An overview of what we know so far about how the women’s domestic road race teams are shaping up for 2024. A similar overview for men’s domestic teams can be found here.
This is a ‘live’ post, so expect frequent updates, especially as we get the post up and running – this is very much a work in progress, so check back in regularly to see all the latest.
Featured photo: Ian Wrightson x The British Continental
UCI Continental teams
There will be six domestic women’s teams in 2024. Lifeplus-Wahoo and AWOL O’Shea – now called Doltcini-O’Shea – were both UCI Continental squads in 2023, and will continue at that level next season. In a surprise move, Britain’s other previous UCI Continental Team, DAS-Handsling, merges with one of last season’s most successful elite squads, Hutchinson-Brother UK, to form DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK. Elite teams Alba Road Development Team and Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees (now Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) both step up to UCI Continental. Furthermore, the ambitious Hess Cycling Team has switched to a British UCI Continental licence, swelling the number of UK UCI teams even further.
Bob Lyons’ athlete-centric, Scottish-focused development outfit has a grand five-year plan to create a two-tier team structure: a fully salaried UCI Continental Team, with a development team sitting underneath.
For now, the team is planning to step up to UCI Continental level, two years after being established, to help support its plans for an expanded European race programme, as Lyons explains here.
The team has signed four new riders for 2024 including DAS-Handsling pair Emma Matthews and Beth Morrow, as well as keeping on young US talent Keira Bond, who rode for the team as a stagiaire last season.
2023 National Circuit Series, Road – The Dudley Grand Prix, Women’s National Circuit Series – Alba Road Team. Image: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the off-season is the merger of two of Britain’s most successful domestic women’s teams: DAS-Handsling and Hutchinson-Brother UK. Hutchinson-Brother UK team manager Ian Watson, and DAS Handsling team management, Andrew Paine and Simon Howes, will all oversee the new entity, with the aim of creating a more European-centric race programme.
DAS-Handsling, already a UCI Continental squad, was the most successful team in domestic competitions in 2023. The Hutchinson-Brother UK team had its best season yet in 2023 and was set to make the step up to UCI Continental level itself for 2024, so it was a surprise when the two teams announced a merger.
Many of DAS-Handsling’s top riders have left the team including National Road Series champion Monica Greenwood, hot prospects Emma Jeffers and Grace Lister, as well as talented gravel specialist Danni Shrosbree. Hutchinson-Brother UK had a very large squad in 2023, meaning many of their riders will also be heading to new teams in 2023.
Eight new signings have been announced at the time of writing, including three Irish riders: two-time Irish national road race champion Alice Sharpe joins from Israel-Premier Tech Roland, as does sprinter Mia Griffin, and they are joined by fellow Irish rider Caoimhe O’Brien. Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Robyn Clay, youngster Morven Yeoman, former rower Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne, Norwegian Nora Tveit and Aussie Darcie Richards also join. Meanwhile, DAS-Handsling riders Frankie Hall, Sophie Lewis, Sophie Thackray and Lucy Lee remain with the squad, as do Hutchinson-Brother UK’s Sian Botteley, Tiffany Keep, Tammy Miller, Ruth Shier and Sannah Zaman. A new team appears set to emerge from the former Hutchinson-Brother UK set-up.
Run by Pat Hayes and Olly Moors, the Doltcini-O’Shea outfit began in 2021. Previously called AWOL O’Shea, the team has steadily grown its international race programme and in 2023 had the most expansive UCI race programme of any British team bar Lifeplus-Wahoo.
The team has an increasingly international outlook for 2024. French rider Cindy Pomares has been re-signed, New signings include Niamh Murphy and Matilda McKibben from the junior ranks, as well as international riders S’Annara Grove, Camille Devigne, Nofar Maoz, Adar Shriki and Elina Tasane.
2023 Women’s CiCLE Classic winner Jess Finney, Connie Hayes and Hayley Simmonds are among those that continue with the squad, while Broughton has not been retained.
National Road Series – Women’s CiCLE Classic 2023 – Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England – Jessica Finney leads the sprint to win. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Tom Varney’s Lifeplus-Wahoo team will begin its ninth year in 2024, an incredible run during which time it has established itself as the premier British team.
The team rides almost exclusively at UCI level, with appearances at the first two editions of the Tour de France Femmes a recent highlight of the squad’s programme. So expect the team to have another high-level race calendar once again in 2024.
Two of the class of 2023 – Ella Wyllie and Margaux Vigie – step up to the WorldTour, while April Tacey moves to Team Coop-Hitec Products.
It’s a young squad. The nine riders announced so far give the 2024 team an average age of 22.8 so far. Two of the team’s new signings – Kristýna Burlová and Ella Jamieson and have two-year contracts – a positive sign of the team’s stability after going through a couple of seasons of sponsorship challenges. We’ve even heard word that a move up to ProConti level is a possibility for 2025.
