Spectra Racing signs 21‑year‑old rising star Madeline Cooper
Spectra Racing have snapped up 21-year-old BUCS road champion Maddie Cooper after her breakout road season; the Leeds-based prospect’s punchy sprint should add firepower to Spectra’s 2025 campaign.
Spectra Racing has announced the signing of Leeds under-23 rider Madeline Cooper for the 2025 season. Cooper is already emerging as one of Britain’s most exciting young talents. The Yorkshire-based rider, who studies at Leeds, has compiled an impressive string of results in 2025, prompting Spectra’s management to bolster the roster with her punchy, sprint‑capable riding.
In Britain’s 2025 domestic races, Cooper has consistently been there to challenge. Racing for Montezuma’s Eventrex until today, her performances on the road and in cribs have earned her 5th in the Rapha Super‑League. She has had a particularly impressive crit season this summer, sprinted to 3rd place in the Orbea Ilkley Women’s Grand Prix. At the Guildford Town Centre Races last week, she joined the decisive break and rode to 2nd place behind Robyn Clay. These high finishes vaulted her into third place in the National Circuit Series standings with three rounds remaining. As The British Continental observed of Guildford’s result, “Cooper’s runner-up ride cements her growing reputation as the peloton’s most consistent all-rounder”. In short, her aggression and finishing speed have marked her out as a rider to watch.
Cooper’s breakthrough isn’t limited to criterium races. In May she won the BUCS (universities) road race championship with a late attack on the final climb, seizing an emphatic victory. Soon after, she also won the East and West Midlands Road Race Championships, taking the regional women’s title. These victories – on hilly road courses – along with podiums on the crit circuit, underline her versatility. Cooper has shown a breadth of skill that few riders of her age possess.
For Spectra Racing, adding Cooper strengthens an already competitive roster. The team’s line‑up includes track star Jessica Roberts, the former British road race champion, who took third in this year’s national circuit championships – along with a mix of strong all‑rounders. Cooper’s profile (a fast, resilient rider with a powerful kick) complements these strengths.
We understand that Spectra have quietly been in Cooper’s corner for weeks: the team were seen giving her informal support at Otley, Ilkley and Guildford, so today’s move merely rubber-stamps a partnership already in motion. Team manager Gina Ball – who co-owns Spectra with Josh Hand – has emphasised building a multi‑discipline, inclusive squad. The signing of a young, under-23 rider like Cooper shows the team investing in the future as well as the present. The teams competes year‑round (road in summer, cyclocross in winter), a programme which should suit a cyclocross specialist like Cooper.
Spectra Racing has announced the signing of Leeds under-23 rider Madeline Cooper for the 2025 season. Cooper is already emerging as one of Britain’s most exciting young talents. The Yorkshire-based rider, who studies at Leeds, has compiled an impressive string of results in 2025, prompting Spectra’s management to bolster the roster with her punchy, sprint‑capable riding.
In Britain’s 2025 domestic races, Cooper has consistently been there to challenge. Racing for Montezuma’s Eventrex until today, her performances on the road and in cribs have earned her 5th in the Rapha Super‑League. She has had a particularly impressive crit season this summer, sprinted to 3rd place in the Orbea Ilkley Women’s Grand Prix. At the Guildford Town Centre Races last week, she joined the decisive break and rode to 2nd place behind Robyn Clay. These high finishes vaulted her into third place in the National Circuit Series standings with three rounds remaining. As The British Continental observed of Guildford’s result, “Cooper’s runner-up ride cements her growing reputation as the peloton’s most consistent all-rounder”. In short, her aggression and finishing speed have marked her out as a rider to watch.
Cooper’s breakthrough isn’t limited to criterium races. In May she won the BUCS (universities) road race championship with a late attack on the final climb, seizing an emphatic victory. Soon after, she also won the East and West Midlands Road Race Championships, taking the regional women’s title. These victories – on hilly road courses – along with podiums on the crit circuit, underline her versatility. Cooper has shown a breadth of skill that few riders of her age possess.
For Spectra Racing, adding Cooper strengthens an already competitive roster. The team’s line‑up includes track star Jessica Roberts, the former British road race champion, who took third in this year’s national circuit championships – along with a mix of strong all‑rounders. Cooper’s profile (a fast, resilient rider with a powerful kick) complements these strengths.
We understand that Spectra have quietly been in Cooper’s corner for weeks: the team were seen giving her informal support at Otley, Ilkley and Guildford, so today’s move merely rubber-stamps a partnership already in motion. Team manager Gina Ball – who co-owns Spectra with Josh Hand – has emphasised building a multi‑discipline, inclusive squad. The signing of a young, under-23 rider like Cooper shows the team investing in the future as well as the present. The teams competes year‑round (road in summer, cyclocross in winter), a programme which should suit a cyclocross specialist like Cooper.
Featured image: Olly Hassall/SWpix.com
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