An overview of what we know so far about women’s domestic road race teams and how they are shaping up for 2021. A similar overview for men’s domestic teams can be found here.
This is a ‘live’ post that will be updated as team news emerges.
Latest update: 2 August 2021
Featured photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. 2019 HSBC UK National Road Championships, Women’s Road Race – Norwich, Norfolk, England.
Continental teams
On the men’s side of the sport, there are three tiers of UCI teams: UCI WorldTeams, UCI ProTeams and UCI Continental teams. The women’s side skips the middle tier, instead having Women’s WorldTeams and UCI Women’s Continental teams.
Last year, two British teams were registered at UCI Women’s Continental level: CAMS – Tifosi (the 2020 incarnation of the all-conquering Brother UK – Tifosi of 2019), and Drops. These teams continue in 2021, joined by UCI Continental newcomers AWOL-O’Shea.
Drops will begin their sixth year at UCI level in 2021 with all of their 2020 squad, as well as three new exciting signings.
18-year-old Alice Towers joins the team to ride her first season at senior level, having made a brief stagiaire appearance with Spanish team Eneicat-RBH Global last year year. Meanwhile, accomplished road and track rider Maike van der Duin joins from the Biehler Krush Pro Cycling squad. Van der Duin sprinted to a silver medal at the European U23 Track Championships in Fiorenzuola D’Arda, Italy earlier this year. Last, but certainly not least, Dani Christmas joins from Lotto Soudal Ladies. The 33-year-old – who won the first edition of the Tour de Belle Isle en Terre – Kreiz Breizh Elites Dames (UCI 1.2) in 2018 – will add both experience and firepower to the squad.
Drops’ 2020 squad
Drops also bring in new sponsorship. Current partner, British performance clothing brand Le Col, step up their support as title sponsor, and are doubling down their investment having spent the past two years with the team developing some of the most eye-catching women’s kit in the pro peloton. Meanwhile, premium mattress and pillow brand, TEMPUR, joins as a new sponsor.
In: Dani Christmas (Lotto Soudal Ladies), Alice Towers (Cero – Cycle Division RT), Maike van der Duin (Biehler Krush Pro Cycling)
Re-signed: Elizabeth Bennett, Anna Christian, Joscelin Lowden, Maria Martins, Emily Meakin, Emilie Moberg, Elise Marie Olsen, Sara Penton, Finja Smekal, April Tacey, Marjolein Van’t Geloof
By far the most successful outfit on the domestic scene in 2019 was Brother – Tifosi, wrapping up the Tour Series overall win in convincing fashion as well as claiming victory in half of the National Road Series events, the National Circuit Championships and frequently peppering the top 10 of just about any race they entered. This success yielded the reward of stepping up to UCI level for 2020, with the backing of CAMS under a three-year deal, providing the team with security throughout the pandemic. They also signed a new bike partner deal in April this year, meaning their name has evolved from CAMS – Tifosi to CAMS – Basso Bikes.
CAMS-Basso Bike’s 2021 squad
The team bring in three new riders for 2021, including time trial specialist Hayley Simmonds, Kate Wootton from development team Brother UK – OnForm and Emma Edwards. Meanwhile, Grace Garner and Charmaine Porter have both retired.
Sophie Thackray, 8th in the Women’s CiCLE Classic this year, joined as a stagiaire on 2 August.
In: Kate Wootton (Brother UK – OnForm), Hayley Simmonds (Ciclotel), Emma Edwards (Campinese – Velo Performance), Sophie Thackray***
Re-signed: Megan Barker, Rebecca Durrell, Jo Tindley*, Illi Gardner, Natalie Grinczer, Megan Barker, Clover Murray, Jessica Finney, Katie Scott, Gaby Shaw, Jennifer Powell***
Run by Pat Hayes, the AWOL set-up has created a new UCI Continental this year, replete with new co-sponsor O’Shea, that will run alongside the existing elite team, AWOL Worx (see below), which will effectively work as a development squad. With two new members of staff on board, both female riders with a wealth of experience on the continent (Megan Chard and Isla Rush), the team will no doubt have excellent representation across national events and UCI races, with a young squad made up of primarily under 23 riders.
2018 OVO Energy Tour Series Women’s Race – Grand Final: Salisbury – Admiral Liv AWOL. Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Describing themselves as an ‘amateur team with elite ambitions’, the team has said it wanted to make the step up to ‘create a healthy, supportive environment for young women to realise their potential on the international stage’. The team hopes UCI status will afford it greater opportunity and greater freedom in race calendar selections.
The team moves six riders across from the AWOL Worx squad, including our 2021 journal contributor Charlotte Broughton. They are joined by seven new riders.