Image: Lifeplus-Wahoo
In: Kristýna Burlová (until 2025, Lotto DSTNY), Heidi Franz (DNA Pro Cycling), Alicia Gonzalez (Movistar), Ella Jamieson (until 2025, Liv-Halo)
Rick Lister’s Finish Line Racing project is another elite team planning to make the jump to UCI Continental level in 2024. The squad has gone from strength-to-strength in its three-year existence, bagging big wins (Jo Tindley’s national circuit race championship victory in 2021 was a big coup) and establishing itself as one of the leading elite teams in the UK.
Next season the squad steps up to UCI Continental and has made some eye-catching signings to support the move. Lizi Brooke was one of the breakthrough domestic road riders this year and joins from Wahoo-Le Col, while Canadian Jessy Carveth adds international race experience. The squad retains much of its 2023 riders, although Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Robyn Clay is set for a move elsewhere.
Jo Tindley. Image: Ian Wrightson x The British Continental
Run by Mark Botteley, Brother UK–Team OnForm is a development team that blends junior riders with senior-level talents, providing a pathway to the next rung of the racing ladder.
Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
In: Phoebe Barker, Niamh Boulding (Shibden Cycling Club), Rebecca Carter (Junior, Palmer Park Velo RT), Emily Day (Junior, Bourne Whls CC), Madeleine Gammons (Loughborough Lightning), Rosie Simmons (Southampton University Road Club), Stella Smith (Junior), Amelia Staunton (Junior, Sprockets Cycle Club), Grace Ward (Junior, 365 Shutt Ridley)
Loughborough Lightning was established in 2021. A franchise of Loughborough University, the team competes at the top UK domestic level, racing the National Road Series and the National Circuit Series, as well as selected UCI road races.
The squad benefits 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.
The Cornish-based Saint Piran women’s race team has confirmed seven departures, including former Great Britain rider Ella Barnwell and Danni Khan, who had a successful winter on the track.
Hannah Bayes stays with the team, while Katie-Anne Calton and Elizabeth McKinnon both move up from the junior ranks to join the team.
2023 National Circuit Series, Road – The Dudley Grand Prix, Women’s National Circuit Series – Saint Piran WRT. Image: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
New signings include Elizabeth Hermolle, who finished an impressive 16th in her debut National Road Series race at the Curlew Cup, and Megan Walker from Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting. 2022 Lancaster Grand Prix winner Mary Wilkinson leaves the team for Loughborough Lightning.
FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing goes into its second season in 2024 and aims to build on a year of learning in 2023. The team’s manager Billy Oliver, will be supported by riders Viv Tomlin and Lillie Sanders next season as the team aims to support its riders in races both at home and abroad. The team describes itself as a rider-first squad that provides a ‘no pressure’ environment for its athletes.
Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
In: Caitlin Dimbleby (Le Col RT), Harriet Evans (Brother UK-Orientation Marketing), Vanessa Fursden (Wahoo-Le Col), Bekki Gowan, Rebecca Hair (LAKA Pedal Mafia RT), Lousie Hart (Royal Dean Forest CC), Jennifer Hudson (Bristol RC), Mathilde Pauls (LAKA Pedal Mafia RT)
Headed up by women’s racing advocate Victoria Hood, the Jadan team has created a valuable pathway for younger riders stepping into the senior ranks over its ten year history. Expect the team to ride the National Road Series and selected races abroad in 2024. The team is sponsored by Hull companies Jadan Printing and Vive le Velo bike shop.
2023 National Road Series – Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix presented by Wattbike. Kirstie Drakeford of Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon. Image: Oliver Brookwell/SWpix.com
Managed by Sarah King, the London Academy (formerly the LDN Academy) is a mission and values-led race team. Based in London, the team’s ethos is that ‘if you enjoy racing bikes, you’ll keep racing bikes’. The aim of the team is to develop and build confidence in every rider, providing skills sessions, workshops and running a mentoring programme with support from riders who have been there and done it before.
Lucy Neatham wins the 2023 Witham Hall Grand Prix. Image: Huw Williams
In: Grace Bell (junior, VC Londres), Alice Connor (Velociposse), Sasha Dyke (Ful-On Tri Club), Catherine Hadfield (Islington CC), Savannah Morgan (unattached), Iona Mitchell (Brixton CC), Esme Wiley (junior, VC Londres)
A new women’s team in the domestic peloton for 2024. An exciting venture run by David Walters, formerly the Bianchi HUNT Dama team manager, the team will be a development vehicle that aims to provide holistic support for its athletes, with a race programme that incorporates key UK races alongside a European calendar.
