Inside the Handsling Alba Development Team Building the Future of Women's Cycling

How a Scottish UCI Continental team is bridging the gap to the WorldTour and creating opportunities for the next generation of riders.

It’s a great time to be a bike racing fan! Women’s cycling is experiencing an unprecedented boom in global visibility, media coverage, and participation. The 2022 launch of the Tour de France Femmes transformed the sport’s profile, driving massive television audiences and an 80% jump in viewership for recent editions. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Women’s WorldTour calendar has expanded to 27 races spanning multiple continents, and average team budgets have climbed significantly. Teams are scouting and signing teenage riders directly into international programs equipped with modern sports science, nutrition, and power data analysis. The recent UCI Road World Championships in Montreal were another shining example of the talent and excitement women’s racing delivers for fans, and the inspiration it provides for future generations.

One team that has been a strong contributor to this movement is the Scottish Handsling Alba Development Road Team, which 4iiii has been proud to work with over the past couple of seasons. Established in 2022 and moving up to UCI Continental Team status in 2024, the team has built a reputation for developing riders and providing a direct pathway into the ranks of professional cycling. To date, they have supported 74 riders, three of whom have progressed to the WorldTour and earned contracts with some of the world’s biggest squads, including Lauren Dickson with FDJ-Suez and Eilidh Shaw with UAE Team ADQ. Today, we want to spotlight this impressive group of riders and staff, who continue to deliver powerful performances across Britain and Europe while opening doors to the sport’s highest level.

A First For Scotland

In 2025, Alba’s Kate Richardson became the British National Circuit Champion and claimed the general classification (GC) at the Tour de Feminin in the Czech Republic, marking a high point for the team and proving the strength of the Alba development model. “No team in Scotland has ever done what we’ve done in the last two years,” said team manager Bob Lyons. “Women’s cycling has grown enormously, but the development pathway beneath the professional level still needs investment. That is the gap Alba exists to address. We have seen what is possible, with a rider progressing from Alba to the Women’s WorldTour in each of the last three years.”

The demand for these opportunities is equally clear, with more than 200 riders applying for just six open spots on the team for 2027. The model driving this success pairs emerging talent with seasoned mentors, including Olympic medallists, national champions, and world champions, creating an environment where younger riders can learn directly from those who have already competed at cycling’s highest level.

Reflecting on the team’s continued success and growth, Bob Lyons shared: “We have delivered on our initial five-year business plan and accomplished exactly what we set out to do. We now find ourselves in a very strong position for the next phase of the team’s growth. The 2027 season brings our strongest squad to date, including four current or former world champions, and we will continue to build on our 2026 successes, where we showed that we can compete with the world’s best.”

2026 Roster & Season Overview

The 2026 roster featured a dynamic mix of emerging raw talent and experienced racers, fostering an environment built on healthy development, fierce competition, and strong camaraderie. The squad included Neah Evans, Madelaine Leech, Kate Richardson, Izzy Sharp, Grace Lister, Beth Morrow, Anna Flynn, Arabella Blackburn, Eluned King, Amelia Tyler, Mari Porton, Arianne Holland, Madeline Cooper, Holly Ramsey, and Lily Martin.

The team delivered standout performances across both the domestic British calendar and international UCI Europe Tour events. Kate Richardson secured a major domestic win at the Derwent Reservoir round of the Women’s National Road Series, breaking away on the final climb to claim victory. In July, Maddie Cooper captured a brilliant solo win at the Guildford Women’s Grand Prix (Criterium), alongside podiums and top finishes that included third at the Otley Grand Prix and fourth at the Colne Grand Prix.

The squad also earned an invitation to the Lloyds Tour of Britain as one of the country’s premier Continental teams. While they walked away without a top-10 finish, they showcased impressive tactical depth, guiding multiple riders safely through the demanding multi-stage race against elite WorldTour competition and gaining vital experience at the sport’s highest tier.

Cooper capped off her summer criterium campaign by taking sixth overall at the British National Circuit Race Championship. On the continent, Richardson led Alba’s international points haul with a string of top-15 finishes in competitive European 1.1-class races: fifth on Stage 1 of the Bretagne Ladies Tour, ninth at the EPZ Omloop van Borsele, 13th at Festival Elsy Jacobs à Luxembourg, and 15th at Ronde de Mouscron.

Kate Richardson, a 24-year-old puncheur now in her third year with Alba, reflected on what drew her to the program: “The culture that’s created and the development focus; the environment never feels toxic and feels as though we all want the best for each other.”

That sentiment was echoed by 18-year-old sprinter/puncheur Arabella Blackburn, who just completed her debut season with the squad: “The close bond you build with everyone on the team; it really feels like everyone wants to see each other win and achieve their goals. The environment is so supportive of our long-term development.”

As the road season wound down, the team shifted its focus to off-road disciplines. Beth Morrow claimed the Scottish Elite Women’s Gravel National Championship title, while newly crowned Scottish Elite Women’s CX National Champion Anna Flynn and teammate Arabella Blackburn animated the front of the elite field at the opening round of the 2026/27 Lloyds Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series in Derby.

A New Era: The Rebrand to CAMS Alba

For the 2027 season, the squad is set to rebrand as the CAMS Alba Development Team after securing title sponsorship from cycling accident support specialist CAMS. Having previously backed a women’s UCI team, CAMS has a long track record of championing opportunities for female riders and nurturing emerging talent. Through CAMS Alba, that commitment continues with a clear focus on giving young riders a structured pathway to the highest tiers of the sport.

With 30 years of experience supporting cyclists following accidents, CAMS has assisted more than 10,000 riders and built a community that extends from first-time commuters to seasoned professionals.

4iiii is proud to return for another season, backing this talented roster with the training and racing tools that power their success. Rider Arabella Blackburn highlighted power data as a crucial asset for her off-season targets, particularly building fatigue resistance and depth for longer stage races. When asked for a standout power highlight from her 2026 campaign, she pointed to “instigating the break on Stage 1 of the Tour of Britain, which required 30 seconds at 550W and peaked at 780W.” And as for how her PRECISION 3+ Powermeter handles the relentless rain UK riders face for much of the year? “It handles everything thrown at it!”

Looking ahead at the program’s long-term ambitions, Performance Director and Team Manager Bob Lyons shared: “We now move into the next phase of the team’s development, which will deliver a top UCI Continental team in 2027 and a step up to Pro Continental in 2028. The business plan takes the team to the WorldTour if there is the will, support, and budget. The team has the potential to be the female equivalent of the Sky story.”

We couldn’t agree more, and we’re thrilled to be on board for the ride!

Bridging the gap between grassroots racing and the UCI Women’s WorldTour requires more than ambition, it demands proven systems, resilience, and precise training tools. As the Handsling Alba Development Team prepares for its next chapter as CAMS Alba in 2027, their track record of graduating riders to the sport’s highest ranks speaks for itself. Backed by the unmatched accuracy and durability of 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Powermeters, the squad continues to elevate British and international women’s cycling one race at a time.

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Also have a look at the 4iiii power meters used by the Handslipg Alba team.