Elite Scottish cycling team, Alba Development Road Team, helping women along the road to sporting success
![]() |
News: Alba Development Road Team
Scotland has a new all-female elite cycling team – with the sole aim of providing a platform for progression within the sport. The Alba Development Road Team is aiming to help female talent realise their dreams of competing against the world’s top riders in the biggest races. And thanks to financial backing from several international organisations all athletes are being provided with a bike, individual development plan, riding kit and full race programme to help achieve optimum performance.
Bob Lyons, team manager
Thanks to sponsors, Alba DRT riders will be able to take on the UK and Europe’s top talent without having to fund themselves, something the team feels is crucial to being successful. Backers include companies from across Scotland and UK, and while many boast an international footprint, all have the same elite performance, growth and inclusive mindset.
The team is supported by Trek, Bontrager, John Clark Motor Group, Impsport, Veloforte, Pedal Power, Aramco Ventures, Fifth Ring, Ardoyne Performance Coaching, Anderson Anderson & Brown (AAB), Paradigm Drilling and Rotech Subsea.
Alba DRT Performance Director and Team Manager Bob Lyons said: “The creation of this team is about more than just wearing the same colours and achieving race results. It’s about giving female riders who have demonstrated clear potential to progress in the sport, regardless of current experience or age, the tools and platform to succeed and helping them as much as possible.
“Natural talent, commitment and focus is what should set people apart, not whether they can afford to race or not. That is why it’s important to us that all they have to concentrate on is their performance.”
“The opportunity to grab the attention of young female cyclists just now should not be underestimated. If we can show them there is a pathway to success at a national and international level, and use the talented team we have as the catalyst for that, then this approach will benefit individuals and the sport.”
David Somerville, Head of Performance and Coaching at Scottish Cycling, said: “We are delighted to the see the establishment of a women’s development road team based in Scotland. We are confident the intention behind Alba Development Road Team and the expertise of their staff will lead to valuable development opportunities for female Scottish bike riders.
“We are looking forward to working in partnership with Bob and the rest of the team to maximise rider development and capture learnings from for the team’s debut season.”
The team will compete in the Scottish National Track Championships at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in January, as well as the 2022 HSBC UK National Track Championships later in the month. The riders will then take part in the UK National road series (road and circuit), the Tour Series, and select European stage races. It is envisaged the race programme will present riders with opportunities to ultimately progress to UCI Continental or World Tour Teams.
The confirmed team includes six Scots – Sophie Lankford, Vicky Smith, Beth Maciver, Kate Richardson, Arianne Holland and Erin Murphy – who will be joined by English rider Sophie Enever and Northern Ireland’s Emma Smith.
Bob added: “The debut line-up for Alba DRT is full of some fantastic talent, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in action when the season gets under way. This is an exciting time for Scottish cycling, and one we are delighted to be a part of.”
The team can be followed on Twitter at @AlbaRoadTeam, Instagram on albaroadteam and Facebook at AlbaDevelopmentRT
Team Members
Name: Vicky Smith (see a Q&A here on VeloUK – more to come from other riders)
Age: 33
Location: Lanark
Job: Doctor
Experience: Ex-track athlete, started riding five years ago. An established and respected time trialist and track pursuiter, looking to undertake more road racing in 2022
Name: Sophie Lankford
Age: 26
Location: Glasgow
Job: Full-time rider
Experience: Experienced road, track and circuit rider, currently on the SC performance programme.
Name: Kate Richardson
Age: 19
Location: Glasgow
Job: Student studying Physiology, Sports Science and Nutrition
Experience: Switched to cycling full-time in July 2021 after five years on the British Triathlon Performance Pathway
Name: Emma Smith
Age: 36
Location: Between Ireland and Scotland
Job: Geoscientist
Experience: Started racing four years ago after beginning cycling in a club. Had very good results at a regional level, looking to gain more experience at a national level with a focus on longer road races
Name: Arianne Holland
Age: 22
Location: Edinburgh
Job: Veterinary student
Experience: An accomplished runner, switched to cycling from running in 2020 during lockdown and progressed very quickly. First season of racing in 2021
Name: Erin Murphy
Age: 18
Location: Aberdeenshire
Job: Student studying sports coaching
Experience: Raced as a youth from age 13. Really had a breakthrough year as a second year junior, culminating in winning the Scottish Junior Road Race championship in 2021
Name: Sophie Enever (VeloUK Q&A with Sophie )
Age: 22
Location: Northumberland
Job: Full-time rider
Experience: Accomplished rider with seven years’ experience. Spent the last year based in Belgium riding for a UCI continental team
Name: Beth Maciver
Age: 20
Location: Inverness
Job: Student studying Physiotherapy
Experience: Ex-track athlete, started cycling during lockdown and demonstrated her natural ability. Raced for Movistar esports team in 2021 in parallel with a first season of road racing
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cycle Division’s Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- TT Result: VTTA (Kent) 10m TT
- Result: Cream First Crit Series 8
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- TT Result: Giant Helston 25 mile TT
- Result: Mallory Park Youth Road Race League 1
- Result: Sussex Cycle Racing League Circuits 9
- Result: Castle Combe Summer Series 5
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 9
- Result: Mennock Pass Stage Race
- Result: Torvelo Female’s Road Race
- Result: National Youth Series (Scarborough)
- Result: Peter Taylor Memorial Road Race
- Result: Cliff Pratt Deca Community Crits 4
- TT Result: Allen Valley Velo TT
- TT Result: Sowerby Sunday Club 10
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA 50
- TT Result: Wrexham CC Hilly TT
- TT Result: RTTC Team Time Trial Championship
- TT Result: Andover Wheelers 10
- TT Result: VTTA (Surrey/ Sussex) 10
- TT Result: Redditch Road & Path CC 10
- Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits (June 11)
- TT Result: City RC (Hull) 10
- TT Result: Goodwood Time Trial League
- Result: Lotus Cars Cycle Race League #4
- BMCR Result: The Ron Day MK Bowl Series
- BMCR RESULT: Gemini BC Summer Grand Prix
- Result: Crystal Palace Crits
- Result: SSSCCRRL Handicap Racing League (June 5)
- Result: London Dynamo Road Race
- West Suffolk Grass Track meeting
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- TT Result: Oxonian CC 50
- TT Result: VTTA North Lancs and Lakes Group 50
- Result: Swindon Summer Race Series 1
- Result: Kames Race Day
Other News on VeloUK
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes
- STARTLISTS: 2025 Lincoln Grand Prix
- STARTLIST: The Witham Hall Grand Prix
- Startlist: Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix
- FEATURE: PEDAL CLUB LUNCH REPORT (APRIL)
- 2025 BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUTES
- STARTLIST: Sloan Trophy (April 27)
- News: Teams Revealed for the Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: CiCLE Classic International
- Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage Hosts
- PERTH GRAND PRIX (SCOTLAND)
- April 19: PNE National B Road Race
- STARTLIST: East Cleveland Classic
- Startlists: Witham Hall Junior Two Day (Men & Women)
- Startlist: Totnes-Vire Two Day
- STARTLISTS: Cold Dark Capenwray Road Races
- News: CiCLE Classic – Volunteers Wanted
- Startlist: Danum Trophy 2025
- This weekend: National Under 23 Road Series Rd 1
- Road Championships Heading to Wales
- Glasgow Track League Final Standings
- SUNDAY: Dulwich Paragon Wally Gimber Trophy
- NEW: Wentworth Woodhouse Grand Prix, Rotherham