The team starts with a compact five-rider squad that includes Danni Khan (11th at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix last season) and Aussie Alisha Wells, a rider who already has Women’s WorldTour experience under her belt.
Danni Khan at the 2023 UCI Track Champions League, Grand Finale: London . Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Rising from the ashes of the Hutchinson-Brother UK team is the aptly named The Phoenix Collective. Compromised of five former Hutchinson-Brother UK riders, including our former journal contributor Charliiy Berry and Lydia Watts (second in the Twickenham CC Dave Peck Memorial British Cup Race last season), the team says it has “a female-centric core” and is going into 2024 with “a fresh look, renewed sense of purpose and, above all, a desire to have fun.”
However, we understand that challenges in pulling together enough funding to realise the team’s 2024 plans led team manager Bryn Griffith to decide to close the team.
Previously called LAKA Pedal Mafia RT, the team has a new headline sponsor for 2024. The team has announced a ‘complete restructure’ for 2024 with Alex Welburn now heading up the women’s road and crit team.
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films is a youth and junior women’s cycle team based in Bristol, run by Peter Georgi. The rider list below encapsulates only the team’s junior riders.
2022 National Junior Road Race Championships – Terrington, Yorkshire, England – Zoe Backstedt Acrog-Tormans and Awen Roberts Liv Cycling Club – Halo and Lowri Richards Backstedt Bike Performance RC. Image: John Clifton/SWpix.com
Out: Ella Jamieson (Lifeplus-Wahoo), Matilda McKibben (Doltcini-O’Shea), Niamh Murphy (Doltcini-O’Shea), Awen Roberts (CANYON/SRAM Generation)
Solas Race Team
Solas Race Team is the first Scottish race team dedicated to junior women. The team has been created “to bridge the gap between youth and senior racing for 16-18 year old Scottish riders”. The team’s mission is “to race bikes, have fun and promote women’s cycling, while supporting a long-term approach to rider development.”
The squad will focus on multiple disciplines throughout the UK and in Europe and has signed eight riders for its debut season.
The Shibden Hope Tech Apex team made a big splash in its first season in 2023. Made up entirely of first-year juniors for its debut year, the team turned heads almost from day one of the season when Cat Ferguson usurped some of the best domestic road racers to win the Capernwray road race in early March, her teammate Imogen Wolff in 5th. The team continued in the same winning vein throughout the year, both at home and abroad.
Super-talent Ferguson will leave for Movistar in 2024 when she joins them as a stagiaire from 1 August, but such is the strength-in-depth of the squad, that shouldn’t stop the team having another standout season.
An overview of what we know so far about how the women’s domestic road race teams are shaping up for 2024. A similar overview for men’s domestic teams can be found here.
This is a ‘live’ post, so expect frequent updates, especially as we get the post up and running – this is very much a work in progress, so check back in regularly to see all the latest.
Latest update: 12.00, 15 March 2024
Featured photo: Ian Wrightson x The British Continental
UCI Continental teams
There will be six domestic women’s teams in 2024. Lifeplus-Wahoo and AWOL O’Shea – now called Doltcini-O’Shea – were both UCI Continental squads in 2023, and will continue at that level next season. In a surprise move, Britain’s other previous UCI Continental Team, DAS-Handsling, merges with one of last season’s most successful elite squads, Hutchinson-Brother UK, to form DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK. Elite teams Alba Road Development Team and Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees (now Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting) both step up to UCI Continental. Furthermore, the ambitious Hess Cycling Team has switched to a British UCI Continental licence, swelling the number of UK UCI teams even further.
Alba Development Road Team
Bob Lyons’ athlete-centric, Scottish-focused development outfit has a grand five-year plan to create a two-tier team structure: a fully salaried UCI Continental Team, with a development team sitting underneath.
For now, the team is planning to step up to UCI Continental level, two years after being established, to help support its plans for an expanded European race programme, as Lyons explains here.
The team has signed four new riders for 2024 including DAS-Handsling pair Emma Matthews and Beth Morrow, as well as keeping on young US talent Keira Bond, who rode for the team as a stagiaire last season.
In: Emma Matthews (DAS-Handsling), Beth Morrow (DAS-Handsling), Abi Plowman (Jadan Vive le Velo), Millie Skinner (Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees)
Re-signed: Daisy Barnes, Kiera Bond, Arianne Holland, Erin Murphy, Eilidh Shaw, Victoria Smith, Amelia Tyler, Evie White
Out: Sophie Enever (Retired), Beth Maciver (Torvelo Racing), Sophie Lankford (University of Nottingham CC)
DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the off-season is the merger of two of Britain’s most successful domestic women’s teams: DAS-Handsling and Hutchinson-Brother UK. Hutchinson-Brother UK team manager Ian Watson, and DAS Handsling team management, Andrew Paine and Simon Howes, will all oversee the new entity, with the aim of creating a more European-centric race programme.
