Welcome to our Rider Profiles — your chance to get to know the riders behind the kit, in their own words.

We sat down with each member of the 2026 Handsling Alba roster and let them do the talking: where they've come from, what drives them, a few things you probably didn't expect to find out and finishing off with some of their top tips for aspiring cyclists. 

So get comfortable and read on to hear from the first rider in our series: Kate Richardson...and if you want to find out how Kate and John Lewis are connected, make sure you read to the bottom!

Hero photo: Andy Smith

The Journey So Far: From Athletics and Triathlon to Cycling with Alba

Up until the age of 18 I competed in triathlon and athletics until eventually transitioning to cycling in October 2021. Alba was actually my first ever road team in their debut season in 2022. 

Back then Alba was one of the British Cycling elite development teams, so we only competed domestically rather than in Europe. 

In my debut road season I had a number of podiums in the Tour Series and won the Ras na Mban in September 2022, which gained me a contract with UCI continental team “Lifeplus Wahoo”. 

Overcoming Challenges

The following few years were filled with challenges. I sustained a fractured collarbone, fractured scapula and a separated AC joint, all within a year due to crashes, suffered from period of post viral fatigue and  experienced the collapse of both Lifeplus Wahoo and Hess Cycling. 

The 2023 and 2024 seasons were extremely disrupted, and I actually didn’t really race much at all for those 2 years although I was fortunate enough to win 2 European U23 and 2 British titles on the track during that period as well the Lincoln Grand Prix in 2024. 

Following the collapse of Hess Cycling in February 2025, I was left without a team and was incredibly lucky that Handsling Alba decided to resign me. 

The Return to Alba in 2025

Winning the 2025 Tour de Feminin (stage race in Czechia) was a massive moment for me. I always believed deep down that I was capable of results like that, but to be honest after the seasons I had experienced in 23/24, there was a lot of doubt around whether I even wanted to continue in the sport. Emotionally it was a really challenging time, and naturally you start to wonder if it just isn’t meant to be. 

The Tour de Feminin felt like a bit of a breakthrough, and helped validate the belief I had that these are the sort of results that are possible for me when I can race consistently. It was a really proud moment and I still feel emotional when I  think about it. The amount of work that had been put in mentally and physically to get back to that sort of level is something I take a lot of pride in and the fact that I was then able to go on and win the National Crit title in Aberystwyth the following month really just underlined that belief.

Looking to 2026

This year, I’m aiming to be in peak form for the National Road champs in June  and the Commonwealth Games on the track (pending selection) at the end of July. 

The Commonwealth Games would be a really cool experience as they are in Glasgow, my home town, so I’d like to be able to put down some good performances there. 

The long term the goal has always been to secure a World Tour contract. I want to be competitive at the highest level in the sport.

Quick Fire Q&A with Kate

What is a fact about you that would surprise people the most?

A surprising fact would be that I was the front cover of the John Lewis Autumn Catalog when I was younger. 

Do you have any favourite food combos that most other people would find weird?

A weird food combo that I really like is honey on eggs on toast! Everyone tells me it’s weird, but when I used to be on a team with Europeans they did it all the time and it’s actually really nice 😂

What is your favourite type of race?

Favourite type of race would be rolling terrain favourable to a reduced bunch sprint. 

What is the hardest race you've ever ridden in?

Hardest race I’ve done is Liège. 

Is there any kit that you'd never ride without?

Gear I wouldn’t ride without would be my helmet!

What are your personal top 3 cycling destinations?

My top 3 cycling destination would be Alpe d'Huez, Tuscany and Norway (raced the Tour of Scandinavia there and I thought it was stunning)

What's the best thing about being on Handsling Alba?

Best thing about Alba is the culture that’s created, the environment never feels toxic and feels as though we all want the best for each other.

Kate's Top Tips for Aspiring Cyclists

Want to follow in Kate's slipstream? Read on for some insider tips from Kate herself...

• For younger riders, focus more on being robust (strength and flexibility work) rather than big miles. What you do when you're young race results wise really doesn’t matter, but setting yourself up with a good foundation will be a massive asset in the future.
• Educate yourself about nutrition, particularly on the bike. Focussing on that will give you massive training adaption benefits and allow you to train harder and longer. 
• Race as much as possible, don’t fear start lines when you feel you’re not 100%. It is easy to wait for the perfect moment to race, but the reality is there will be no perfect time and the only way to draw a line in the sand and progress and grow as a rider is to challenge yourself and see what level you’re at and where you need to go. 

Thanks Kate and all the best for the 2026 season! 💪