In: Hannah Bayes (AWOL Worx), Olivia Bent (Jadan – Vive le Velo), Charlotte Broughton (AWOL Worx), Autumn Collins (Weston Homes-Torelli-Assure), Amy Cundy (unknown), Alana Forster (StepFWD IT Suzuki), Hannah Graveney (AWOL Worx), Connie Hayes (AWOL Worx), Phoebe Martin (Cero – Cycle Division Racing Team), Elizabeth Marvelly (AWOL Worx), Caitlin Peters (Weston Homes-Torelli-Assure), Louise Scupham (AWOL Worx), Holly Waymark (unknown)
Elite and national teams
Great Britain Cycling Team Senior Academy
Formerly known as Team Breeze, Inspired is the road outfit for British Cycling’s female academy riders, having previously shared its name with British Cycling’s HSBC UK Breeze programme, aiming to get more women riding bikes. Guiding a huge amount of talented riders to worldwide success on both the track and the road, many of their riders have, or are sure to in the future, represent Great Britain at the Olympics on the track, as well as progress onto professional road teams.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 27/09/2019 – Cycling – 2019 UCI Road World Championships – Women’s Junior Road Race – Yorkshire, England – Abi Smith of Great Britain warms up.
New signings to the squad this year include our highly-talented journal contributor Abi Smith, as well as Sophie Lewis and Eluned King. Previous journal contributor Jenny Holl continues with the Academy along with Ella Barnwell, whilst several riders are registered with both the Academy and trade teams: Meg Barker, Jess Roberts and Amelia Sharpe.
In: Eluned King (Liv Cycling Club – Halo Cycles), Sophie Lewis (Team Flamme Rouge P/b Grenade), Abi Smith (Campinense – Velo Performance)
Bianchi Dama, based in the South West, have quickly risen over the last few of seasons to be one of the most successful teams in the UK, boasting some excellent young talent and great climbers. This year they hope to step up to be one of the new tier of British Cycling Elite Development Teams, planning a calendar based around the National Road Series, as well as strong representation in a selection of UCI races in Northern Europe.
Beth Taylor. Photo: Bianchi Dama
Their eight-rider contingent from 2020 stays on with the team for 2021, bringing one further rider on board in Alderney Baker, another young talent with a proven record across both the road and cyclocross. Baker will join as a stagiaire later in the season.
In: Alderney Baker (Loughborough Lightning – TRG, from August as a stagiaire)
Re-signed: Anneleen Bosma, Charlotte Colclough, Emma Cockcroft, Holly McMahon, Jazz Jones, Georgie Panchaud, Tasha Reddy, Bethany Taylor
Founded in 2018 by Ian Watson & Drew Morris, Team LDN was set up to support and enable talented London-based cyclists to race at a national and international level, at some of the largest and most important races the UK has to offer.
2019 Women’s CiCLE Classic – Leicestershire, England – Team LDN on the front as the race passes through Owston. Photo: James York/SWpix.com
The women’s team in particular has been a strong presence on the domestic scene and has been rewarded in 2021 with Brother UK stepping to be title sponsor. The team bring in two new signings, Lucy Lee and Ruth Shier, whilst Olivia Bentley departs to join the Spanish UCI team Vib Sports Natural Greatness.
In: Lucy Lee (Brother UK – On Form), Ruth Shier (Returns from maternity leave)
Brother UK – OnForm presents a mix of experience and youth for 2021. With a link to UCI Continental team CAMS-Tifosi, the team, managed by Mark Botteley, provides a pathway to the next rung of the racing ladder. This is demonstrated by Kate Wootton, who moves up to the CAMS-Tifosi team in 2021.
A number of riders re-join for 2021, with Sian Botteley, Imogen Chastell and Holly Hoy all returning to the team. Our journal contributor Chrissie Slot also joins the team to experience her first season riding at the national level. The team aims to target a wide range of races from the National Road Series races and the Rás na mBan in Ireland to regional level races allowing their younger and less experienced riders to learn their craft from their teammates.
In: Daisy Barnes (The Racing Chance Foundation), Sian Botteley (Cero – Cycle Division), Abi Cooper (Bourne Wheelers), Leonah Ellis, Holly Hoy (Cero – Cycle Division), Laura Pittard (Team Vision Innovative Leisure), Chrissie Slot (IRIS Race Team), Becky Storrie (Watts Up Performance), Maddy Verdegaal (Poole Wheelers)
Re-signed: Maire Claffrey, Imani Pereira-James, Rebecca Richardson
Departed: Josie Griffin (Unknown), Lucy Lee (Brother UK – LDN), Kate Wootton (CAMS-Tifosi)
Crimson Orientation Marketing’s women’s team hasn’t formally been announced for 2021, although we understand the majority of the 2020 squad will re-sign for next and will be joined by some fresh faces. The team will be revealed in March.
