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As outlined in the review document, available below, Full Competition membership has seen its first increase in four years, up 18% from 2024.This is a very welcome development, but further challenges remain.
This increase in numbers has seen 1692 C3 licence holders, 372 C2 riders, and 195 C1 riders. The changes to licencing and upgrades have already seen over 30 junior riders climbing the categories, with the long-term plan being that the C1 category grows to 250 riders with these upgrades.
Race entry numbers have seen a steady increase, for the most part avoiding combining multiple categories. The newly designated National Grade events have seen particular growth compared to their 2024 entries.
In terms of Regional Events, as is evidenced in the document, some events held on weekends with multiple conflicting events have suffered in terms of entries. It is becoming apparent through rider feedback that many riders struggle to attend two races on the one weekend. The Working Group have taken this on board and are looking at ways to remedy through engaging with organisers and calendar co-ordinators this issue moving forward this season and into 2026.
The increase in numbers and standard in the C3 category has been overall a welcome change, but has also hammered home the importance of league and club racing as the entry point for riders starting out in racing.
While the numbers for women’s racing have held strong with 2024 numbers, the plan remains to grow women’s participation in racing, and the group will engage further with the Women’s Commission to this end.
The Working Group is also recommending further engagement with Masters riders, and a potential Masters only mini-series for five or six events in the run up to National Championships.