The Black Cyclist Network (open in new tab) (BCN) is stepping up its efforts as a race team, with a series of races scheduled for 2021 and a spring training camp in Malaga, Spain.

BCN was formed in 2018 by Mani Arthur as a way to welcome riders from black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds into cycling, regardless of their riding level. In just under two years, the network has grown to over 100 members in London, and the program includes a nine-rider race team and a development team.

The network's 2021 race plan has been coming together in recent weeks, and despite some uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic and regional restrictions in the UK, Arthur has a race calendar for the riders.

"It's a bit uncertain at the moment, but we already have a full race schedule for 2021.

"We are aiming to start the season with a training camp for the BCN Racing Team in Malaga in mid-March. My goal is to focus on the National Criterium B race and the Tour Series support races, and I want to run as many crits as possible during the season. He is already looking at events around London, as well as events in Sheffield and Newcastle later in the year.

"BCN was created to create a welcoming space for all ethnic minorities; we have members who have been riding for 10 years but never thought of joining a bike club before."

"We have a lot of members who have been riding for 10 years but never thought of joining a bike club.

"Next year is an important year for the development of BCN. We are keen to establish more clubs across the UK and are also keen on the racing team's goal of reaching the UCI Continental level in the future."

"The BCN has been working with the UCI for many years now and has been very successful.

BCN is currently working with a number of partners, including CAMS, which will help transport the team next year through the loan of vehicles; CAMS is also the title sponsor of the women's CAMS-Tifosi Continental team. According to Arthur, the improved transportation will give the athletes more opportunities to race throughout the UK.

"The cars and vans provided by our new sponsor, CAMS, will allow us to really go the distance.

"Having CAMS sponsor the car and van will make it easier for those of us who are pushing hard to race at the professional level to get to events and races. The vehicle will be an integral part of another 2021 project to spread the message about BCN and establish new chapters around the UK"

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"We would like to organize a team get-together ride the day after the race event so that we can meet new people and get chapters up and running all over the UK. Having a big support van makes it so much easier for us as a team to do both races and social rides"

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In addition to increasing race options, Arthur is also keen to ensure that the level of coaching within the network is improved.

"My priority now is to upskill the ride captains to British Cycling's coaching level.

"Throughout 2021, we will be producing and publishing behind-the-scenes videos on our YouTube channel. We have a lot of global support and this is a great way to let people know what we are doing and how BCN is growing and improving."

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