Handsling Alba Development Road Team announced as Women’s UCI Continental Team for 2025 season

Elite women’s cycling team Alba Development Road Team has named bike manufacturer Handsling as frame supplier and title sponsor for the 2025 season.

The Scotland based UCI Continental team will race as Handsling Alba Development Road Team and continue to be equipped with the British bike brand’s high-performance A1R0evo carbon race bikes, custom-painted in Alba Blue.

Together they aim to build on this season’s remarkable success in both domestic and continental cycling. Alba riders raced to a stunning championship double in the British elite road and circuit series and performed strongly in high-profile European events including Tour de Feminin, Antwerp Port Epic and Tour de L’Ardeche.

Alba and Handsling share the objective of providing talented riders with a pathway to the top of women’s cycling. Scottish national champion Eilidh Shaw recently signed a two-year contract with the UAE Development Team following a series of outstanding wins on her Handsling A1R0evo.

The 19-year-old won the UK National Road and Circuit Series and was named domestic rider of the year by both Cycling Weekly and the British Continental – all in her first full season at elite level.

Bob Lyons, Alba Performance Director and Team Manager, said: ‘2024 was a tremendous season for the team, completing an unprecedented double on home soil, with Eilidh winning both the road and circuit elite national titles, together with a string of very strong results in Europe. In addition to the results, the development of the team as a whole was outstanding and the A1R0evo played a part in the team’s successes. Handsling’s vision is very much aligned with that of the team and building on our existing relationship will be a major factor in the delivery of the team’s objectives going forward’

Simon Whiten, Director of Handsling Ltd, said: ‘We’re delighted to be strengthening our existing relationship with Alba as title sponsors. It’s been incredible to see the success of the team on the A1R0evo, winning many of the UK’s biggest races and being competitive on the continent. It means a lot to see riders like Eilidh making huge strides in their cycling careers and demonstrating the race pedigree of Handsling frames.

Handsling was launched out of the UK domestic race scene with a goal to make elite level bikes more accessible to everyone from casual enthusiasts to dedicated racers. For cyclists to become world class, they require the team environment, race programme and high- performance equipment to fulfil their potential. We’re confident that Handsling Alba will provide this.’

Handsling Alba’s roster for the 2025 season will consist of 11 riders. The line-up features a mixture of youth, experience, and even a household name – Olympic and World Champion Neah Evans. Riders renewing their contracts include race winners Lauren Dickson, Beth Morrow and Keira Bond. U23 signings Maddie Leach, El King and Mari Porton are considered potential stars of the future.

The focus is still very much on rider development, but with the strength and depth of the squad, it is expected to surpass the achievements of 2024. As a British team, it is a priority to support elite racing in the UK, so the team will be fully committed to all UK elite races.

The European calendar has expanded considerably, with the objectives being to ensure riders are in the correct races to optimise development. It is expected to undertake 40-50 race days in Europe, spanning both single day and stage races at all UCI levels (2, 1, Pro and WT).

Prior to her departure to UAE Development Team, Eilidh Shaw said: ‘The team structure, development support and environment has allowed me to focus on developing as a bike rider. This coupled with a rider focused race calendar and exemplary organisation has provided the perfect platform for me, as a rider, to secure a contract with UAE. There is not a better place to be for ambitious female cyclists.’

The team will be equipped with the Handsling A1R0evo for the second season in a row. Designed 100% in-house, the carbon frame is disc brake only, has clearance for 32mm tyres, and features asymmetrical forks and chain stays to enhance power transfer and stability under braking. Handsling controls all aspects of production and owns the moulds used to manufacture the A1R0evo.

Handsling bikes are custom assembled in the UK to rider size and spec, with a selection of 20 frame colours.

Visit www.handslingbikes.com for more information.