DAS-Handsling, already a UCI Continental squad, was the most successful team in domestic competitions in 2023. The Hutchinson-Brother UK team had its best season yet in 2023 and was set to make the step up to UCI Continental level itself for 2024, so it was a surprise when the two teams announced a merger.
Many of DAS-Handsling’s top riders have left the team including National Road Series champion Monica Greenwood, hot prospects Emma Jeffers and Grace Lister, as well as talented gravel specialist Danni Shrosbree. Hutchinson-Brother UK had a very large squad in 2023, meaning many of their riders will also be heading to new teams in 2023.
Eight new signings have been announced at the time of writing, including three Irish riders: two-time Irish national road race champion Alice Sharpe joins from Israel-Premier Tech Roland, as does sprinter Mia Griffin, and they are joined by fellow Irish rider Caoimhe O’Brien. Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Robyn Clay, youngster Morven Yeoman, former rower Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne, Norwegian Nora Tveit and Aussie Darcie Richards also join. Meanwhile, DAS-Handsling riders Frankie Hall, Sophie Lewis, Sophie Thackray and Lucy Lee remain with the squad, as do Hutchinson-Brother UK’s Sian Botteley, Tiffany Keep, Tammy Miller, Ruth Shier and Sannah Zaman. A new team appears set to emerge from the former Hutchinson-Brother UK set-up.
In: Robyn Clay (Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees), Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (Team Boompods), Mia Griffin (Israel-Premier Tech Roland), Caoimhe O’Brien (Belco/Van Eyck), Darcie Richards (unattached), Alice Sharpe (Israel-Premier Tech Roland), Nora Tveit (Team Coop-Hitech), Vera Vilaça (Team Massic-Tactic), Morven Yeoman (Torelli)
Re-signed (DAS-Handsling): Francesca Hall, Lucy Lee, Sophie Lewis, Sammie Stuart, Sophie Thackray
Re-signed (Hutchinson-Brother UK): Sian Botteley, Tiffany Keep, Tamsin Miller, Ruth Shier, Sannah Zaman
Out (DAS-Handsling): Sara Bonillo (unknown), Monica Greenwood (Team Coop – Hitec Products), Emma Jeffers (Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team), Grace Lister (Hess Cycling Team), Emma Matthews (Alba Development Road Team), Beth Morrow (Alba Development Road Team), Bénédicte Ollier (Retired), Katie Scott (Spectra Racing), Danielle Shrosbree (Felt Un1ted)
Out (Hutchinson-Brother UK): Charlotte Berry (The Phoenix Collective), Jessie Carridge (The Phoenix Collective), Harriet Dodd, Samantha Fawcett (Spectra Racing), Ione Johnson (The Phoenix Collective), Amy Marks, Heather Mayer, Jennifer Millmore, Polly Milsom, Molly Patch (The Phoenix Collective), Katherine Sheridan, Lydia Watts (The Phoenix Collective), Dannielle Watkinson (Jadan Vive le Velo)
Doltcini – O’Shea
Run by Pat Hayes and Olly Moors, the Doltcini-O’Shea outfit began in 2021. Previously called AWOL O’Shea, the team has steadily grown its international race programme and in 2023 had the most expansive UCI race programme of any British team bar Lifeplus-Wahoo.
Top European results included 11th for Jess Finney at the Kreiz Breizh Elites Féminin and 14th for Charlotte Broughton at the EPZ Omloop van Borsele, while at home Jess Finney won a mud-splattered edition of the CiCLE Classic.
The team has an increasingly international outlook for 2024. French rider Cindy Pomares has been re-signed, New signings include Niamh Murphy and Matilda McKibben from the junior ranks, as well as international riders S’Annara Grove, Camille Devigne, Nofar Maoz, Adar Shriki and Elina Tasane.
2023 Women’s CiCLE Classic winner Jess Finney, Connie Hayes and Hayley Simmonds are among those that continue with the squad, while Broughton has not been retained.
In: Isabel Darvill (Spectra Cannondale), Camille Devigne (Team Féminin Hauts-de-France), S’Annara Grove (Torelli), Matilda McKibben (Liv CC-Halo Films), Nofar Maoz (Israel Premier Tech Roland Development), Niamh Murphy (Liv CC-Halo Films), Adar Shriki (Israel Premier Tech Roland Development), Elina Tasane (WCC Team)
Re-signed: Georgia Bullard, Jessica Finney, Tilde Hammarström, Unknown: Harriet Graham, Marine Guerin, Connie Hayes, Megan Panton, Maddie Wadsworth, Kelly Murphy, Cindy Pomares, Hayley Simmonds, Libby Smithson
Out: Charlotte Broughton (DM-Pack Cycling Team), Harriet Graham (unknown), Marine Guerin (unknown), Emily Meakin (unknown), Francesca Morgans-Slader (retired), Megan Panton (unknown), Maddie Wadsworth (unknown)
Hess Cycling Team
The Hess Cycling Team began in 2023 and raced under a Luxembourg licence for its first season.
