Over the past years, Watersley R+D Cycling Team has developed into an environment where talent development is central. Our ambition has always been to provide riders with a professional, safe and high-quality development environment in which they can develop both athletically and personally.
Earlier this year, we announced our ambition to further expand our program in 2027 with a Development Women Team (U23 women’s team). At present, Watersley offers development programs for both U19 men and U19 women. After an intensive evaluation and careful consideration, we have decided to adjust our plans for 2027.
A clear focus for 2027
Specifically, this means that:
- the planned Development Women Team will not start in 2027;
- the current U19 men’s team will be discontinued after the 2026 season;
- the current U19 women’s team will continue in 2027 and will be further developed.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly.
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When we organise a team, we want to do so according to the standards that Watersley stands for: professional guidance, an integrated development approach, sufficient staff, strong support and an environment in which every rider receives the attention he or she deserves.
To organise our programs at the quality level we aim for, we asked ourselves one central question: how can we use our available resources in a way that remains true to the Watersley vision?
The answer to that question was clear. We have chosen to focus our resources entirely on further strengthening and expanding our U19 women’s program.
Our Development Women Team ambition remains
This decision does not mean that we are abandoning our ambition to establish a Development Women Team. We continue to believe in the added value of an additional development step between junior cycling and the professional level. At this moment, however, we are unable to provide the conditions required to organise this program at the level we aspire to. As soon as that opportunity arises, we will reassess whether we can take this step.
Earlier this year we communicated different expectations, and we realize that now. We regret having had to reach a different conclusion.
Continuing to build for the future
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our teams over the past years and for the trust that has been placed in us. That trust means a great deal to us, and we will carry it with us into the next step: continuing to build together an environment in which talent can develop and dreams in cycling can become reality.
For clarification: this message relates exclusively to the Watersley R+D Cycling Teams. The changes mentioned do not apply to Watersley R+D Paracycling, Watersley R+D Triathlon or Watersley R+D Offroad. Within these programs, we will continue working on further development and our ambitions for the future.