Photo: Joe Cotterill
In: Lucy Ellmore (Otley CC), Mary Wilkinson (Jadan – Vive le Velo)
Re-signed: Sophie Earl, Melissa Greaves, Gwenno Hughes, Jo Ryding, Sammie Stuart
Headed up by women’s racing advocate Victoria Hood, the Jadan team over the last few seasons have created a great pathway for younger riders stepping into the senior ranks. Lead by the experienced Sophie Lankford, the team plan to ride the National Road Series, Tour Series, Rás na mBan and selected UCI races abroad. The team is sponsored by Hull companies Jadan Printing and Vive le Velo bike shop.
Women’s Tour of Scotland 2019 – Stage 2 Glasgow to Perth – Jadan Weldtite cycling team. Photo: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
In: Polly Burge (Tofauti Everyone Active), Maddie Gammons (Team Boompods), Charlotte Williams (University of Bath CC)
Re-signed: Charlotte Dalton, Beth Harley-Jepson, Sophie Lankford, Hermione Pickering, Emily Tillett
Departed: Olivia Bent (AWOL O’Shea), Sophie Enever (Lviv Cycling), Kinga Ingram (Storey Racing), Charlotte Mitchell (Unknown), Gemma Sargent (Saint Piran), Corinne Side and Poppy Thompson (both Pro Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen), Christina Wiejak (Saint Piran), Mary Wilkinson (Crimson Orientation Marketing)
Loughborough Lightning is one of three new elite women’s teams for 2021 (the other two being Pro Noctis-Redchilli Bikes-Heidi Kjeldsen and Saint Piran). A franchise of Loughborough University, and with support from The Recruitment Group, the team plan to compete at the top UK domestic level, racing the National Road Series, the National Circuit Series and the Tour Series in 2021. UCI road racing could also be on the cards.
The six-rider squad will benefit from backroom support from the University, including support from experts in coaching, strength and conditioning, nutrition, performance lifestyle, physiology, physiotherapy, and performance analysis in bike fitting and training science.
In: Alderney Baker (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.Com), Frankie Hall (Team Boompods), Flora Knight (Team 22), Hannah Lancaster (Brother UK – On Form), Meg Smith (Unknown), Chloe Vickers (JRC-Shutt-Ridley Race Team)
Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen is an exciting new team headed up by Rick Lister (formerly of Campinese Velo Performance), who brings a wealth of experience in running successful women’s teams to this Lincoln-based outfit.
Despite a small squad of six riders, half of which have transferred with Rick from Campinese, the team is sure to have a big impact on the domestic scene. With Rick having astutely managed teams previously, he’s likely to get the best out of this group of riders and improve on their previous fine results, including 3rd place at the 2019 Curlew Cup from the team’s sprinter – and journal contributor – Charliiy Berry.
In: Samantha Fawcett (Cero – Cycle Division), Amy Gornall (Campinense-VeloPerformance), Poppy Thompson (Jadan Cyclespace – Vive le Velo), Millie Skinner (Southdown Velo), Corinne Side (Jadan Cyclespace – Vive le Velo), Charlotte Berry (Campinense-VeloPerformance), Jo Tindlay (CAMS-Basso Bikes)*, Jenny Powell**
*Jo Tindlay joined the team from CAMS-Basso Bikes from 31 May.
**Jenny Powell joined the team on 12 July from CAMS-Basso Bikes.
A familiar name to the British scene, but new to the women’s side of the sport, Saint Piran presents a new team for 2021. The Cornish-based team will be working with the same partners that sponsor the current men’s team, who will be stepping up the UCI Continental level for 2021. Led by Jenny Bolsom, who will be rider and manager, the team will be targeting the National Road Series and the Tour Series.
In: Lucia Bruton (Datalynx-Paranesis), Gemma Sargent (Jadan Cyclespace – Vive le Velo), Bexy Dew (Army Cycling), Jenny Bolsom (Independent), Evie Lane (Complete Cycle Works), Laura Senior (MB Cyclery), Christina Wiejak (Jadan – Vive le Velo)
Spectra Wiggle powered by Vitus is a new UK-based multidisciplinary cycling team, run by Bruce Dalton.
The team has big ambitions, aiming to hold UCI licenses for all major cycling disciplines – road, MTB and cyclocross – by 2024. The ‘gender-balanced’ lineup of six male and six female riders will compete across many different cycling disciplines and will look to tackle records and challenges outside the usual racing sphere.
Riders include ex-Vitus Pro Cycling riders Christopher McGlinchey and Mikey Mottram, as well as UCI cyclocross race winner Amira Mellor. The team will become registered as a UCI cyclocross team from September.
On the road, the team’s race programme will include the Tour Series. They will also compete in national and international MTB and cyclocross races, alongside a programme of more unusual events and challenges.