Owned by the London-based Swiss businessman Rolf Hess, the team plans to switch to become British-registered in 2024 and has ambitions to become the first British Women’s WorldTour team.
The team only had once British rider in 2023, former Bianchi HUNT Morvélo rider Alice McWilliam. However, Hess has declared the team will have a British core in the future and the team has signed talented junior Holly Ramsey, as well as promising under-23 rider Grace Lister. The addition of Majolein van’t Geloof provides firepower for the classics.
In: Sara Casasola (Born To Win G20 Ambedo), Imogen Cotter (Fenix-Deceuninck), Nicole Frain (Parkhotel Valkenburg), Grace Lister (DAS-Handsling), Clara Lundmark (GT Krush Rebel Lease Pro Cycling), Holly Ramsay (Tofauti Everyone Active), Laura Süßemilch (Fenix-Deceuninck), Marjolein Van’t Geloof (Human Powered Health)
Re-signed: Txell Claret Bonmarti, Rotem Gavinovitz, Annika Liehner, Johanna Martini, Alice McWilliam, Liv Wenzel
Out: Layla Barthels (unknown), Maite Barthels (unknown), Charlotte Clarke (unknown), Coline Raby (Team Elles – Groupama – Pays de Loire)
Lifeplus-Wahoo
Tom Varney’s Lifeplus-Wahoo team will begin its ninth year in 2024, an incredible run during which time it has established itself as the premier British team.
The team rides almost exclusively at UCI level, with appearances at the first two editions of the Tour de France Femmes a recent highlight of the squad’s programme. So expect the team to have another high-level race calendar once again in 2024.
Two of the class of 2023 – Ella Wyllie and Margaux Vigie – step up to the WorldTour, while April Tacey moves to Team Coop-Hitec Products.
It’s a young squad. The nine riders announced so far give the 2024 team an average age of 22.8 so far. Two of the team’s new signings – Kristýna Burlová and Ella Jamieson and have two-year contracts – a positive sign of the team’s stability after going through a couple of seasons of sponsorship challenges. We’ve even heard word that a move up to ProConti level is a possibility for 2025.
In: Kristýna Burlová (until 2025, Lotto DSTNY), Heidi Franz (DNA Pro Cycling), Alicia Gonzalez (Movistar), Ella Jamieson (until 2025, Liv-Halo)
Re-signed or contract continuing: Ella Harris, Eluned King, Madelaine Leech, Kate Richardson, Kaja Rysz, Karin Söderqvist, Babette van der Wolf
Out: Natalie Grinczer (Roland), Typhaine Laurance (retired), April Tacey (Team Coop-Hitec Products), Margaux Vigie (Team Jumbo-Visma), Ella Wyllie (Team Jayco AlUla)
Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting
Rick Lister’s Finish Line Racing project is another elite team planning to make the jump to UCI Continental level in 2024. The squad has gone from strength-to-strength in its three-year existence, bagging big wins (Jo Tindley’s national circuit race championship victory in 2021 was a big coup) and establishing itself as one of the leading elite teams in the UK.
Next season the squad steps up to UCI Continental and has made some eye-catching signings to support the move. Lizi Brooke was one of the breakthrough domestic road riders this year and joins from Wahoo-Le Col, while Canadian Jessy Carveth adds international race experience. The squad retains much of its 2023 riders, although Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Robyn Clay is set for a move elsewhere.
In: Lizi Brooke (Wahoo-Le Col), Jessy Carveth (BePink-Gold), Maddie Heywood (FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing), Lowri Richards (Tofauti Everyone Active)
Re-signed: Bexy Dew, Lucy Ellmore, Amy Gornall, Zoe Langham, Annabel Ramsay, Corinne Side, Jo Tindley
Out: Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK), Millie Skinner (Alba Road Development Team), Poppy Thompson (retired), Megan Walker (Team Boompods)
Elite Development Teams
Brother UK-Team OnForm
Run by Mark Botteley, Brother UK–Team OnForm is a development team that blends junior riders with senior-level talents, providing a pathway to the next rung of the racing ladder.
