As we continue to celebrate the stars of British domestic cycling, it’s time to honour the exceptional women who dominated the scene in 2024. The Domestic Rider of the Year (Female) award highlights the riders whose performances, consistency, and dedication to the sport set them apart this year.
Award Criteria
Nominees for Domestic Rider of the Year (Female) were assessed based on:
Race Results: Wins, podiums, and consistency throughout the season.
Level of Competition: Quality of fields in which they competed and excelled.
Impact on Domestic Scene: Contributions to the visibility and profile of women’s cycling in the UK.
After much deliberation, our panel has selected three riders who defined the domestic women’s racing scene in 2024.
The Nominees
Cat Ferguson
At just 17 years old and still a junior, Cat Ferguson (Shibden Apex RT) announced herself as a once-in-a-generation talent in 2024. She stunned the field with a breathtaking solo victory at the East Cleveland Classic, chasing back from a crash on the final lap to attack and win. Her season also included multiple victories in international junior races and the junior national road championships. Ferguson’s performances not only highlighted her immense potential but also brought excitement and attention to women’s domestic racing. She may only have been a domestic rider until August, when she stepped up to the WorldTour with Movistar (and went to even bigger wins), but such was the mark she made in the first seventh months of 2024, the panel agreed Ferguson was a standout pick.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Frankie Hall
Frankie Hall delivered an exceptional season in 2024, headlined by her victories at the Otley Grand Prix and the Lancaster Grand Prix, two of the UK’s most prestigious races. The DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK rider also claimed a podium finish at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix and showcased her versatility and resilience by leading the Volta a Portugal Feminina for a stage, finishing 6th overall. Victory at the Harrogate Nova Spring Road Race and second at the Dudley Grand Prix further underlined Hall’s consistency and tactical acumen, making her standout figure in domestic racing, inspiring fans and competitors alike. Hall has a come a long way in a short space of time in her career.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Eilidh Shaw
19-year-old Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) dominated the domestic women’s racing scene in 2024, winning both the National Road Series and National Circuit Series titles, an historic first. Her season was a masterclass in consistency, with highlights including second-place finishes at the Curlew Cup, the ANEXO/CAMS CiCLE Classic and the East Cleveland Classic, as well as victories at The Parcours Guildford Women’s Grand Prix and Dudley GP. Shaw was strong on the UCI stage too, with two third places on stages of the Tour de Feminin and accomplished rides in major races such as the Tour of Britain Women and the Tour de l’Avenir. Shaw’s achievements culminated in her signing with UAE ADQ’s development team for 2025, marking her as one of the brightest stars in British cycling.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
What’s Next?
The winner of the Domestic Rider of the Year (Female) award will be revealed next week, alongside the other categories in the British Conti Awards 2024. These three riders epitomised the very best of British women’s cycling in 2024, inspiring fans and raising the profile of the sport.
Who will take the title? Stay tuned for the big reveal!
As we continue to celebrate the stars of British domestic cycling, it’s time to honour the exceptional women who dominated the scene in 2024. The Domestic Rider of the Year (Female) award highlights the riders whose performances, consistency, and dedication to the sport set them apart this year.
Award Criteria
Nominees for Domestic Rider of the Year (Female) were assessed based on:
After much deliberation, our panel has selected three riders who defined the domestic women’s racing scene in 2024.
The Nominees
Cat Ferguson
At just 17 years old and still a junior, Cat Ferguson (Shibden Apex RT) announced herself as a once-in-a-generation talent in 2024. She stunned the field with a breathtaking solo victory at the East Cleveland Classic, chasing back from a crash on the final lap to attack and win. Her season also included multiple victories in international junior races and the junior national road championships. Ferguson’s performances not only highlighted her immense potential but also brought excitement and attention to women’s domestic racing. She may only have been a domestic rider until August, when she stepped up to the WorldTour with Movistar (and went to even bigger wins), but such was the mark she made in the first seventh months of 2024, the panel agreed Ferguson was a standout pick.
Frankie Hall
Frankie Hall delivered an exceptional season in 2024, headlined by her victories at the Otley Grand Prix and the Lancaster Grand Prix, two of the UK’s most prestigious races. The DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK rider also claimed a podium finish at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix and showcased her versatility and resilience by leading the Volta a Portugal Feminina for a stage, finishing 6th overall. Victory at the Harrogate Nova Spring Road Race and second at the Dudley Grand Prix further underlined Hall’s consistency and tactical acumen, making her standout figure in domestic racing, inspiring fans and competitors alike. Hall has a come a long way in a short space of time in her career.
Eilidh Shaw
19-year-old Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team) dominated the domestic women’s racing scene in 2024, winning both the National Road Series and National Circuit Series titles, an historic first. Her season was a masterclass in consistency, with highlights including second-place finishes at the Curlew Cup, the ANEXO/CAMS CiCLE Classic and the East Cleveland Classic, as well as victories at The Parcours Guildford Women’s Grand Prix and Dudley GP. Shaw was strong on the UCI stage too, with two third places on stages of the Tour de Feminin and accomplished rides in major races such as the Tour of Britain Women and the Tour de l’Avenir. Shaw’s achievements culminated in her signing with UAE ADQ’s development team for 2025, marking her as one of the brightest stars in British cycling.
What’s Next?
The winner of the Domestic Rider of the Year (Female) award will be revealed next week, alongside the other categories in the British Conti Awards 2024. These three riders epitomised the very best of British women’s cycling in 2024, inspiring fans and raising the profile of the sport.
Who will take the title? Stay tuned for the big reveal!
Featured image: Andrew Smith/SWpix.com
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