In: Xan Crees (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.Com), Beth Crumpton (Independent), Hannah Larbiester (Team Boompods), Amira Mellor (Albion Cycling Co), Hannah Payton (Independent), Abbie Taylor (Sheffield Dirt Society)
Storey Racing, headed up by multiple Paralympic champion Sarah Storey, proved an incredibly successful springboard in 2019 for young up and coming talent. Elynor Bäckstedt left Storey for UCI WorldTeam outfit Trek Segafredo in 2020, while her younger sister Zoe remained with the team and won more or less every race she entered, prior to stepping into the elite ranks for the current cyclocross season with Tormans – Acrog at just 16 years of age.
Storey Racing is an 11 rider team for 2021, with riders from Youth A age to senior, and riders targeting paracycling events. New signings include Cat Ferguson, a rider who has been taking the cyclocross scene by storm.
2019 UCI Road World Championships – Yorkshire, England – Para-Cycling International – Dame Sarah Storey of Great Britain crosses the finish line in Harrogate. Photo: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Team Boompods are a team run solely by women, based in the North East but with riders from all over the country. Many of their riders juggle university studies with their racing careers, with great success in the past with many of their riders representing their universities on the track scene. Many of their riders kept very active during the pandemic hit 2020 season, with podiums across time trials and hill climbs. Gaby Homer leaves the team for 2021 to progress to Belgian-Irish registered UCI team Team Rupelcleaning, and Maddie Gammons joins Jadan – Vive le Velo but as it stands, the remainder of the 2020 roster remains with the team for the upcoming season.
In: Georgia Hilleard (Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnForm)
Torelli have been seen far and wide in recent years. Headed up by Tony Orrell, a stalwart figure of the women’s cycling scene who has taken dozens of riders over to the continent to gain experience on the UCI scene.
The team will ride a European-based race programme in 2021 – Covid-allowing – consisting mainly of UCI races and will also ride the bigger races in the UK and Ireland. The team is planning to ride the Belgian Lotto Cycling Cup, the Tour of Thailand and the Tour of Malaysia. It also has invites for races in France, Spain, Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. The team also hope to race the Ras na mBan race in Ireland. The junior riders will compete in the Junior Nations Cup races as well as the British National Junior Series. The team also expect to ride the Tour Series.
2019 Women’s Tour of Scotland 2019 Stage 3 Edinburgh to Edinburgh Holyrood Park – Torelli Assure Madison. Photo: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
VeloPerformance Race team continues in 2021. After a successful third place overall in the 2019 National Road Series, several of their riders progressed to UCI teams, including Lizzy Bennett to Drops. With Portuguese origin, the team has a strong international flavour.
The 2021 squad is made of nine women, including four Irish riders (Kelly, O’Donnell, Smith and Tutty), three Portuguese (Libano, Queiros and Silva), a Brit (Hart) and a Channel Islander (Thomas).
2019 OVO Energy Tour Series – Round 5: Birkenhead – Jo Tindley of Campinense Velo Performance. Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
In: Louise Hart (Ciara Kelly (Unknown), Mariana Libano (Unknown), Raquel Queiros (Unknown), Emma Smith (Unknown), Elia Tutty (Unknown),
Re-signed: Louise Hart, Lucy O’Donnell, Flo Thomas, Soraia Silva
Departures: Charlotte Berry (Pro Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen), Emma Edwards (CAMS – Tifosi), Amy Gornall (Pro Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen), Abi Smith (GB Cycling Team Senior Academy)
An overview of what we know so far about women’s domestic road race teams and how they are shaping up for 2021. A similar overview for men’s domestic teams can be found here.
For international and UCI transfers and contract renewals, read our ‘2021 domestic transfers & renewals – women‘ page.
This is a ‘live’ post that will be updated as team news emerges.
Latest update: 2 August 2021
Featured photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. 2019 HSBC UK National Road Championships, Women’s Road Race – Norwich, Norfolk, England.
Continental teams
On the men’s side of the sport, there are three tiers of UCI teams: UCI WorldTeams, UCI ProTeams and UCI Continental teams. The women’s side skips the middle tier, instead having Women’s WorldTeams and UCI Women’s Continental teams.
Last year, two British teams were registered at UCI Women’s Continental level: CAMS – Tifosi (the 2020 incarnation of the all-conquering Brother UK – Tifosi of 2019), and Drops. These teams continue in 2021, joined by UCI Continental newcomers AWOL-O’Shea.
Drops-Le Col p/b Tempur
Drops will begin their sixth year at UCI level in 2021 with all of their 2020 squad, as well as three new exciting signings.
