Background

EFM proudly supported the British Cycling team at the 2026 UEC Track Elite European Championships in Konya, Turkey – delivering every bike and piece of technical equipment safely, securely and on time.

Hosted at the world-class Konya Velodrome in Konya, the championships saw the Great Britain Cycling Team produce one of their strongest international performances to date – smashing world records and topping the medal table with seven gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

Brief

Delivering Performance Through Precision Logistics

EFM were tasked to manage the movement of nearly 2,000kg of high-value, time-critical freight from Manchester to Turkey. Three transport solutions were proposed to British Cycling:

  • Air freight into Istanbul with final delivery by road to Konya
  • Road freight via three dedicated 3.5-tonne vans
  • Road freight via a single dedicated 18-tonne truck

While a single truck was the most cost-effective option, the five-day transit time and multiple border crossings introduced unnecessary risk. Working closely with the British Cycling logistics team, air freight was selected as the most secure and reliable solution to meet the tight event schedule.

Delivery

Navigating Complex Customs

Turkey is known for its detailed and sometimes inconsistent customs procedures. Partnering with trusted Turkish agent Ekspreslojistik, EFM ensured all documentation was completed well in advance, including:

  • ATA Carnet
  • Air Waybills
  • Detailed packing lists with images of every item
  • Turkish translation of the official invitation letter
  • MSDS documentation where required

As always, our commitment remained clear RIGHT STUFF, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME – EVERY TIME.

All equipment was delivered directly to British Cycling staff in Konya, ready for competition. 

Reverse Logistics – Planning for the Return

After an exceptional medal haul, the return journey required just as much attention to detail. Reverse logistics can often be more complex than outbound freight, particularly when dealing with international customs controls.

EFM worked closely with the team to ensure a smooth departure from Turkey, advising on key compliance points such as:

  • Returning items to their correct cases
  • Emptying liquids and removing aerosols
  • Powering down all technical equipment
  • Ensuring no additional items were introduced

These steps helped streamline customs clearance and protect the integrity of the shipment.

Result

Finishing as Strong as We Started

Upon arrival back at our Egham warehouse, our team conducted a full inspection of all equipment. Noticing worn “FRAGILE” labels on several cases, we proactively replaced them before returning everything to the Manchester Velodrome in pristine condition.

From world-record performances on the track to flawless logistics behind the scenes, this project showcased the importance of preparation, partnership and precision.  EFM is proud to be part of the team behind the team.