Handsling Alba is Pioneering Athlete Development to Elevate Riders to Women’s Cycling World Tour.

Two straight seasons producing riders advancing from Handsling Alba to World Tour teams has fueled excitement across an expanded rider roster for 2026.

Riders L-R: Arabella Blackburn, Anna Flynn, Maddie Cooper, Arianne Holland, Mari Porton, Grace Lister, Beth Morrow, Amelia Tyler, Holly Ramsey. Photo Credit: Kabir Zaman.

Dundee, Scotland - Handsling Alba Development Road Team has announced the launch of its women’s UCI Continental 2026 cycling team at John Clark Škoda. 

A Different Approach to Achievement

The team is built around a simple priority: athlete development. The team’s tailored race programmes are designed to give each rider the experience and confidence needed to progress to the highest levels of the sport — a model that has produced one rider in each of the past two seasons graduating to Women’s World Tour teams.

“We select and programme around people, not just raw power numbers. When riders gain the experience, confidence, skills and race craft they need, results and advancement naturally follow. Handsling Alba has seen that success with Eilidh Shaw and Lauren Dickson both progressing to World Tour outfits each of the last two seasons. I’m excited about this year’s team and look forward to even more riders progressing to the top echelons of road cycling.” 

Bob Lyons, Performance Director and Team Manager

Successfully Filling a Gap

Women’s cycling visibility has surged recently around marquee events such as the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, but that growth has not yet consistently reached the development level — particularly in Britain, where some teams and race opportunities have contracted. Handsling Alba addresses that gap by offering a structured, coach-led pathway that keeps promising young riders in the sport and prepares them for a potential move to professional ranks.

Ambitious Goals Ahead

Although the ethos remains steadfastly behind “rider development”, the 2026 team has grown in size to 13 riders and has been strengthened further to enhance competitiveness at the highest level. Not an easy task considering the team received over 200 rider applications of interest. 

The riders chosen also exemplify an important aspect that has been key to the ongoing success of the team: riders are chosen not just for pure watts or physiological potential, but also for commitment to the team’s ethos and values. That said, the team is full of potential and experience, with young riders mixed with current World Champions, National Champions and Olympic medalists.

In addition to this year’s extensive racing calendar, Handsling Alba is also targeting progression to UCI Pro Continental status. This aim is tied to the opportunity surrounding the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift which will be starting in the UK. Riders will also be building up their experience on the team to apply to their possible inclusion in Los Angeles 2028 track and road competitions, and in the nearer future the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.

From Calpe to the Cobbles

Handsling Alba’s next stop is the area around Calpe, Spain in early February for a team training camp to prep for the season ahead. After the Costa Blanca, the cobbles and short, steep ‘hellingen’ climbs of Belgium await to kick off the road cycling season in earnest starting the first weekend of March. 

In between, some riders will also be taking part in the European (in Turkey) and British Track Championships looking to add the team’s tally of European, national and world championship track jerseys.

A Call to Partnership

Such is the funding model of cycling teams, there is a heavy emphasis on sponsorship and partnership. John Clark Motor Group has strongly and consistently supported Handsling Alba with team vehicles and has provided the venue for the 2026 team launch at their Škoda showroom in Dundee as well. 

With ambitions ahead, Handsling Alba are always keen to speak to any businesses keen to support the team through sponsorship or partnership and can be approached via the website, or social media channels.

Riders L-R: Arabella Blackburn, Maddie Cooper, Anna Flynn, Arianne Holland, Holly Ramsey, Amelia Tyler, Beth Morrow, Grace Lister, Mari Porton. Photo Credit: Kabir Zaman

For any press, media or sponsorship enquiries please contact Nathan Kaczmarski, Commercial & Marketing Manager at nathan@alba-rt.com