The Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Female) award celebrates emerging talents who have made a significant impact on the domestic cycling scene. This year, Lauren Dickson takes the honour after a remarkable 2024 season that saw her transition from triathlon to road racing and achieve exceptional results. With standout podiums at the Lancaster Grand Prix and the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, as well as a victory at the Scottish National Hill Climb Championship, Lauren has proven herself as one of the most exciting new talents in British cycling.
For a rider who hadn’t even started road racing until this year, Lauren Dickson has had an extraordinary 2024. Taking the Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Female) award, Lauren’s rapid rise from complete novice to one of the UK’s most exciting young talents is a testament to her grit, adaptability, and unrelenting drive to learn.
Lauren’s Journey in Her Own Words
Speaking to The British Continental, Lauren reflected on her unexpected breakthrough year. “Yeah, my 2024 season was something that I had not really expected, but as it evolved, I started setting higher goals for myself,” she recalls.
I looked up how to start racing in the UK, worked my way from Cat 4 to Cat 1, and with each race, I just wanted to prove to myself—and to everyone else—that I could be competitive in the field
“I really got into it because my friends had seen a Strava ride I’d done and encouraged me to do a bike race. I looked up how to start racing in the UK, worked my way from Cat 4 to Cat 1, and with each race, I just wanted to prove to myself—and to everyone else—that I could be competitive in the field.”
Her first big moment came at the Lancaster Grand Prix, where she finished second while riding for Edinburgh RC. “I’d invited my grandma, who lives near Lancaster, to watch me, and my whole family turned up,” she says. “At that point, nobody had too high an expectation of me because I wasn’t seen as a threat. But when I found myself up the road, and the team car told me DAS riders were coming across, I just gave it everything. I didn’t win, but I was really proud of the result. It was the best I could do on the day.”
This performance earned Lauren a mid-season contract with Alba Development RT, a move that gave her the support and mentorship she needed to reach the next level. “They’ve helped so much, showing me the ropes. It’s a great group of girls, and I’ve learned so much from them,” Lauren says.
Image: Alba Development RT
From Strength to Strength
Lauren backed up her Lancaster result with another second-place finish at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, eighth at the Curlew Cup, and rounded off her season by winning the Scottish National Hill Climb Championship.
Reflecting on the award, Lauren said: “I’m really grateful and honoured to be given this award. The other girls who were nominated are such strong riders, and I really enjoyed racing with them. We were often in the breakaway together, so I got to see up close how they ride. I think this award also reflects the ethos at Alba. Bob Lyons focuses so much on our development and progress, and this is recognition of that.”
My main goals are to see how far I can get on the road and aim to turn professional with a WorldTour team—it’s a massive ask, but I want to give it everything
Looking Ahead to 2025
Lauren’s ambitions for next year are clear and bold:“My two main goals are to see how far I can get on the road and aim to turn professional with a WorldTour team—it’s a massive ask, but I want to give it everything. I’ll be focusing on a lot of races in Europe to see how I stack up.”
But it’s not just the road where Lauren is targeting success. She’s also part of Scottish Cycling’s endurance programme, working on the track with an eye on representing Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. “We’ve been doing a lot of work on the velodrome over the winter,” she reveals. “I’m really enjoying it. I want to see how far I can go in both disciplines.”
Why She Stood Out
Lauren Dickson’s 2024 was not just a story of results but also of remarkable progress. In a single season, she rose from an unknown talent to one of the most exciting young riders in the UK. Her determination, adaptability, and fearless approach to racing set her apart, and her ambition for the future makes her one to watch in the years to come.
The Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Female) award celebrates emerging talents who have made a significant impact on the domestic cycling scene. This year, Lauren Dickson takes the honour after a remarkable 2024 season that saw her transition from triathlon to road racing and achieve exceptional results. With standout podiums at the Lancaster Grand Prix and the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, as well as a victory at the Scottish National Hill Climb Championship, Lauren has proven herself as one of the most exciting new talents in British cycling.
See the nominees.
For a rider who hadn’t even started road racing until this year, Lauren Dickson has had an extraordinary 2024. Taking the Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Female) award, Lauren’s rapid rise from complete novice to one of the UK’s most exciting young talents is a testament to her grit, adaptability, and unrelenting drive to learn.
Lauren’s Journey in Her Own Words
Speaking to The British Continental, Lauren reflected on her unexpected breakthrough year. “Yeah, my 2024 season was something that I had not really expected, but as it evolved, I started setting higher goals for myself,” she recalls.
“I really got into it because my friends had seen a Strava ride I’d done and encouraged me to do a bike race. I looked up how to start racing in the UK, worked my way from Cat 4 to Cat 1, and with each race, I just wanted to prove to myself—and to everyone else—that I could be competitive in the field.”
Her first big moment came at the Lancaster Grand Prix, where she finished second while riding for Edinburgh RC. “I’d invited my grandma, who lives near Lancaster, to watch me, and my whole family turned up,” she says. “At that point, nobody had too high an expectation of me because I wasn’t seen as a threat. But when I found myself up the road, and the team car told me DAS riders were coming across, I just gave it everything. I didn’t win, but I was really proud of the result. It was the best I could do on the day.”
This performance earned Lauren a mid-season contract with Alba Development RT, a move that gave her the support and mentorship she needed to reach the next level. “They’ve helped so much, showing me the ropes. It’s a great group of girls, and I’ve learned so much from them,” Lauren says.
From Strength to Strength
Lauren backed up her Lancaster result with another second-place finish at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, eighth at the Curlew Cup, and rounded off her season by winning the Scottish National Hill Climb Championship.
Reflecting on the award, Lauren said: “I’m really grateful and honoured to be given this award. The other girls who were nominated are such strong riders, and I really enjoyed racing with them. We were often in the breakaway together, so I got to see up close how they ride. I think this award also reflects the ethos at Alba. Bob Lyons focuses so much on our development and progress, and this is recognition of that.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
Lauren’s ambitions for next year are clear and bold: “My two main goals are to see how far I can get on the road and aim to turn professional with a WorldTour team—it’s a massive ask, but I want to give it everything. I’ll be focusing on a lot of races in Europe to see how I stack up.”
But it’s not just the road where Lauren is targeting success. She’s also part of Scottish Cycling’s endurance programme, working on the track with an eye on representing Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. “We’ve been doing a lot of work on the velodrome over the winter,” she reveals. “I’m really enjoying it. I want to see how far I can go in both disciplines.”
Why She Stood Out
Lauren Dickson’s 2024 was not just a story of results but also of remarkable progress. In a single season, she rose from an unknown talent to one of the most exciting young riders in the UK. Her determination, adaptability, and fearless approach to racing set her apart, and her ambition for the future makes her one to watch in the years to come.
Featured image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
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