BIKE Channel & Canyon partner to launch new British UCI Cycling Team with Chris Opie and sports director Tim Elverson
![]() |
BIKE Channel & Canyon partner to launch new Cycling Team
PRESS RELEASE
LONDON and KOBLENZ, 01.12.2016 —The opportunity for BIKE Channel & Canyon to connect with riders everywhere is invaluable. Creating exciting new ways for people to get up-close to the brands is a unique challenge. This is why BIKE Channel & Canyon are excited to announce a partnership on BIKE Channel Canyon, a brand-new professional UK-based cycling team, which will compete at UCI Continental level.
BIKE Channel Canyon will be based in the UK and led by Sports Director Tim Elverson – who previously held the same role at Pedal Heaven – with Chris Opie, overall winner of the 2016 Ronde van Midden-Nederland, joining as the team’s lead rider from ONE Pro Cycling. In addition to Opie, the BIKE Channel Canyon team will feature a dynamic stable of young British talent that will include Dexter Gardias, Jack Pullar, Rory Townsend, Rob Partridge, George Atkins, James Lowsley-Williams, Sam Lowe, Harry Tanfield, Alex Richardson, u23’s Max Stedman, Joe Fry, Jake Womersley, Mitch Webber and Matt Nowell which gives the team an average age of 24.
Canyon will supply the riders with their flagship models, offering a choice of the Aeroad CF SLX and Ultimate CF SLX for road events and Speedmax CF SLX for time trials. With Campagnolo on-board as component supplier, all bikes will come complete with Record groupsets and Bora wheels. In addition, the team will also count Bikesoup, the online magazine and cyclopedia and Brother UK Ltd. as team sponsors with Salice, Sidi, High5, Astute and Arundel as additional product sponsors of the team.
BIKE Channel Canyon will bring fans an unparalleled look at the world of pro-cycling, promoting the very essence of what it means to be a dedicated professional cyclist. BIKE Channel viewers can look forward to documentaries, profiles and behind-the-scenes access, which will explore the lives of the riders in a unique and personal way. In addition to this, BIKE Channel will organise rides and events to give fans the opportunity to get closer to the action, and make them feel a part of the team.
Filippo Ubaldini, Founder & CEO of BIKE Channel, said: “The BIKE Channel Canyon team represents a new model of cycling team, one which brings fans even closer to the action and shows them what it means to be a professional cyclist. BIKE Channel’s viewers and fans will be able to take part in events and rides with the team, and get to know the personality of every rider as never experienced before.â€
Nick Allen, Canyon UK Market Manager, said: “We are extremely excited to be co-title sponsor of the new British cycling team BIKE Channel Canyon. Canyon’s long-term investment in this new UCI Continental team with is yet another way for us to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the professional sport of cycling and its growth within the United Kingdom and Ireland. We are confident that this will be a successful initiative, one which will serve to boost the British professional road cycling circuit and excite and inspire cycling fans around the country alongside offering potential customers the opportunity to see Canyon road bikes in action and even test the bikes at selected team events and races.â€
Tim Elverson, BIKE Channel Canyon team manager said: “This is an exciting long term project to be involved in that will allow me to develop and progress the squad across the coming seasons. The vibe and energy coming from the team already is great and we just can’t wait to go racingâ€
Chris Opie, BIKE Channel Canyon lead rider, said: “I’m really excited for 2017 with BIKE Channel Canyon, it is a fantastic opportunity and challenge for me. A team tied to a broadcaster gives us the opportunity to connect with our fans in ways which haven’t been explored before. I am looking forward to working with an enthusiastic, motivated and professional team who know how to race well and enjoy our sport at the same time.â€
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- CX RESULT: Shimano Lazer WMCCL Round 1 (Stratford CC)
- Result: Jef Schils Circuit races
- Report: Tour of Britain Stage 6
- Result: Team Tor 2000 Stage Races
- Result: Maria Thompson Memorial Road Race
- TT Result: National Youth (GHS) Championship
- TT Result: Velopreda – Georgetown Cup
- Result: Ivy Road Race
- Result: Susies Circuits (Sept 6)
- Report: Men’s Tour of Britain Stage 5
- Result: Melton Olympic Summer Crit Series 3
- Feature: How Smart Training Changes Everything
- New Team for Cyclocross Champion Xan Crees
- Report: Men’s Tour of Britain Stage 4
- Men’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- TT Result: VTTA (East Anglian Group) 10
- TT Result: Rutland Cycling Club 10
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 10
- TT Result: Zurbaran Racing 10
- Tour of Britain Stage 1
- Result: Surrey League Road Races (Aug 31)
- TT Result: North Lancashire TTA 100
- TT Result: The Johnny Rankin Trophy
- TT Result: Kent CA Closed Circuit 10
- HC Result: Billy Lane Hill Climb
- Result: London Academy Grand Prix #2
- Result: Full Gas Autumn Cup Series 1
- Result: Nick Clayton Memorial RR
- Result: Wentworth Woodhouse Grand Prix
- TT Result: RTTC National Open 10 Mile Championship
- TT Result: RTTC National Women’s & Junior 10 Mile Championship
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers Friday Night Cyclo-Cross
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 24
- Result: Cambridge Criterium
- Result: Lothian Flyer Road Race
- Result: PNE Mountbatten Circuit Series #10
- Men’s Tour of Britain Provisional Start List
- Result: On Yer Bike Crit Series #10
- Result: King&Queen of the Bowl Crit Series #16
- Tour of Britain News: GB Team for Race
Other News on VeloUK
- Report: Men’s Tour of Britain Stage 5
- New Team for Cyclocross Champion Xan Crees
- Tour of Britain Stage 1
- Men’s Tour of Britain Provisional Start List
- Tour of Britain News: GB Team for Race
- FEATURE: The Pedal Club Lunch (August)
- Winners! Ribble Outliers Latvian Triple!
- GB FOR JUNIOR TRACK WORLD CHAMPS
- Beaumont Trophy/Curlew Cup 2025
- STAGE ROUTES ANNOUNCED FOR MEN’S TOUR OF BRITAIN
- TOUR OF BRITAIN NEWS – THE TEAMS
- Startlist: RTTC National 25 Mile Championship
- Ribble Cycles CGR – Commute, Gravel, Road range
- Tour of Britain News: 2 Days in Wales
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (July)
- STARTLIST: National Youth Circuit Series (Wyke)
- Men’s Tour of Britain Route Update
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes