Harrison Wood looks forwards to joining up with Oliver Knight in Cofidis: "Like a boy band gone wrong"

Annual Rayner Foundation Dinner takes place in Leeds, as vital funds are raised for the next generation of British cyclists. The Rayner Foundation has been one of the few projects on the British Isles that has survived to this day and has become a key step for most of the young cyclists from the country who wish to make a name for themselves racing in Europe.

"Like a boy band gone wrong," is how Harrison Wood describes Cofidis in front, as fellow Rayner-funded rider Oliver Knight prepares to become the second Brit on the French WorldTeam in 2024. Wood's words are said in jest, of course, and immediately draw laughter from the Leeds crowd, that includes GCN reporters, who have gathered at the annual Rayner Foundation Dinner.

As the night’s entertainment is drawing to a close, Wood’s comments raise a cackle of laughter from the room and sum up an evening well spent amongst friends both old and new. All that is left is for Joscelin Ryan of the Rayner Foundation to announce the recipient of the Lewis Barry Award for Rider of the Year, which has a star-studded list of past winners including Jake Stewart, Adam Yates and James Shaw.

Following a year in which his sensational form for AVC Aix-en-Provence has led to a two-year contract with Cofidis, Knight is deservedly crowned the latest winner of this award and sports a proud grin as he quickly thanks his family, friends and the Rayner Foundation for their support in his journey to the WorldTour.