Alba Development Road Team manager Bob Lyons regards their invitation to the Tour of Britain Women as a significant milestone, demonstrating the team’s progress since its inception less than three years ago. Lyons maintains, however, that the team has much more to achieve.
Alba is among six British UCI Continental teams confirmed for the event, which kicks off in Welshpool on June 6th and concludes in Greater Manchester on June 9th. They will be joined by DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK, Doltcini-O’Shea, Hess Cycling Team, Lifeplus-Wahoo, and Pro-Noctis – 200° Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting.
Alba’s remarkable rise has been driven by its mission to help women realise their aspirations of competing against the world’s top riders in premier races. The team stepped up to UCI Continental level this season, aligning with this objective.
Bob Lyons expressed his excitement about the team’s participation in their first women’s world tour race on home soil, saying, “To be competing in our first women’s world tour race on home soil is a great thrill and something we are all looking forward to.”
Lyons attributed the team’s success to the riders’ talent and dedication, stating, “I am delighted with how far we have come as a team in the short time since our formation. We have only been able to enjoy this success due to the talent and hard work the riders have put in, and it is fantastic to see them getting the reward of competing on the biggest stage.”
The team’s achievements have been supported by their sponsors, whose backing has enabled them to travel across Europe for various competitions. Lyons noted, “We are also extremely grateful to our sponsors, whose backing has meant we’ve been able to travel across Europe to compete in several races this year.”
This season, Alba has already made a strong impression, securing second-place finishes at both the CiCLE Classic and the Women’s East Cleveland Classic. They achieved three top-15 finishes in the CiCLE Classic and currently sit third in the British National Series team classification. Eilidh Shaw and Amelia Taylor are both in the top 10 following the recent Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.
Reflecting on the season, Lyons said, “Since the season got underway we have challenged ourselves against the best in Europe, including competing in cycling’s spiritual home in Belgium against some of the continent’s best. That itself should give everyone associated with the team the confidence to go out and test themselves in any race in which we take part.”
He also highlighted the growth of women’s cycling, with the British National Road Series expanding from five rounds in 2023 to potentially eight this year, and the wider exposure from the upcoming Olympics. Lyons remarked, “The Tour of Britain Women being added to the calendar sets us up nicely for a fantastic summer of sport, one that everyone on the team is looking forward to.”
