Scottish women’s cycling team Alba Development Road Team has announced that Handsling will become their title sponsor for the 2025 season. The partnership will see the squad, now named Handsling Alba Development Road Team, continue to use Handsling’s A1R0evo carbon race bikes, custom-painted in Alba Blue.
Performance Director Bob Lyons remarked on the partnership, stating that 2024 was an “unprecedented” year for the team. “Eilidh [Shaw] winning both the road and circuit elite national titles, together with a string of very strong results in Europe, was tremendous,” he said. Lyons also credited the A1R0evo for playing a part in the team’s achievements, adding, “Handsling’s vision is very much aligned with that of the team and building on our existing relationship will be a major factor in the delivery of the team’s objectives going forward.”
The squad’s success this season includes a British championship double and standout performances in European events like the Tour de Feminin and Tour de l’Ardèche. Eilidh Shaw, the team’s 19-year-old star, capped off her first full elite season with the UK National Road and Circuit Series titles, along with being named domestic rider of the year by Cycling Weekly and the British Continental. Shaw recently signed a two-year deal with UAE Development Team, crediting Alba for her progress. “The team structure, development support and environment has allowed me to focus on developing as a bike rider,” she said. “This coupled with a rider-focused race calendar and exemplary organisation has provided the perfect platform for me, as a rider, to secure a contract with UAE.”
Handsling Director Simon Whiten expressed excitement about the expanded partnership, stating, “We’re delighted to be strengthening our existing relationship with Alba as title sponsors. It’s been incredible to see the success of the team on the A1R0evo, winning many of the UK’s biggest races and being competitive on the continent.” Whiten also spoke of Handsling’s origins, noting the company’s mission to make elite-level bikes accessible to a wider audience. “For cyclists to become world class, they require the team environment, race programme, and high-performance equipment to fulfil their potential. We’re confident that Handsling Alba will provide this,” he said.
The 2025 roster comprises 11 riders, blending youth and experience. Olympic and World Champion Neah Evans joins the line-up, alongside returning race winners Lauren Dickson, Beth Morrow, and Keira Bond. Younger riders such as Maddie Leach, Eluned King, and Mari Porton are tipped as rising stars. The team’s objectives for 2025 include an expanded European calendar with 40-50 race days and a strong commitment to the UK elite racing scene.
The team’s bikes, designed entirely in-house, feature advanced specifications such as disc brakes, clearance for 32mm tyres, and custom assembly tailored to rider size. The A1R0evo is set to return for the second season as the team’s bike of choice, described by Whiten as demonstrating “the race pedigree of Handsling frames.”
