Selection and Deselection Policy for Cycling

 

Selection Policy Purpose 

This document outlines the selection and deselection process, along with the criteria and timeline, for the Loughborough Cycling Academy. All selection decisions will be made in line with this policy to ensure fairness, transparency, and equity. 

The Aims and Objectives of the Loughborough Cycling Academy: 

Loughborough Cycling Academy’s vision is to provide student-athletes with the best development centre to realise their potential in cycling and education. The Loughborough Cycling Academy provides a unique environment for student-athletes, with the ambition and potential, to be successful on the national and international stage and to realise their full academic potential. In line with this ambition, we provide athletes with a comprehensive coaching and performance support team and assist in seeking opportunities to help riders into BC Elite Development Teams, UCI teams, and NGB Programmes. 

Eligibility Criteria 

  • Applicants can be of any age, gender, nationality and compete in any Endurance and Track Sprint disciplines. 
  • Must have proven success at regional level and race, or have the intention to race competitively at a national or international level within their chosen discipline. 
  • Applicants must be registered at Loughborough University, or on an accredited course at Loughborough College for the current academic year. Lightning EDT Women’s Road Team is open to non-students. 
  • If successfully selected, riders are required to buy Loughborough Students Cycling Club membership, the Athletic Union membership fee and the Loughborough Cycling Academy fee (Endurance: £375; Sprint: £187.50).  
  • Applicants, if successfully selected, must agree to and sign the Loughborough University Performance Athlete Agreement, which governs your engagement in the cycling programme for the current season.  

Applicants Awareness 

  • As an applicant, I understand that for selection to the Loughborough Cycling Academy I will need to demonstrate that I have the appropriate and necessary skills and commitment, and importantly that my performance, fitness and lifestyle are at the required level.  I understand that selection involves complex judgements involvement multiple aspects about the attributes of individuals and their potential contribution to a team or squad.  
  • All selections are subject to the availability of places on the Loughborough Cycling Academy for the current academic year. Where necessary selection decisions will be made at the discretion of the cycling programme manager and coaching team (Dr David Nichols & Max Holgate).  
  • Those that have been on the Loughborough Cycling Academy in previous years need to re-apply in the same application process and should not automatically expect to have a confirmed place on the Loughborough Cycling Academy. The dynamic nature of Loughborough cycling requires us to balance this each academic year to meet the aims of the programme.  
  • Due to the dynamic nature of elite cycling teams, Loughborough Lightning follows a separate selection process. You should apply through the same Loughborough Cycling Academy selection form and tick the box indicating you wish to race for Loughborough Lightning. The team manager reserves the right to make offers prior to the Loughborough Cycling Academy selection trials. 
  • The cycling programme manager reserves the right to allocate places on the program to athletes that fall outside the criteria detailed below. This may include, but is not limited to, athletes that have potential future success in international cycling/ BUCS, contribute to the overall goals of the programme and/or demonstrate the qualities required to be a positive member of the Loughborough University cycling programme and clubs. 

Selection Objectives 

During the selection process riders must demonstrate the following skills, attitudes, ability and behaviours. See the below values, fundament to the Loughborough Cycling Academy application. 

Skills Required 

  • Be technically proficient and be capable of riding safely in a bunch (road and track).  
  • Be proficient and comfortable riding at speed within a team (team time trial, team pursuit, team sprint).  
  • Attend and engage fully with team skill-based training sessions (Leicester Cycle Circuit, Derby Velodrome, on road training)  
  • Ability to read a race and make good tactical decisions under pressure.  

Commitment 

  • Demonstrate good levels of organisation and timeliness during the selection process. (e.g. meeting application deadlines and session start times) 
  • Engage fully with staff during selection trials (e.g. during the in-person trials day and over email were applicable)  

Attitude, behaviours, culture 

Positive Attitudes  

  • Display and demonstrate a positive attitude.   
  • Challenging yourself to operate outside your comfort zone and be willing to take risks.  
  • Understanding that being part of the Programme is a privilege and not a right and understand that the team is bigger than the individual. 
  • Fully support and contribute to the positive ethos and image of the Loughborough Students Cycling Club (LSCC) and Cycling Programme at Loughborough University.  
  • Demonstrate that you can represent Loughborough with pride when racing and training 
  • Show humility and respect to all.  

