NEWS: Ribble Outliers are back

TEAM NEWS: The Ribble Outliers are back for 2026 following a breakthrough debut season which delivered over 20 podiums, including gold medals at UCI World Series and Gravel Earth events.

NEWS: Ribble Outliers are back

The team’s roster is growing from six to seven riders this year with the additions of Abi Smith and Josie Millard. After four years competing in the Women’s UCI WorldTour, Abi brings a wealth of experience, with six national titles spanning road, time trial, track, hill climbing and gravel. The current British National Gravel Time Trial Champion enters the fold ready to take on her first full season dedicated to gravel racing.

Josie joins the team following a highly unconventional route into cycling. A former professional skateboarder and the first woman to be named European Skateboarder of the Year, Josie has swapped four wheels for two and is now fully committed to gravel. The 2026 season marks her first year as a professional cyclist. Abi and Josie will be joined by five more athletes who are returning for the second season, bringing a mix of proven winners, former road professionals, and emerging talent:

— Metheven Bond – Stepping up from semi-pro to chase his first professional podium
— Harry Tanfield – Former WorldTour pro and current British National Gravel Time Trial Champion.
— Ben Thomas – Four-time national champion and instrumental team contributor
— Sophie Wright – 2025 Gravel Suisse winner and the UK’s top-performing women’s gravel racer
VJenson Young – 2025 Three Peaks champion and UCI Gralloch gold medallist

What 2025 Delivered
The debut season was about proving it could be done. Jenson Young beat Lachlan Morton at the Three Peaks Cyclocross Challenge, setting a new course record in the process. Sophie Wright took gold at Gravel Suisse and didn’t let up all season. Harry Tanfield made the move from road to gravel, proving that roadies can have fun off-road too, and Ben Thomas delivered consistent results all year. That all contributed to the Ribble Outliers cementing their place as the UK’s leading gravel team and among the highest-ranked outfits in the world.

What’s Ahead
The Ribble Outliers will race a full international calendar in 2026. The goal remains the same: Racing hard at the highest level, supporting the growth of gravel racing, having fun, and representing what it actually takes to show up and perform, week after week. Gravel racing is about the adventure – the terrain, the conditions, the challenge of racing on surfaces that change by the mile. It rewards those who get stuck in, adapt, and keep pushing. That’s what the Ribble Outliers are all about.

Partnership Support
Kalas, Schwalbe, Restrap, POC, SRAM, Zipp, TrainingPeaks, Selle Italia, Presta and Precision Fuel and Hydration will be providing support for the team. These brands make high-level gravel racing possible. The right kit, reliable equipment, performance nutrition, and reinforcements throughout the season.

David Stacey, Commercial and Marketing Director, Ribble Cycles, said: “We’re really proud of the incredible results the Ribble Outliers delivered last year. Gravel racing is a unique combination of challenges which gives the sport an unpredictable, exciting edge that we love, and there’s no better proving ground for our bikes. With a packed calendar and a new rider roster, we’re excited to get started with the 2026 season.”

Metheven Bond said: “I went from being part of the marketing team at Ribble to testing prototypes to racing professionally. Over 25,000 kilometres taught me what our ULTRA-GRIT bike can do. Now it’s about proving what I can do, and my goal is to achieve my first pro podium.”

Josie Millard said: “Skateboarding taught me that limits are there to be pushed! Gravel racing demands the same. Different surface, same mentality. I’m here to learn, race hard, and see what’s possible when you step outside your comfort zone.”

Abi Smith said: “Coming from the WorldTour, I understand what it takes to compete at the top, but a full gravel season is uncharted territory for me. It will be a new challenge, and that’s what I want this year! Let’s see what I’m capable of.”

Harry Tanfield said: “Coming from the road to gravel in 2025, the racing has been a completely different challenge. No team cars, no predictable finishes, just pure racing. Year one taught me a lot. Year two is about applying those lessons and competing at the front.”

Ben Thomas said: “Racing at this level isn’t just about individual results, it’s about the team working together, supporting each other and delivering. Last season laid the groundwork. This season, we build on it and aim higher.”

Sophie Wright said: “After a fantastic 2025, the bar has been set. I’m very much looking forward to another year of racing for the Ribble Outliers. The team has grown, we have brilliant support, fantastic sponsors, a great team vibe, and everything is in place to raise the standard this season.”

Jenson Young said: “Breaking the Three Peaks record and winning UCI Graean proved what’s possible when I fully commit. But records are meant to be beaten, and with my team-mate Ben [Thomas] pushing my coaching, I feel like more races are there to be won this year.”

For more information on the Ribble Outliers, visit ribble.com/ribble-outliers

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