18-year-old Alice Towers joins the team to ride her first season at senior level, having made a brief stagiaire appearance with Spanish team Eneicat-RBH Global last year year. Meanwhile, accomplished road and track rider Maike van der Duin joins from the Biehler Krush Pro Cycling squad. Van der Duin sprinted to a silver medal at the European U23 Track Championships in Fiorenzuola D’Arda, Italy earlier this year. Last, but certainly not least, Dani Christmas joins from Lotto Soudal Ladies. The 33-year-old – who won the first edition of the Tour de Belle Isle en Terre – Kreiz Breizh Elites Dames (UCI 1.2) in 2018 – will add both experience and firepower to the squad.
Drops also bring in new sponsorship. Current partner, British performance clothing brand Le Col, step up their support as title sponsor, and are doubling down their investment having spent the past two years with the team developing some of the most eye-catching women’s kit in the pro peloton. Meanwhile, premium mattress and pillow brand, TEMPUR, joins as a new sponsor.
In: Dani Christmas (Lotto Soudal Ladies), Alice Towers (Cero – Cycle Division RT), Maike van der Duin (Biehler Krush Pro Cycling)
Re-signed: Elizabeth Bennett, Anna Christian, Joscelin Lowden, Maria Martins, Emily Meakin, Emilie Moberg, Elise Marie Olsen, Sara Penton, Finja Smekal, April Tacey, Marjolein Van’t Geloof
CAMS – Basso Bikes
By far the most successful outfit on the domestic scene in 2019 was Brother – Tifosi, wrapping up the Tour Series overall win in convincing fashion as well as claiming victory in half of the National Road Series events, the National Circuit Championships and frequently peppering the top 10 of just about any race they entered. This success yielded the reward of stepping up to UCI level for 2020, with the backing of CAMS under a three-year deal, providing the team with security throughout the pandemic. They also signed a new bike partner deal in April this year, meaning their name has evolved from CAMS – Tifosi to CAMS – Basso Bikes.
The team bring in three new riders for 2021, including time trial specialist Hayley Simmonds, Kate Wootton from development team Brother UK – OnForm and Emma Edwards. Meanwhile, Grace Garner and Charmaine Porter have both retired.
Sophie Thackray, 8th in the Women’s CiCLE Classic this year, joined as a stagiaire on 2 August.
In: Kate Wootton (Brother UK – OnForm), Hayley Simmonds (Ciclotel), Emma Edwards (Campinese – Velo Performance), Sophie Thackray***
Re-signed: Megan Barker, Rebecca Durrell,
Jo Tindley*, Illi Gardner, Natalie Grinczer, Megan Barker, Clover Murray, Jessica Finney, Katie Scott, Gaby Shaw,Jennifer Powell***Departed: Grace Garner (retired), Charmaine Porter (retired)
*Jo Tindley joined Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen on 31 May.
** Jenny Powell joined Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen on 12 July
***Sophie Thackray, 8th in the Women’s CiCLE Classic this year, joined as a stagiaire on 2 August.
AWOL – O’Shea
Run by Pat Hayes, the AWOL set-up has created a new UCI Continental this year, replete with new co-sponsor O’Shea, that will run alongside the existing elite team, AWOL Worx (see below), which will effectively work as a development squad. With two new members of staff on board, both female riders with a wealth of experience on the continent (Megan Chard and Isla Rush), the team will no doubt have excellent representation across national events and UCI races, with a young squad made up of primarily under 23 riders.
Describing themselves as an ‘amateur team with elite ambitions’, the team has said it wanted to make the step up to ‘create a healthy, supportive environment for young women to realise their potential on the international stage’. The team hopes UCI status will afford it greater opportunity and greater freedom in race calendar selections.
The team moves six riders across from the AWOL Worx squad, including our 2021 journal contributor Charlotte Broughton. They are joined by seven new riders.
In: Hannah Bayes (AWOL Worx), Olivia Bent (Jadan – Vive le Velo), Charlotte Broughton (AWOL Worx), Autumn Collins (Weston Homes-Torelli-Assure), Amy Cundy (unknown), Alana Forster (StepFWD IT Suzuki), Hannah Graveney (AWOL Worx), Connie Hayes (AWOL Worx), Phoebe Martin (Cero – Cycle Division Racing Team), Elizabeth Marvelly (AWOL Worx), Caitlin Peters (Weston Homes-Torelli-Assure), Louise Scupham (AWOL Worx), Holly Waymark (unknown)
Elite and national teams
Great Britain Cycling Team Senior Academy
Formerly known as Team Breeze, Inspired is the road outfit for British Cycling’s female academy riders, having previously shared its name with British Cycling’s HSBC UK Breeze programme, aiming to get more women riding bikes. Guiding a huge amount of talented riders to worldwide success on both the track and the road, many of their riders have, or are sure to in the future, represent Great Britain at the Olympics on the track, as well as progress onto professional road teams.
New signings to the squad this year include our highly-talented journal contributor Abi Smith, as well as Sophie Lewis and Eluned King. Previous journal contributor Jenny Holl continues with the Academy along with Ella Barnwell, whilst several riders are registered with both the Academy and trade teams: Meg Barker, Jess Roberts and Amelia Sharpe.
