UK Cycle Trials Riders Breaking New Ground: Sarah Tait and Eddie Weightman Set for the Next Level

Some of you will know that alongside his role at Recovery First our Director, David Johnstone, has been fortunate enough to hold several voluntary posts supporting organisations and charities that encourage young people to get outside and be active, ideally with a push bike involved somewhere along the way.

One of those roles is as Chair of the governing body for cycle trials in the UK, Biketrial Federation UK, where he has thoroughly enjoyed serving for several years. Through that role, he also collaborates closely with British Cycling on all things trials.

Supporting the Next Generation of Trials Riders

One of the highlights of the position is working with the youth athletes who make up the British team competing at the UCI Trials World Youth Games each year.

Recovery First, as part of its corporate social responsibility programme, sponsors the team annually. It’s something we’re incredibly proud to support.

These young riders are inspired by Britain’s senior athletes; among them current UCI World Champions and rainbow jersey holders for those in the know. In turn, they inspire the next generation of youth riders coming through behind them, as well as those who simply ride for the joy of it.

For a relatively small discipline, Great Britain punches well above its weight in cycle trials. We have a strong history of decorated riders and a pathway that continues to produce talented young athletes with ambitions to follow in their footsteps.

Competing Internationally as Privateers

Unlike Olympic cycling disciplines, which receive structured support through British Cycling’s GBCT programme, trials riders representing Great Britain internationally largely do so as privateers.

That means they must fund their own campaigns.

Riders often balance training with the time and effort required to raise support in order to attend international competitions. Yet competing internationally is critical for their development and progression within the sport.

It is in that environment that young riders learn to compete against the best in the world.

Two Riders to Watch: Sarah Tait and Eddie Weightman

The 2025 Youth Team included two riders we have known for many years – Sarah Tait and Eddie Weightman. They are the reason for this article.

2025 marked their final year in the Youth categories. Now aged 17 in 2026, they step up to  Junior level for the UEC European Championships and UCI World Championships, while also competing in open Elite categories in UCI C1 events and World Cup competitions.

Their journeys into the sport have been very different.

The Next Step

Eddie has now left school and is fully committed to training and competing at UCI World Cups, World Championships and major C1 events across Europe and the United States.

Sarah, meanwhile, remains in full-time education while working toward a historic milestone – becoming the first British female to compete at both the UEC Trials European Championships and the UCI Trials World Championships later this year.

Both riders are outstanding ambassadors for their sport and would provide fantastic exposure and content for organisations that choose to support them.

Supporting the Journey

As with many athletes in non-Olympic disciplines, international competition comes with significant costs.

Support from organisations or individuals can play a vital role in enabling riders like Sarah and Eddie to compete at the highest level and continue representing Great Britain on the world stage.

Even small contributions can make a real difference.

Anyone interested in supporting them, or simply becoming a small part of their story, would be very welcome to get in touch.

And if nothing else, please help share the opportunity far and wide.