more than 30 races. That will, of course, include the HSBC Road Series, the HSBC National Circuit Series and the Ovo Energy Tour Series, at which the team debuted so successfully back in May.  

In terms of the team roster, Saint Piran has retained a core group of key riders and secured some exciting new signings, including some promising young Cornish talent. We have also added a wise older head or two to the team management and administration resource.  We will be announcing the full 2020 Saint Piran squad in the very near future. Watch this space.