Shibden Apex RT won the Team of the Year award at the British Conti Awards 2024, showcasing exceptional results and transforming junior women’s cycling in the UK
The British Continental is pleased to announce Shibden Apex RT as the winner of the Team of the Year award at the British Conti Awards 2024. In just their second season, Shibden Apex RT has delivered exceptional results on both domestic and international stages while cementing their reputation as a premier development team for junior women’s cycling. With at least four riders progressing to UCI teams, their impact on the sport is undeniable.
In just two years, Shibden Apex RT has transformed junior women’s cycling in the UK, building one of the most successful and influential development teams on the domestic and international stage. As the winner of the Team of the Year award, the team’s 2024 season was a masterclass in talent development and performance, culminating in at least four of their six outgoing riders securing contracts with UCI teams—a testament to their extraordinary impact.
We have only just started our journey in creating a lasting legacy world-beating British junior female race team
A Pathway to the World Stage
Shibden Apex RT’s commitment to nurturing talent has delivered extraordinary results, both on the road and in terms of rider progression. Their outgoing roster boasts incredible next steps, with at least four of the six outgoing rider securing UCI contracts:
Cat Ferguson: Signed by Women’s WorldTour powerhouse Movistar, following her stellar season.
Imogen Wolff: Moving to Women’s WorldTour team Visma | Lease a Bike, joining one of the sport’s most prestigious setups.
Lucy Glover: Joining the UCI Continental Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team, continuing her development at an elite level.
Alice Colling: Also joining Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team, further strengthening her pathway in professional cycling.
These moves reflect Shibden Apex RT’s success not just as a racing team but as a springboard for developing world-class athletes.
A Season of Success
The 2024 season saw Shibden Apex RT deliver outstanding results both domestically and internationally, including:
Tour du Gévaudan Occitanie: A dominant performance by Cat Ferguson, winning both stages and the overall title.
Bizkaikoloreak Juniors: Ferguson again took both stages and the overall classification in a commanding display.
East Cleveland Classic: Ferguson secured victory in the National Road Series, defeating elite senior competition.
The Peaks 2 Day: Overall victory for Imogen Wolff, capped with a stage win.
Scottish Junior Road Race Championship: Title claimed by Arabella Blackburn, showcasing the team’s depth.
Domestically, Shibden Apex RT also celebrated wins at the Witham Hall Grand Prix (Lucy Glover) and the Duncan Murray Wines Race (Ruby Oakes), further demonstrating their versatility across a variety of races. Add in numerous podiums from across the squad, domestically and internationally, and it’s hard to argue that the team’s results this season have been outstanding.
The girls have sacrificed a great deal—birthday parties, weekends with mates—all gone by the way. There’s no replacement for hard work, and these girls have lived that every day of the season
Reflections from the DS
Team DS Tim Ferguson, father of standout rider Cat Ferguson, shared his pride in the team’s achievements: “This is fabulous. We are incredibly proud to have won this award, and it means a great deal to myself and the girls. The last two years have been amazing. We set out to create the best junior girls’ team in the UK; everything beyond this was a bonus.”
He emphasised the dedication of his riders, crediting their hard work and sacrifices for the team’s success: “The girls have sacrificed a great deal—birthday parties, weekends with mates—all gone by the way. They’ve trained consistently in all weathers while balancing schoolwork. There’s no replacement for hard work, and these girls have lived that every day of the season.”
Ferguson also highlighted the team’s broader mission: “We have only just started our journey in creating a lasting legacy world-beating British junior female race team.”
Image: Andrew Smith/SWpix.com
Looking Ahead
As Shibden Apex RT enters its third season, the team is focused on refining its approach to support its next generation of riders. “Our new roster of girls is incredibly talented – the next gen of British girls—and we see no reason why they can’t follow a similar pathway as our class of 2024,” Ferguson explained.
A Worthy Winner
Shibden Apex RT’s 2024 season was more than a collection of race victories—it was a demonstration of how a well-structured and committed team can transform junior cycling. From their dominance on the road to their riders’ progression into UCI teams, Shibden Apex RT has set a new standard for development in British cycling.
The British Continental is pleased to announce Shibden Apex RT as the winner of the Team of the Year award at the British Conti Awards 2024. In just their second season, Shibden Apex RT has delivered exceptional results on both domestic and international stages while cementing their reputation as a premier development team for junior women’s cycling. With at least four riders progressing to UCI teams, their impact on the sport is undeniable.
See the nominees.
In just two years, Shibden Apex RT has transformed junior women’s cycling in the UK, building one of the most successful and influential development teams on the domestic and international stage. As the winner of the Team of the Year award, the team’s 2024 season was a masterclass in talent development and performance, culminating in at least four of their six outgoing riders securing contracts with UCI teams—a testament to their extraordinary impact.
A Pathway to the World Stage
Shibden Apex RT’s commitment to nurturing talent has delivered extraordinary results, both on the road and in terms of rider progression. Their outgoing roster boasts incredible next steps, with at least four of the six outgoing rider securing UCI contracts:
These moves reflect Shibden Apex RT’s success not just as a racing team but as a springboard for developing world-class athletes.
A Season of Success
The 2024 season saw Shibden Apex RT deliver outstanding results both domestically and internationally, including:
Domestically, Shibden Apex RT also celebrated wins at the Witham Hall Grand Prix (Lucy Glover) and the Duncan Murray Wines Race (Ruby Oakes), further demonstrating their versatility across a variety of races. Add in numerous podiums from across the squad, domestically and internationally, and it’s hard to argue that the team’s results this season have been outstanding.
Reflections from the DS
Team DS Tim Ferguson, father of standout rider Cat Ferguson, shared his pride in the team’s achievements: “This is fabulous. We are incredibly proud to have won this award, and it means a great deal to myself and the girls. The last two years have been amazing. We set out to create the best junior girls’ team in the UK; everything beyond this was a bonus.”
He emphasised the dedication of his riders, crediting their hard work and sacrifices for the team’s success: “The girls have sacrificed a great deal—birthday parties, weekends with mates—all gone by the way. They’ve trained consistently in all weathers while balancing schoolwork. There’s no replacement for hard work, and these girls have lived that every day of the season.”
Ferguson also highlighted the team’s broader mission: “We have only just started our journey in creating a lasting legacy world-beating British junior female race team.”
Looking Ahead
As Shibden Apex RT enters its third season, the team is focused on refining its approach to support its next generation of riders. “Our new roster of girls is incredibly talented – the next gen of British girls—and we see no reason why they can’t follow a similar pathway as our class of 2024,” Ferguson explained.
A Worthy Winner
Shibden Apex RT’s 2024 season was more than a collection of race victories—it was a demonstration of how a well-structured and committed team can transform junior cycling. From their dominance on the road to their riders’ progression into UCI teams, Shibden Apex RT has set a new standard for development in British cycling.
Featured image: SWpix.com
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