History

In Memory of Jon Miles (1928 – 2025) 

Founder of the Women’s Team Series

The British Women’s Team Cup exists today because of the vision, passion, and tireless commitment of one man — Jon Miles. Over 57 years,  Jon played many significant roles in the cycling scene in the UK,  a Team Manager, a prolific race organiser, a commissaire, and a decorated volunteer. He was awarded the British Cycling gold badge of honour in 2023 for services to cycling.

But Jon was far more than the roles he played. He was a catalyst for change, a tireless supporter of riders, and a true champion for women’s cycling. Through his dedication, Jon opened doors for women in the sport long before women’s racing enjoyed the support and visibility it does today.

He organised the UK’s first women’s cycle race in 1974 and launched the first women’s circuit race championships, both groundbreaking milestones for the sport. His contribution was recognised with honorary membership of the Women’s Cycle Racing Association (WCRA). He also managed and supported numerous international trips, giving female riders invaluable racing experience abroad. Among these was the 2000 Tour ta’ Malta, where Jon’s team included the then 16-year-old National Road Race Champion Nicole Cooke, whom he had helped to support from her earliest successes.

Jon later served as National Coach of Malta, leading the national team to medal-winning performances at the 2001 Games of the Small States of Europe and representing Malta at the Commonwealth Games. His efforts to bring Maltese riders to compete in the UK further underscored his commitment to international development and inclusivity within the sport.

The idea for the Women’s Team Series — rebranded as the British Women’s Team Cup in 2020— was born from a conversation in a Leicester car park in 1999 after a frustrating meeting with the BCF.  Jon and Jenny Gretton, who had been racing for WCRA Team in Ireland, Malta and Holland, took away a strong sense from the meeting that nothing was going to change, unless they made it happen themselves. Within half an hour, they had mapped out an outline for what a new series could offer to support the development of team strategies and tactical racing in a team environment that otherwise did not typically exist. Discussion followed in the weeks afterwards with Jon contacting potential organisers and the first ever Women's Team Race Series was held on 30 April 2000 in Bedford with 2 other races in Bangor and  Nottingham.

From those small beginnings, the series expanded and changed the course of women’s racing for years to come.  It encouraged riders to experience racing, with the support of team mates on the day, instead of racing as individuals representing different clubs.   Importantly,  Jon’s vision was that  the Series should be 'owned' by the riders themselves and each year everyone was invited to attend a debrief of the season where the riders would have a say in the way the Series would be run going forwards. 

What Jon could not have anticipated was the impact the Series had on the creation of Teams. In the early days riders were encouraged to represent their ‘Division’ or ‘Region’ but what quickly followed were new sponsors being attracted to Women’s cycling and new teams emerging.

In addition to coordinating the Series overall, Jon also organised the legendary Bedford 3 Day Stage Race , which became a highlight of the Team Series racing calendar, attracting international teams and showcasing world-class talent. At the time, it was the only Women’s stage race on the national calendar.

The roll of honour from the Team Series events over the years includes Dame Laura Trott, Dame Sarah Storey, Lizzie Deignan, Anna Henderson, Hannah and Alice Barnes, Lucy Garner and Zoe Backstedt to name a few.  All of these riders benefiting from an improved and expanded racing calendar and the opportunity to develop their ability and experience racing as part of a team.

For many riders, Jon was their first supporter, their quiet motivator, and their lifelong mentor. He was always there on the roadside, encouraging every rider to “just keep going.” His mantra — “You’ve just got to finish the race” — became the heartbeat of the Series.

Even after stepping back in 2022 and handing over the reins to Lisa West who herself started racing in the Team Series in 2006, Jon never truly left. He still wanted to hear the race results, how the teams were doing, and what new ideas were coming next.

Jon Miles’s vision transformed women’s cycling in Britain. His belief in opportunity, teamwork, and perseverance continues to shape the sport — and every rider who lines up for the British Women’s Team Cup today rides, in part, because of him.

We are truly grateful that Jon’s family wanted to support women’s cycling and asked for donations at his funeral to our Team Cup Support Fund which help riders cover their entry fees. It’s a wonderful way to honour Jon, and to make sure his legacy continues for years to come, we have renamed  it  ‘The Jon Miles Rider Support Fund’ in his memory.