The Tour of Britain is ranked 2.Pro on the UCI calendar. The ‘2’ relates to it being a stage race, while the ‘Pro’ means it’s one level below the top-level WorldTour.
There are 18 teams in the men’s WorldTour and, while teams aren’t obliged to ride races at the Tour of Britain’s level, up to 70 per cent of such a race’s start list can consist of WorldTour teams.
Whether a WorldTour team enters depends on several factors, including how relevant the race is to its sponsors and competing events.
This year sees five WorldTour teams, including Ineos Grenadiers and Movistar, taking on the undulating 2022 Tour of Britain route.
The remaining 30 per cent or so is made up of ProTeams, Continental and, sometimes, a GB national team. There are a host of ProTeams such as Bardiani-CSF-Faizone and UNO-X and Continental Teams including WiV SunGod and Ribble Weldtite.
WorldTour Teams
Ineos Grenadiers
Great Britain
- ToB starts: 11
- ToB stage wins: 19
- Founded: 2010
- Bike: Pinarello
- Headline sponsor: Chemicals
- Star rider: Tom Pidcock
- In five words: Still the team to beat
Movistar
Spain
- ToB starts: 8
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 1980
- Bike: Canyon
- Headline sponsor: Telecommunications
- Star rider: Iñigo Elosegui
- In five words: Doyenne of the pro peloton
Team DSM
Netherlands
- ToB starts: 5
- ToB stage wins: 2
- Founded: 2005
- Bike: Scott
- Headline sponsor: Nutrition and health
- Star rider: Cees Bol
- In five words: Often punching above their weight
Israel-Premier Tech
Israel
- ToB starts: 2
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2015
- Bike: Factor
- Headline sponsor: Nation of Israel
- Star rider: Dylan Tuens
- In five words: Always capable of big win
Bora-Hansgrohe
Germany
- ToB starts: 4
- ToB stage wins: 1
- Founded: 2010
- Bike: Specialized
- Headline sponsor: Cooking systems
- Star rider: Nils Politt
- In five words: Big hitter in WorldTour peloton
ProTeams
Bardiani-CSF-Faizone
Italy
- ToB starts: 8
- ToB stage wins: 1
- Founded: 1982
- Bike: Cipollini
- Headline sponsor: Valve company
- Star rider: Enrico Battaglin
- In five words: Still battling after many years
UNO-X
Norway
- ToB starts: 0
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2010
- Bike: Dare
- Headline sponsor: N/A
- Star rider: Anthon Charmig
- In five words: Stepping it up a level
Caja Rural
Spain
- ToB starts: 2
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2000
- Bike: MMR
- Headline: sponsor Bank
- Star rider: Eduard Prades
- In five words: Long-running Basque pro team
Human Powered Health
USA
- ToB starts: 1
- ToB stage wins: 1
- Founded: 2007
- Bike: Felt
- Headline sponsor: Wellness platform
- Star rider: Matt Gibson
- In five words: Stage winner on 2021 debut
Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise
Belgium
- ToB starts: 9
- ToB stage wins: 3
- Founded: 1994
- Bike: Eddy Merckx
- Headline sponsor: Insurance
- Star rider: Kamiel Bonneu
- In five words: Star riders of the future
Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB
- ToB starts: 0
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2011
- Bike: De Rosa
- Headline sponsor: Sports betting and casino games
- Star rider: Stanislaw Aniolkowski
- In five words: First participation at the race
Continental Teams
WiV SunGod
Great Britain
- ToB starts: 4
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2017
- Bike: Canyon
- Headline sponsor: NFTs/Sunglasses
- Star rider: Jacob Scott
- In five words: Sprint jersey winner in 2021
Ribble Weldtite
Great Britain
- ToB starts: 1
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2019
- Bike: Ribble
- Headline sponsor: Bike manufacturer
- Star rider: Harry Tanfield
- In five words: Northern powerhouse on British scene
Trinity Racing
Great Britain
- ToB starts: 1
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2019
- Bike: Specialized
- Headline sponsor: Sports management
- Star rider: Thomas Gloag
- In five words: Breeding ground for young talent
Saint Piran Pro Cycling
Great Britain
- ToB starts: 1
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2018
- Bike: Lapierre
- Headline sponsor: N/A
- Star rider: Gabriel Cullaigh
- In five words: Multi-level team with grassroots base
Global 6 Cycling
New Zealand
- ToB starts: 1
- ToB stage wins: 0
- Founded: 2021
- Bike: Pinarello
- Headline sponsor: N/A
- Star rider: Kiaan Watts
- In five words: New Zealand team with global roster
Team Qhubeka
South Africa
- ToB starts: 9
- ToB stage wins: 2
- Founded: 207
- Bike: BMC
- Headline sponsor: Charity
- Star rider: Negasu Abreha
- In five words: Not the force they were
NATIONAL TEAM
Great Britain
- ToB starts: 13
- ToB stage wins: 4
- Founded: N/A
- Bike: Cervélo
- Headline sponsor: National team
- Star rider: Conor Swift
- In five words: A glimpse at tomorrow’s stars