In: Eluned King (Liv Cycling Club – Halo Cycles), Sophie Lewis (Team Flamme Rouge P/b Grenade), Abi Smith (Campinense – Velo Performance)
Re-signed: Ella Barnwell, Jenny Holl
On the Academy but also riding for trade teams in 2021: Megan Barker (CAMS-Tifosi), Jess Roberts (Mitchelton-Scott), Amelia Sharpe (NXTG Racing)
Departing: Anna Docherty (Isorex No-Aqua), Anna Shackley (SD Worx)
AWOL Worx
Pat Hayes’ development team continues, closely linked to the new UCI Continental team AWOL O’Shea (see above).
Re-signed: Emily Ashwood, Emily Bridson, Zoe Brookes, Savannah Hewson, Cecilia Hime, Rosie Wallace, Lydia Watts
Departing: Hannah Bayes (AWOL O’Shea), (AWOL O’Shea), Hannah Graveney (AWOL O’Shea), Connie Hayes (AWOL O’Shea), Victoria Lovett (I-Team Cyclists’ Club), Elizabeth Marvelly (AWOL O’Shea), Louise Scupham (AWOL O’Shea)
Bianchi Dama
Bianchi Dama, based in the South West, have quickly risen over the last few of seasons to be one of the most successful teams in the UK, boasting some excellent young talent and great climbers. This year they hope to step up to be one of the new tier of British Cycling Elite Development Teams, planning a calendar based around the National Road Series, as well as strong representation in a selection of UCI races in Northern Europe.
Their eight-rider contingent from 2020 stays on with the team for 2021, bringing one further rider on board in Alderney Baker, another young talent with a proven record across both the road and cyclocross. Baker will join as a stagiaire later in the season.
In: Alderney Baker (Loughborough Lightning – TRG, from August as a stagiaire)
Re-signed: Anneleen Bosma, Charlotte Colclough, Emma Cockcroft, Holly McMahon, Jazz Jones, Georgie Panchaud, Tasha Reddy, Bethany Taylor
Brother UK – LDN
Founded in 2018 by Ian Watson & Drew Morris, Team LDN was set up to support and enable talented London-based cyclists to race at a national and international level, at some of the largest and most important races the UK has to offer.
The women’s team in particular has been a strong presence on the domestic scene and has been rewarded in 2021 with Brother UK stepping to be title sponsor. The team bring in two new signings, Lucy Lee and Ruth Shier, whilst Olivia Bentley departs to join the Spanish UCI team Vib Sports Natural Greatness.
In: Lucy Lee (Brother UK – On Form), Ruth Shier (Returns from maternity leave)
Re-signed: Francesca Cutts, Harriet Dodd, Lauren Higham, Ione Johnson, Amy Marks, Kerry Middleton, Danni Shrosbree
Departed: Olivia Bentley (Vib Sports Natural Greatness), Liz Hughes (Team Watto-LDN), Molly Patch (Unknown)
Brother UK – On Form
Brother UK – OnForm presents a mix of experience and youth for 2021. With a link to UCI Continental team CAMS-Tifosi, the team, managed by Mark Botteley, provides a pathway to the next rung of the racing ladder. This is demonstrated by Kate Wootton, who moves up to the CAMS-Tifosi team in 2021.
A number of riders re-join for 2021, with Sian Botteley, Imogen Chastell and Holly Hoy all returning to the team. Our journal contributor Chrissie Slot also joins the team to experience her first season riding at the national level. The team aims to target a wide range of races from the National Road Series races and the Rás na mBan in Ireland to regional level races allowing their younger and less experienced riders to learn their craft from their teammates.
In: Daisy Barnes (The Racing Chance Foundation), Sian Botteley (Cero – Cycle Division), Abi Cooper (Bourne Wheelers), Leonah Ellis, Holly Hoy (Cero – Cycle Division), Laura Pittard (Team Vision Innovative Leisure), Chrissie Slot (IRIS Race Team), Becky Storrie (Watts Up Performance), Maddy Verdegaal (Poole Wheelers)
Re-signed: Maire Claffrey, Imani Pereira-James, Rebecca Richardson
Departed: Josie Griffin (Unknown), Lucy Lee (Brother UK – LDN), Kate Wootton (CAMS-Tifosi)
Crimson Orientation Marketing
Crimson Orientation Marketing’s women’s team hasn’t formally been announced for 2021, although we understand the majority of the 2020 squad will re-sign for next and will be joined by some fresh faces. The team will be revealed in March.
