Charlie Tanfield has thanked Brother NRG Pro Cycling for their help and support after announcing his switch to Canyon Eisberg.
The 21-year-old, from Great Ayton in North Yorkshire, spent two seasons with the team now known as Ribble Pro Cycling.
His switch to Tim Elverson’s UCI Continental set-up, where he will join his brother Harry, has now been confirmed, following a series of appearances as a stagiare since August 1.
Tanfield is excited about the move but insists it would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of his former team. He said:
“Brother NRG have played a huge part in my progress over the past two years. They have believed in my ability and given me the chance to ride races how I like. I’m so grateful I’ve been able to race with the team.
“With the support from the manager to the help from people who give up their time to allow the team to function, without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I love.
“So I owe a big thanks to them for everything they have helped me with and the support they have given me – not to forget the massive support from the sponsors.
“They have also played a critical role in allowing us to race. The guys at Brother this year have been super, they have saved me so many times with their neutral service support!
“I’ve made some great friends and I’m really grateful for everything the team has given me over the past two years.”
Tanfield’s brother Harry has already spent two years with sports director Elverson, first at Pedal Heaven before following him to BIKE Channel Canyon.
A British team pursuit champion on the track with Brother NRG this year, he has been given plenty of insight into what to expect next season.
And he is relishing the opportunity to race alongside his older brother for the first time, too. Tanfield added:
“Joining Canyon Eisberg is going to be a huge opportunity for me to progress as a cyclist.
“The set-up suits me well and with regular trips to Belgium and Holland for high-standard UCI races, it is going to be a huge learning experience.
“I’m super motivated to take the chance and try to get some UCI points while doing my part for the team, too.
“It will be the first time I have raced with my brother, Harry. We work well together, so it will be an interesting dynamic.
“I’m just excited to get stuck in next year and to see what I can do with the team.”
Tanfield finished third in the national under-23 time trial championship on the Isle of Man in June and is currently riding on the track for Team KGF.
He became the second fastest Brit ever in an individual pursuit when he clocked 4min 14.994sec in Glasgow in October.
That eclipsed the best efforts of Sir Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish over the 4,000m distance, only falling short of Chris Boardman’s record (4.11.114).
A former British champion on the track at youth level, Tanfield became a multiple BUCS champion in the velodrome in November.
His National A appearances last season included a superb 12th spot in the Chorley Grand Prix and an impressive spell up the road in the East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix.
