NEWTON Abbot’s own Bayley Woodger is set to take his cycling career to the next level after signing with the prestigious Gepla Watersley R+D Cycling Team U19, based in Sittard, Netherlands.

Bayley, a South Devon College student and former Mid Devon Cycling Club rider, currently competes for Shibden Apex Road Team. His new contract will see him join 12 other riders from around the world in 2026, training and racing at one of Europe’s leading high-performance academies for young athletes.

The Watersley program is renowned for developing future stars of the sport, offering elite coaching and exposure to UCI-level racing. For Bayley, this is a major step toward his ultimate goal of becoming a professional cyclist.

Speaking about the opportunity, Bayley said: “I’m excited to join Watersley and test myself against some of the best young riders in Europe.

“My focus will be on building strength, gaining experience at the highest level, and being a true team player to help deliver big results.”

Bayley’s journey from local club racing to international competition is a proud moment for the Mid Devon cycling community and an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the region.