‘Massive’ step forward in Culverwell’s career

Culverwell’s name has remained a constant in the Trinity Racing roster for 2021, and several new teammates will join him for the ride, but the biggest development comes with the outfit’s progression to UCI Continental status.

And so the 20-year-old can now, like past Madison Genesis rider Tobyn Horton before him, proudly consider himself a true professional.

‘Before, I was just elite, full-time – it’s quite good to be able to call yourself a professional cyclist,’ he said after assessing his promising options for the 2021 season.

‘Going up to Continental level is massive.

‘I will be able to get into UCI-level races – and our provisional calendar looks really exciting.’

Culverwell retains his right to race at U23 elite level, a clear positive given that Covid restrictions robbed him of his opportunities this year and meant he represented the team only once.

And the youngster, whose run of bad luck this season culminated in collarbone injury, also has the extra-prestigious Tour of Britain in his distance vision.

Culverwell praised Horton as a mentor who’s ‘been there, done that’.

‘It’s really exciting to follow in his footsteps, especially as Tobyn has been so helpful in terms of giving advice and last September coming out to Belgium,’ Culverwell added as he joins one of Britain’s expected five Continental teams racing in 2021.

‘Our pathways to get there might have been really different, but for now, I am in the same place, which is really neat.’

Gary Wallbridge, Culverwell’s stepfather and a former Velo Club president, finds the current-generation great in a rather advanced position.

While Horton headed to Belgium aged 18 and took over two years to win his first race, Culverwell needed just over a week to top a ‘kermesse’ podium before turning 19.

‘Tobyn’s done really well and we are hoping Sam will be able to go way beyond that – that’s the target,’ Wallbridge said.