In: Lucy Ellmore (Otley CC), Mary Wilkinson (Jadan – Vive le Velo)
Re-signed: Sophie Earl, Melissa Greaves, Gwenno Hughes, Jo Ryding, Sammie Stuart
Departed: Laura Tissiman (Clifton CC)
Jadan – Vive le Velo
Headed up by women’s racing advocate Victoria Hood, the Jadan team over the last few seasons have created a great pathway for younger riders stepping into the senior ranks. Lead by the experienced Sophie Lankford, the team plan to ride the National Road Series, Tour Series, Rás na mBan and selected UCI races abroad. The team is sponsored by Hull companies Jadan Printing and Vive le Velo bike shop.
In: Polly Burge (Tofauti Everyone Active), Maddie Gammons (Team Boompods), Charlotte Williams (University of Bath CC)
Re-signed: Charlotte Dalton, Beth Harley-Jepson, Sophie Lankford, Hermione Pickering, Emily Tillett
Departed: Olivia Bent (AWOL O’Shea), Sophie Enever (Lviv Cycling), Kinga Ingram (Storey Racing), Charlotte Mitchell (Unknown), Gemma Sargent (Saint Piran), Corinne Side and Poppy Thompson (both Pro Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen), Christina Wiejak (Saint Piran), Mary Wilkinson (Crimson Orientation Marketing)
Loughborough Lightning Cycling – TRG
Loughborough Lightning is one of three new elite women’s teams for 2021 (the other two being Pro Noctis-Redchilli Bikes-Heidi Kjeldsen and Saint Piran). A franchise of Loughborough University, and with support from The Recruitment Group, the team plan to compete at the top UK domestic level, racing the National Road Series, the National Circuit Series and the Tour Series in 2021. UCI road racing could also be on the cards.
The six-rider squad will benefit from backroom support from the University, including support from experts in coaching, strength and conditioning, nutrition, performance lifestyle, physiology, physiotherapy, and performance analysis in bike fitting and training science.
In: Alderney Baker (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.Com), Frankie Hall (Team Boompods), Flora Knight (Team 22), Hannah Lancaster (Brother UK – On Form), Meg Smith (Unknown), Chloe Vickers (JRC-Shutt-Ridley Race Team)
Pro Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen
Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen is an exciting new team headed up by Rick Lister (formerly of Campinese Velo Performance), who brings a wealth of experience in running successful women’s teams to this Lincoln-based outfit.
Despite a small squad of six riders, half of which have transferred with Rick from Campinese, the team is sure to have a big impact on the domestic scene. With Rick having astutely managed teams previously, he’s likely to get the best out of this group of riders and improve on their previous fine results, including 3rd place at the 2019 Curlew Cup from the team’s sprinter – and journal contributor – Charliiy Berry.
In: Samantha Fawcett (Cero – Cycle Division), Amy Gornall (Campinense-VeloPerformance), Poppy Thompson (Jadan Cyclespace – Vive le Velo), Millie Skinner (Southdown Velo), Corinne Side (Jadan Cyclespace – Vive le Velo), Charlotte Berry (Campinense-VeloPerformance), Jo Tindlay (CAMS-Basso Bikes)*, Jenny Powell**
*Jo Tindlay joined the team from CAMS-Basso Bikes from 31 May.
**Jenny Powell joined the team on 12 July from CAMS-Basso Bikes.
Saint Piran
A familiar name to the British scene, but new to the women’s side of the sport, Saint Piran presents a new team for 2021. The Cornish-based team will be working with the same partners that sponsor the current men’s team, who will be stepping up the UCI Continental level for 2021. Led by Jenny Bolsom, who will be rider and manager, the team will be targeting the National Road Series and the Tour Series.
In: Lucia Bruton (Datalynx-Paranesis), Gemma Sargent (Jadan Cyclespace – Vive le Velo), Bexy Dew (Army Cycling), Jenny Bolsom (Independent), Evie Lane (Complete Cycle Works), Laura Senior (MB Cyclery), Christina Wiejak (Jadan – Vive le Velo)
Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus
Spectra Wiggle powered by Vitus is a new UK-based multidisciplinary cycling team, run by Bruce Dalton.
The team has big ambitions, aiming to hold UCI licenses for all major cycling disciplines – road, MTB and cyclocross – by 2024. The ‘gender-balanced’ lineup of six male and six female riders will compete across many different cycling disciplines and will look to tackle records and challenges outside the usual racing sphere.
Riders include ex-Vitus Pro Cycling riders Christopher McGlinchey and Mikey Mottram, as well as UCI cyclocross race winner Amira Mellor. The team will become registered as a UCI cyclocross team from September.
On the road, the team’s race programme will include the Tour Series. They will also compete in national and international MTB and cyclocross races, alongside a programme of more unusual events and challenges.
