Culverwell signs for ‘the best UCI Continental team in the UK’

The 22-year-old has now moved on from his Trinity Racing days, but he has instead signed for WiV SunGod ahead of them rebranding to AT85 Pro Cycling next year.

They started in 2017 under the Canyon banner and have become a dominant force among Britain’s handful of Continental outfits, which are below only WorldTeam Ineos Grenadiers on the domestic ladder.

This year SunGod riders claimed multiple UK national titles – Rob Scott in the road series, Matt Bostock in the criterium championship and Jacob Scott in the circuit series. SunGod also won national team titles in the tour series, circuit series and the road series.

‘I’m really happy to sign for AT85 Pro Cycling ahead of next year,’ Culverwell said.

‘It’s a step along from Trinity, and the teams are at a similar level, but this is my best option for next year. I’m really happy with how the calendar looks.’

The Guernsey rider’s main targets are on the wider European stage, where he hopes to achieve top-10 finishes in UCI 1.1 – prestigious single-day – races, but he is also seeking a podium at the British national championships.

He is hopeful that a supportive team will help his case.

‘I am hoping next year I will get some leadership,’ he said.

‘This year they have achieved success with a lot of different riders. It shows that they put faith in all their riders to get results.

‘I am looking forward to them putting their faith in me and hopefully getting some results.’

After weighing up his new outfit against fellow Continental giants Trinity, he said: ‘It’s the best team in the UK.’

In a social media announcement, the official SunGod page praised Culverwell’s terrific 2022 season by highlighting him finishing second overall and winning the polka dot king-of-the-mountains jersey at the Tour of Taiwan after placing ninth – having contended for victory – in the Commonwealth Games road race.

‘We hope to guide him to success,’ they added ahead of an exciting 2023 season.

Culverwell’s stepfather Gary Wallbridge, a former Guernsey Velo Club president, called the team an ‘excellent stepping stone’.

‘They are the number one team in the UK and have been for two to three seasons,’ he said.

‘Tim Elverson, the team owner, has always impressed me and the chats that Sam has had with him, he has said “We will develop you”.’

Elverson has also told the national cycling media that one of his main goals is for the team to achieve Pro Continental level in 2024. That only sweetened the deal for Culverwell, who added: ‘The UK definitely needs a Pro Continental team.’