The renowned US men's cycling team, REIGN Storm Racing, has announced a temporary halt to its operations for the current year. This decision comes as a surprise following their exceptional performance in North America during the previous season. Team director Thomas Craven confirmed the news to Cyclingnews on Friday, citing financial challenges and an inability to secure sufficient sponsorship. The team is now planning a potential relaunch in 2026. Despite the setback, the team's dominance in recent competitions remains a testament to their prowess, including sweeping podiums at the USA Crits calendar and excelling in the American Criterium Cup circuit.

Craven expressed his disappointment over the abrupt pause, highlighting that he had anticipated a longer commitment from the team. Initially, there was interest from a major player who showed willingness to be a title sponsor, but negotiations did not materialize as expected. The team faced significant operational costs, with travel, insurance, entry fees, and rider salaries being the primary expenses. Despite these challenges, Craven emphasized the importance of paying riders fairly, which set REIGN Storm apart from many other domestic teams. The team's success was built on a robust formula that consistently outperformed competitors, making their absence this year particularly regrettable.

Craven reflected on the team's achievements, noting how they dominated the USA Crits series and the American Criterium Cup. Key victories included wins by Alfredo Rodriguez at the Sunny King Criterium and Greenville Cycling Classic, Jordan Parra's overall win in the American Criterium Cup, and Danny Summerhill's sprint title. The team also celebrated Bryan Gómez's eight podium finishes, including two wins, and Jamie Alberto Castañeda's five race wins in Puerto Rico. These accomplishments underscored the team's effectiveness and competitiveness in the cycling world.

Looking ahead, Craven acknowledged the support from cycling industry partners who hoped the team could continue. However, despite efforts to keep the team running, the decision was made to pause operations rather than operate on a bare-bones budget. While some riders like Gómez and Parra are rumored to have found new homes, the rest of the roster faces uncertainty. For now, the promise of "See you next year!" on the team's website has shifted to a hopeful plea for a comeback in 2026. Craven concluded by expressing his gratitude for the time spent with the team and his anticipation for a future return.