In: Phoebe Barker, Niamh Boulding (Shibden Cycling Club), Rebecca Carter (Junior, Palmer Park Velo RT), Emily Day (Junior, Bourne Whls CC), Madeleine Gammons (Loughborough Lightning), Rosie Simmons (Southampton University Road Club), Stella Smith (Junior), Amelia Staunton (Junior, Sprockets Cycle Club), Grace Ward (Junior, 365 Shutt Ridley)
Re-signed: Ellen Bennett, Lily Brindle (Junior), Rachel Brown, Lotty Dawson, Ellen Inglis, Hope Inglis, Amber Junker-Brameld, Tuva Mauland, Electra Morris, (Junior), Grace Reynolds, Mia Smith (Junior)
Out: Harriet Evans (FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing), Millie Jenkins (Liv CC-Halo Films)
Unknown: Abigail Cooper (unknown), Freya Eccleston (unknown), Amy Harvey, Georgia Lancaster (Loughborough Lightning), Lotta Mansfield (Montezuma’s Race Team), Maisy Vasic, Madeleine Verdegaal
Loughborough Lightning
Loughborough Lightning was established in 2021. A franchise of Loughborough University, the team competes at the top UK domestic level, racing the National Road Series and the National Circuit Series, as well as selected UCI road races.
The squad benefits 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: Penny Colloff (LAKA Pedal Mafia RT), Elena Day (Ignite), Lucy Harris (Cowley Road Condors), Jayati Hine (Team Boompods), Miriam Jessett (Jadan Vive le Velo), Georgia Lancaster (Brother UK-Orientation Marketing), Georgina Oakley (unattached), Mary Wilkinson (Team Boompods)
Re-signed: Eva Callinan, Sophie Coldwell, Philippa Draper, Roisin Lally, Alice Lethbridge, Morgan Newberry, Anya Tamplin
Out: Rosie Allen (unknown), Madeleine Gammons (Brother UK-Orientation Marketing), Emily Kay (unknown), Crystal Lane-Wright (unknown)
Saint Piran WRT
The Cornish-based Saint Piran women’s race team has confirmed seven departures, including former Great Britain rider Ella Barnwell and Danni Khan, who had a successful winter on the track.
Hannah Bayes stays with the team, while Katie-Anne Calton and Elizabeth McKinnon both move up from the junior ranks to join the team.
In: Anastasia Bowler (Wahoo-Le Col), Katie-Anne Calton (JRC-INTERFLON RT), Elizabeth McKinnon (Tofauti Everyone Active)
Re-signed: Hannah Bayes, Rachel Galler, Sophie Holmes, Ailsa McLagen
Out: Ella Barnwell (Team Inspired UCI Track Team), Nicole Coates (retired), Gabriella Homer (Wolfox x Pedal Mafia RT), Amy Kellow, Annamarie Lipp, Danielle Khan (Nouvelles Cycling), Rebecca Richards
Team Boompods
Team Boompods has confirmed it will continue in 2024, with the promise of some ‘big announcements‘ coming up. A key change is that Nikki Metcalfe will take sole charge of the team in 2024, with co-manager Hannah Farran stepping down after six years.
New signings include Elizabeth Hermolle, who finished an impressive 16th in her debut National Road Series race at the Curlew Cup, and Megan Walker from Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting. 2022 Lancaster Grand Prix winner Mary Wilkinson leaves the team for Loughborough Lightning.
In: Megan Anderson (Tactic UK WRT), Bethany Bennett (JRC-INTERFLON Race Team), Amy Drysdale (Army Cycling Union), Elizabeth Hermolle (Unattached), Lauren Langham (Wahoo-Le Col), Megan Walker (Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting)
Re-signed: Hannah Farran, Amy Graham, Sian Marsh, Gemma Mitchell, Lauren Robinson, Lauren Watson
Out: Jayati Hine (Loughborough Lightning), Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK), Ellen McDermott (Keukens Redant Cycling Team), Keri Parton (unknown), Mary Wilkinson (Loughborough Lightning)
Other elite teams
FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing
FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing goes into its second season in 2024 and aims to build on a year of learning in 2023. The team’s manager Billy Oliver, will be supported by riders Viv Tomlin and Lillie Sanders next season as the team aims to support its riders in races both at home and abroad. The team describes itself as a rider-first squad that provides a ‘no pressure’ environment for its athletes.
In: Caitlin Dimbleby (Le Col RT), Harriet Evans (Brother UK-Orientation Marketing), Vanessa Fursden (Wahoo-Le Col), Bekki Gowan, Rebecca Hair (LAKA Pedal Mafia RT), Lousie Hart (Royal Dean Forest CC), Jennifer Hudson (Bristol RC), Mathilde Pauls (LAKA Pedal Mafia RT)
Re-signed: Marie-Louise Kertzman, Claire Nott, Clare Parkin, Laura Pittard, Elizabeth Sanders, Floren Scrafton, Sasha Smith, Vivienne Tomlin, Rosie Wayland
Out: Maddie Heywood (Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Consulting)
Unknown: Joanne Clarke, Lizzie Fox, Olive Holliday, Jordan Matthews, Georgina Pasmore (05/03)
Jadan Vive le Velo
Headed up by women’s racing advocate Victoria Hood, the Jadan team has created a valuable pathway for younger riders stepping into the senior ranks over its ten year history. Expect the team to ride the National Road Series and selected races abroad in 2024. The team is sponsored by Hull companies Jadan Printing and Vive le Velo bike shop.
