Long-time British women team Lifeplus Wahoo disbanded after all their bikes had been stolen two months ago

The latest blow to the struggling British racing scene comes just two months after Lifeplus Wahoo were hit by a shocking overnight raid at the Tour of Britain, when thieves targeted their base at a hotel in Shropshire, raiding their mechanic’s van and stealing all 14 of the squad’s bikes.

The consequences of that bike theft – described at the time as "an absolute hammer blow to our over-achieving team already on a stretched budget" – along with the rising costs of running and maintaining a team, and a loss of sponsorship income due to the failure to secure an invite to this year’s Tour de France, are to be blamed for the squad’s sudden demise.

The team which was an important part of the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France Femmes editions controversially wasn't invited to this year’s Tour. This has led to the loss of sponsor bonuses, while the British squad was also unable to attract a title partner that would push up the tight budget allowing the British formation to compete from next year at women’s cycling’s new second-tier ProTeam level.

"We are very sad to announce that Drops Cycling – currently racing as Lifeplus Wahoo – Britain’s most successful and longest running UCI women’s team, will close at the end of the year," the co-founders announced in a statement earlier this week.

"Despite securing a full stable of premium product partners for 2025, we have been unable to sell the naming rights for a figure commensurate with the budget required for a UCI Pro Team Licence application."

"Our aim has always been to progress to Pro Team level and ultimately become a World Tour team. With uncertainty surrounding the viability of the project at Continental level, we no longer have the appetite to struggle to deliver our professional vision on a minimum budget at this largely unregulated level."

"With the ever-rising cost of racing, loss of sponsor bonus income without TDFF participation, the recent bike thefts, and an ongoing partnership dispute due to unpaid instalments we have sadly raced our last race."

"We thank our global fan base for their loyal support over the past nine years and send the international peloton our best wishes for the future."