In: Xan Crees (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.Com), Beth Crumpton (Independent), Hannah Larbiester (Team Boompods), Amira Mellor (Albion Cycling Co), Hannah Payton (Independent), Abbie Taylor (Sheffield Dirt Society)
Storey Racing
Storey Racing, headed up by multiple Paralympic champion Sarah Storey, proved an incredibly successful springboard in 2019 for young up and coming talent. Elynor Bäckstedt left Storey for UCI WorldTeam outfit Trek Segafredo in 2020, while her younger sister Zoe remained with the team and won more or less every race she entered, prior to stepping into the elite ranks for the current cyclocross season with Tormans – Acrog at just 16 years of age.
Storey Racing is an 11 rider team for 2021, with riders from Youth A age to senior, and riders targeting paracycling events. New signings include Cat Ferguson, a rider who has been taking the cyclocross scene by storm.
In: Erin Avill (Jr, RFDA), Cat Ferguson (Youth, Shibden Cycling Club), Kinga Ingram (Jadan – Vive le Velo), Beth Morrow (Edinburgh Road Club)
Re-signed: Lucy Gadd, Corrine Hall, Chanel Mason, Charlotte Parnham, Dame Sarah Storey, Katie Toft
Departures: Monica Dew (Retired), Kelly Murphy (Team Rupelcleaning-Champion Lubricants)
Team Boompods
Team Boompods are a team run solely by women, based in the North East but with riders from all over the country. Many of their riders juggle university studies with their racing careers, with great success in the past with many of their riders representing their universities on the track scene. Many of their riders kept very active during the pandemic hit 2020 season, with podiums across time trials and hill climbs. Gaby Homer leaves the team for 2021 to progress to Belgian-Irish registered UCI team Team Rupelcleaning, and Maddie Gammons joins Jadan – Vive le Velo but as it stands, the remainder of the 2020 roster remains with the team for the upcoming season.
In: Georgia Hilleard (Brother U.K – Cycle Team OnForm)
Re-signed: Isabel Darvill, Hannah Farran, Amy Graham, Jenn Batey Haug, Jenny Holden, Lauren Humphreys, Ellen McDermott, Nikki Metcalfe, Lauren Watson
Departed: Maddie Gammons (Jadan – Vive le Velo), Frankie Hall (Loughborough Lightning – TRG), Gaby Homer (Team Rupelcleaning), Hannah Larbalestier (Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus))
Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands-Scimitar
Torelli have been seen far and wide in recent years. Headed up by Tony Orrell, a stalwart figure of the women’s cycling scene who has taken dozens of riders over to the continent to gain experience on the UCI scene.
The team will ride a European-based race programme in 2021 – Covid-allowing – consisting mainly of UCI races and will also ride the bigger races in the UK and Ireland. The team is planning to ride the Belgian Lotto Cycling Cup, the Tour of Thailand and the Tour of Malaysia. It also has invites for races in France, Spain, Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. The team also hope to race the Ras na mBan race in Ireland. The junior riders will compete in the Junior Nations Cup races as well as the British National Junior Series. The team also expect to ride the Tour Series.
In: Jennifer Bates (Unknown), Amalie Winther Olsen (Unknown), Aoife O`Brien (Jr rider, Lakeside Wheelers), Elné Owen (Sopela Women’s Team), Fiona Schroeder (Unknown), Charlotte Sheridan (JRC-Shutt-Ridley Race Team), Fatemha Yousefi (Unknown)
Re-signed: Nicole Coates, Izzy Ellis, Amelia Harper, Emily Kay, Roisin Lally, Alice Lethbridge, Laura Massey, Caoimhe O’Brien
Departures: Ellen Barker (Unknown), Lydia Boylan (Irish national squad), Holly Breck (Rally Cycling), Georgia Bullard (Vib Sports Natural Greatness), Autumn Collins (AWOL O’Shea), Jayati Hine (Unknow), Caitlin Peters (AWOL O’Shea), Dierbhle Ivory (Unknown), Elise Maes (Retired)
VeloPerformance Race Team
VeloPerformance Race team continues in 2021. After a successful third place overall in the 2019 National Road Series, several of their riders progressed to UCI teams, including Lizzy Bennett to Drops. With Portuguese origin, the team has a strong international flavour.
The 2021 squad is made of nine women, including four Irish riders (Kelly, O’Donnell, Smith and Tutty), three Portuguese (Libano, Queiros and Silva), a Brit (Hart) and a Channel Islander (Thomas).
In: Louise Hart (Ciara Kelly (Unknown), Mariana Libano (Unknown), Raquel Queiros (Unknown), Emma Smith (Unknown), Elia Tutty (Unknown),
Re-signed: Louise Hart, Lucy O’Donnell, Flo Thomas, Soraia Silva
Departures: Charlotte Berry (Pro Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen), Emma Edwards (CAMS – Tifosi), Amy Gornall (Pro Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen), Abi Smith (GB Cycling Team Senior Academy)
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