In: Rebecca Clowes (Forge London Cycling Club), Nicola Greenwood (RFDA), Hebe Picking (RFDA), Dannielle Watkinson (Hutchinson-Brother UK)
Re-signed: Emily Chilton, Skye Davidson, Laura Davies, Kristie Drakeford, Lola Ellis, Izzie Johnson, Jen McMahon, Beth Macrae, Rebekah Nash, Louise Scupham, Courtney Smith, Abbie Taylor, Harriet Wilson
Out: Beth Harley-Jepson (retired), Miriam Jessett (Loughborough Lightning), Gabriella Nordin (unknown), Grace Norman (unknown), Abi Plowman (Alba Development Road Team)
Unknown: Karolina Chudzikiewicz
London Academy
Managed by Sarah King, the London Academy (formerly the LDN Academy) is a mission and values-led race team. Based in London, the team’s ethos is that ‘if you enjoy racing bikes, you’ll keep racing bikes’. The aim of the team is to develop and build confidence in every rider, providing skills sessions, workshops and running a mentoring programme with support from riders who have been there and done it before.
In: Grace Bell (junior, VC Londres), Alice Connor (Velociposse), Sasha Dyke (Ful-On Tri Club), Catherine Hadfield (Islington CC), Savannah Morgan (unattached), Iona Mitchell (Brixton CC), Esme Wiley (junior, VC Londres)
Re-signed: Eleanor Bolton, Anna Brearley, Fran Brown, Miriam Bullock, Jasmine Cornelius, Louise Davidson, Rosie Day, Faith Hammond, Katy Hill, Clare Jackson, Emma Jane Hornsby, Jamie Lee-Wright, Emma Naylor, Lucy Neatham
Out: Charlotte Chaloner (unknown), Charlotte Head (unknown), Jessica Holloway (unknown), Liyana Pama (unknown), Jessica Prior (unknown), Natasha Reddy (unknown)
Nouvelles Cycling x Prendas
A new women’s team in the domestic peloton for 2024. An exciting venture run by David Walters, formerly the Bianchi HUNT Dama team manager, the team will be a development vehicle that aims to provide holistic support for its athletes, with a race programme that incorporates key UK races alongside a European calendar.
The team starts with a compact five-rider squad that includes Danni Khan (11th at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix last season) and Aussie Alisha Wells, a rider who already has Women’s WorldTour experience under her belt.
In: Erin Avill (Storey Racing), Danielle Khan (Saint Piran WRT), Bee Townsend (unknown), Alisha Wells (ARA | Skip Capital), Freya Whiteside (Shibden Hope Tech Apex)
Spectra Racing
The multi-disciplined team will continue in 2024, albeit without previous sponsors Cannondale and DAS.
In: Samantha Fawcett (Hutchinson-Brother UK), Katie Scott (DAS-Handsling)
Re-signed: Xan Crees, Laura Senior
Out: Isabel Darvill (Doltcini O’Shea), Lucy Nelson (Torelli)
Unknown: Anna Flynn, Josie Knight
Stolen Goat RT
Stolen Goat RT has confirmed the re-signing of three of its 2023 women’s squad, Olivia French, Georgi Li and Lauren O’Brien.
In:
Re-signed: Olivia French, Georgie Li, Lauren O’Brien
Out: Karina Clifford, Lena Kane, Gwyneth Parry
The Phoenix Collective
Rising from the ashes of the Hutchinson-Brother UK team is the aptly named The Phoenix Collective. Compromised of five former Hutchinson-Brother UK riders, including our former journal contributor Charliiy Berry and Lydia Watts (second in the Twickenham CC Dave Peck Memorial British Cup Race last season), the team says it has “a female-centric core” and is going into 2024 with “a fresh look, renewed sense of purpose and, above all, a desire to have fun.”
In: Charlotte Berry (Hutchinson-Brother UK), Jessie Carridge (Hutchinson-Brother UK), Ione Johnson (Hutchinson-Brother UK), Molly Patch (Hutchinson-Brother UK), Lydia Watts (Hutchinson-Brother UK)
Wahoo-Le Col
The Wahoo-Le Col team, ostensibly an e-sports squad, had a successful first season on the road in 2023. Breakthrough performances by Lizi Brooke and Frances Owen at the National Road Championships, and plans to create a more expansive road race programme in 2024 boded well for the team’s future.
