Team News: Tour of Britain for Alba Development RT

Tour of Britain invitation a sign of success for top Scots cycling team Alba Development Road Team

Team News: Tour of Britain for Alba Development RT

Alba Development Road Team manager Bob Lyons believes their invitation to be part of the Tour of Britain Women is an indication of how far the team has come since it launched less than three years ago – but that there is still more to come.

Alba are one of six British UCI Continental teams to be confirmed for the event, which starts in Welshpool on June 6 and finishes in Greater Manchester on June 9. The Scotland-based team will be joined by DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK, Doltcini-O’Shea, Hess Cycling Team, Lifeplus-Wahoo and Pro-Noctis – 200° Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting.

It is a remarkable rise for Alba, which was formed with the sole aim of helping women realise their dreams of competing against the world’s top riders in the biggest races. And after stepping up to UCI Continental level this season, it is an objective that is being met.
Performance Director and Team Manager Bob said: “To be competing in our first women’s world tour race on home soil is a great thrill, and something we are all looking forward to.

“I am delighted with how far we have come as a team in the short time since our formation. We have only been able to enjoy this success due to the talent and hard work the riders have put in, and it is fantastic to see them getting the reward of competing on the biggest stage.

“We are also extremely grateful to our sponsors, whose backing has meant we’ve been able to travel across Europe to compete in several races this year. Since the season got under way we have challenged ourselves against the best in Europe, including competing in cycling’s spiritual home in Belgium against some of the continent’s best. That itself should give everyone associated with the team the confidence to go out and test themselves in any race in which we take part.”

The Alba team have enjoyed a solid start to the 2024 season, securing second place finishes at both the CiCLE Classic and the Women’s East Cleveland Classic, sealing three top 15 finishes in the former, and currently sit third in the British National Series team classification and Eilidh Shaw and Amelia Taylor both in the top 10 following the recent Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.

Bob added: “With the British National Road Series increasing from five rounds in 2023 to a possible eight this year, it shows women’s cycling is continuing to grow, something I am sure will continue with the wider exposure this year’s Olympics will bring.

“The Tour of Britain Women being added to the calendar sets us up nicely for a fantastic summer of sport, one that everyone on the team is looking forward to.”

For more information on Alba, follow the team on Twitter at @AlbaRoadTeam, Instagram on albaroadteam and Facebook at AlbaDevelopmentRT