Performance

  • Places on Loughborough Cycling Academy are awarded based on an evidenced/ demonstrated, or potential ability, at a national and / or international level 
  • Demonstrate willingness and ability to perform and contribute to the programme goals.   

Lifestyle 

  • Exhibit behaviours and lifestyle choices that are compatible with high performance sport.  
  • Ensures readiness to train and compete to be their best when it matters 
  • Prioritises rest and recovery to be in the best physical and mental condition for selections and trials.   
  • Demonstrates an attempt to find a balance between sport and other aspects of their life e.g. study, work, relationships, family.

Selection Process 

The Loughborough Cycling Academy Selection Process for the current academic year is detailed below.  

The selection process is composed of two stages. Stage 1 consists of an online application. Stage 2 is the in-person trial at Leicester Cycle Circuit.

All riders, regardless of previous involvement with the Loughborough Cycling Academy are required to undergo the same application process. 

2026/27 Application Timeline 

  • Monday 7th July – Stage 1: Online Application Opens 
  • Monday 21st September – LCA/ Lightning Application Close 
  • Tuesday 22nd September – Selection (Selection or Deselection) announcement for the second phase of the Selection Process, the in-person trials session at Leicester Cycle Circuit.  
  • Saturday 26th September – LSCC Sports Bazaar for information and Questions. The Assistant DS & Operation Placement student will be in attendance. 
  • Monday 28th September (TBC) – LSCC Information evening. A section of this presentation will include both Cycling Programme Manager (Dr David Nichols) and Cycling Endurance Coach (Max Holgate) presenting on the Loughborough Cycling Academy structure and introducing BUCS Cycling. 
  • Wednesday 30th September (TBC) – Stage 2: In-person trials session at Leicester Cycle Circuit 
  • Friday 2nd October – Final Selection decisions made and communicated via email (Selection or Deselection) 
  • Thursday 8th October – Loughborough Cycling Academy Launch for selected riders 

Stage 1: Online applications 

  • The online application form is required to be completed before Monday 21st September Midnight.  
  • The link for the online application form can be found in the Instagram bios of the @lborocyclingadacemy or @Lightning_cycling pages. 
  • Any applications that are submitted after the deadline of Monday 21st September 2026 midnight will not be accepted and your application will not be carried forward. 
  • Please answer all questions and provide accurate information. All sections are of equal importance. 
  • Sections included in the application are as follows:
    • Personal information
    • Goals and Motivations
    • Training & Power Data
    • Racing
    • Any other information
  • Upon completion of the application please ‘Submit’. No additional information or documentation is required to support this application.
  • The selection panel will assess applications on Tuesday 22nd September. The selection panel will be composed of cycling programme management and coaching team.
  • Shortlisting will be carefully considered and discussed, considering all aspects of the application form in alignment with the selection objectives.  
  • Shortlisting communication will be made on Tuesday 22nd September via email, where applicants will be notified of the decision either way.  
  • Successful applicants will go through to Stage 2 of the selection process. Information, logistics, and content of the session will be attached to this email.  
  • Applicants who are not selected for Stage 2, will have their applications forwarded to the LSCC Development Pathway Captains for consideration. 

Stage 2: In-person Trials at Leicester Cycle Circuit 

  • In-person trials will take place on at the start of term 1 (Date TBC) Leicester Cycle Circuit. 
  • The purpose of this session is to observe applicants ride in person and to support in the final decisions regarding Loughborough Cycling Academy selections. This session will cover the technical, tactical and physical aspects of riding. Riding ability will be assess using the content below. 
  • Trials will include the following sections:
    • Section 1: Bunch Skills
    • Section 2: Individual Time Trial
    • Section 3: Race Simulation 

Physical 

Section  

Riders who have the necessary physiological ability to compete and race 

1,2,3 

Riders who have the physical ability to contribute and dictate racing outcomes 

3 

Time recorded during the TT effort 

2 

Result in the race simulation 

3 

 

Technical 

Technically proficient, have good control of the bike both by yourself and within a group at both fast and slow speeds 

1,2,3 

Demonstrate your technical skills including riding near other riders while cornering, braking, shifting, accelerating 

1,2,3 

Fast cornering technique and riding against the clock 

 

2 

Tactical 

A demonstration of good tactical knowledge and effective decision-making during racing 

3 

Pacing of a TT effort 

2 

Riders that can create opportunity and excitement during a race with an outcome focused intention 

3 

 

Attitude and Involvement 

Good communication both on and off bike 

1,2,3 

Attitude and involvement throughout the session 

1,2,3 

Determination and attitude 

1,2,3 

 
  • Safety considerations: An applicant may be asked to sit out of any portion of the trial if deemed unsafe ride in a group. This is to uphold the safety of the group while riding at speed in close proximity to other riders in race conditions. 

FAQs

Q: The trials fall during my off-season, what should I do?  

A: We are fully aware as to the time of year in which these trials take place. These selections may fall around applicants off season due to the academic year dates. You should attend these trials with full intent and commitment, but we appreciate you may not be in peak fitness. 

Q: I am currently in preparation/ racing in cyclocross or other disciplines, what should I do? 

A: It is advised that you plan trials into your training plan. If you are unable to do so or for international competition, please contact Dr David Nichols on d.nichols@lboro.ac.uk. Selection decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

Q: I’m ill/ injured, should I attend the trials? 

A: The start of the university year brings a high risk of infection and illness. If you are unable to attend trials due to illness/ injury, please contact Dr David Nichols on d.nichols@lboro.ac.uk. Selection decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.​ 

Final Selection Decisions 

  • The final meeting regarding the decision for Loughborough Cycling Academy selections will be held within 1 week of the selection trials by cycling programme manager and coaching team. There will be email correspondence thereafter to applicants both selected and deselected. 
  • Applicants who are not selected for the Loughborough Cycling Academy will be forwarded to the LSCC Development Captains. 

Application Feedback 

If you would like feedback, you should contact Dr David Nichols (d.nichols@lboro.ac.uk) and provide your own reflections on why you believe you have not been selected. You can then expect to receive honest and constructive feedback alongside what would be needed for you to be considered for future selection.  

If an athlete is not happy with the selection decisions these steps may be taken: 

A. Non-selection

  1. If an athlete is not selected, they may seek honest and constructive feedback from the Head Coach in the first instance.
  2. If the athlete believes the sport has not followed due process, they may refer their non-selection to the Performance Manager (Alasdair Donaldson m.donaldson@lboro.ac.uk).
  3. Information will be gathered from the Head Coach and the athlete. The matter will then be reviewed by members of the Performance Leadership Team who are not directly involved in that performance programme.

 B. Deselection from the squad

  1. The Head Coach will inform the athlete of the reasons for deselection, based on the criteria set out for the relevant sport.
  2. The athlete can expect honest and constructive feedback, including what would be required for them to be considered for selection again.
  3. If the athlete believes the sport has not followed due process, they may refer their deselection to the Performance Manage (Alasdair Donaldson m.donaldson@lboro.ac.uk).
  4. Information will be gathered from the Head Coach and the athlete. The matter will then be reviewed by members of the Performance Leadership Team who are not directly involved in that performance programme.

C. Appeal

  1. If an athlete believes the selection or deselection process has not been followed correctly, they may appeal to the Performance Director.
  2. Information will be gathered from the Head Coach and the athlete. The appeal will be reviewed by the Performance Director and the Director of Sport.