However, we understand that challenges in pulling together enough funding to realise the team’s 2024 plans led team manager Bryn Griffith to decide to close the team.
Out: Coralie Arthur (unknown), Adele Battersby (Albarosa Cycling Club), Anastasia Bowler (Saint Piran WRT), Maya Branfoot (unknown), Lizi Brooke (Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting), Lyndsey Cassie (Paceline RT),Vanessa Fursden (FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing), Laura Gray (unknown), Lauren Langham (Team Boompods), Emma McDonald (Paceline RT), Laura Nagi (Abingdon Race Team), Frances Owen (Marford and Gresford Velo), Katie Phipkin (unknown)
Wolfox x Pedal Mafia CAMS RT
Previously called LAKA Pedal Mafia RT, the team has a new headline sponsor for 2024. The team has announced a ‘complete restructure’ for 2024 with Alex Welburn now heading up the women’s road and crit team.
In: Gabriella Homer (Saint Piran WRT)
Re-signed: Rebecca Babbage, Caitlin Bower, Alice Butcher, Anouska Greenaway, Laura Starmer
Out: Penny Colloff (Loughborough Lightning), Rebecca Hair (FTP-Fulfil The Potential Racing), Isabella Johnson (Jadan Vive le Velo), Mathilde Pauls (FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing)
Unknown: Eline Smit
Junior teams
Liv CC-Halo Films
Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films is a youth and junior women’s cycle team based in Bristol, run by Peter Georgi. The rider list below encapsulates only the team’s junior riders.
In: Carys Blowers (JRC-INTERFLON Race Team), Millie Jenkins (Brother UK-Orientation Marketing), Megan Lloyd (Harry Middleton Cycling Club), Elite Mitchinson (Montezuma’s Race Team), Jess Pickavance (Team RL360 Isle Of Man), Jessica Rich (JRC-INTERFLON Race Team)
Re-signed: Greta Carey
Out: Ella Jamieson (Lifeplus-Wahoo), Matilda McKibben (Doltcini-O’Shea), Niamh Murphy (Doltcini-O’Shea), Awen Roberts (CANYON/SRAM Generation)
Solas Race Team
Solas Race Team is the first Scottish race team dedicated to junior women. The team has been created “to bridge the gap between youth and senior racing for 16-18 year old Scottish riders”. The team’s mission is “to race bikes, have fun and promote women’s cycling, while supporting a long-term approach to rider development.”
The squad will focus on multiple disciplines throughout the UK and in Europe and has signed eight riders for its debut season.
In: Kayla Dinnin (Dumfries CC), Isla Easto (Deeside Thistle CC), Molly Evans (Deeside Thistle CC), Evelyn Field (JRC-INTERFLON Race Team), Harriet Hendry (Deeside Thistle CC), Isla McCutheon (JRC-INTERFLON Race Team), Daisy Taylor (Royal Albert CC), Millie Thomson (Deeside Thistle CC)
Shibden Hope Tech Apex
The Shibden Hope Tech Apex team made a big splash in its first season in 2023. Made up entirely of first-year juniors for its debut year, the team turned heads almost from day one of the season when Cat Ferguson usurped some of the best domestic road racers to win the Capernwray road race in early March, her teammate Imogen Wolff in 5th. The team continued in the same winning vein throughout the year, both at home and abroad.
Super-talent Ferguson will leave for Movistar in 2024 when she joins them as a stagiaire from 1 August, but such is the strength-in-depth of the squad, that shouldn’t stop the team having another standout season.
In: Arabella Blackburn (Deeside Thistle CC), Ruby Oakes (JRC-INTERFLON Race Team), Evie Smith (Shibden Cycling Club)
Re-signed: Alice Colling, Cat Ferguson (until 1 August 2024), Lucy Glover, Isabel Mayes, Imogen Wolff, Esther Wong
Out: Freya Whiteside (Nouvelles Cycling x Prendas)
Tofauti Everyone Active
A junior team with strong women’s and men’s squads that competes across Europe and the UK in its distinctive green kit. In a landmark move for British junior cycling, the team has announced a pioneering partnership with the prestigious Team dsm-firmenich for 2024, encompassing their men’s and women’s WorldTour teams and development team.
In: Erin Boothman (East Kilbride Road Club), Rebecca Gardiner (Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club), Abigail Miller (Clifton CC), Aliyah Rafferty (Island Wheelers), Ella Tandy (Solihull CC)
Re-signed: Lucy Benezet-Minns, Amelia Cebak, Carys Lloyd, Mari Porton, Mia Rutterford
Out: Emily Carrick-Anderson (unknown), Libby Bell (unknown), Elizabeth McKinnon (Saint Piran WRT), Holly Ramsay (Hess Cycling Team), Lowri Richards (Pro-Noctis – 200o Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting)
Share this: