Izzy Sharp will stay with Alba for the 2027 season after agreeing a one-year contract extension following a strong first year back in the British domestic and European racing scene.
Sharp joined Handsling Alba Development Road Team for 2026 after two seasons with Lidl-Trek, choosing to step away from the Women’s WorldTour and return to a UK-based environment. The move has given her a broad programme across UCI road racing, British domestic events and international track competition, with several of her strongest results coming against top-level opposition.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in a positive environment and building on a strong 2026,” Sharp said after the extension was confirmed.
Sharp has rebuilt momentum during 2026
The 21-year-old’s best road performances this season have included fifth at the British National Time Trial Championships, where she was the highest-placed rider from a British trade team, and fifth in the opening time trial at the Giro Toscana Int. Femminile. She also finished sixth at the Ilkley Grand Prix and seventh at the City of London Nocturne.
Those results have come alongside a substantial European race programme with Alba. Sharp has started UCI events in the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Italy, giving her the sort of varied calendar the team was designed to provide for developing British riders.
Photo Credit: SWPix.comTrack success has remained part of Sharp’s season
Sharp has also continued to race successfully on the track. At the under-23 European Track Championships in Cottbus she won bronze in the individual pursuit before adding silver in the Madison alongside Imogen Wolff.
That dual road and track programme has remained an important part of her development. Sharp came through as one of Britain’s strongest juniors, winning Gent-Wevelgem and Omloop van Borsele at junior level and taking silver in the junior time trial at the 2023 Road World Championships before moving directly into the WorldTour with Lidl-Trek.
Her return to Alba for 2026 was therefore less about stepping away from ambition than changing the environment around it. ProCyclingUK covered Sharp’s move to Alba ahead of this season, when she said happiness and balance had become priorities after two demanding years at WorldTour level.
Sharp stays as Alba prepares for a new identity in 2027
Sharp’s extension also comes as the team prepares for a change of title sponsor. Alba will race as CAMS Alba in 2027 after cycling accident management company CAMS agreed to become the team’s new headline partner.
The team remains focused on developing riders towards the highest levels of women’s cycling, and keeping Sharp gives it a rider who already has WorldTour experience while still being only 21. Her time-trial strength, track background and ability to race aggressively across different formats make her one of the more versatile riders in the squad.
For Sharp, the 2027 season offers continuity after a year that has allowed her to rebuild confidence and race more regularly. For Alba, retaining a rider who arrived with two seasons of WorldTour experience gives the team another established reference point as its next phase begins.
