News: Alba DRT Riders Inspired to Step Up

Kate Richardson’s move to Continental outfit Lifeplus Wahoo following a spectacular debut season inspiring Alba DRT (Scottish team) riders to make step up

News: Alba DRT Riders Inspired to Step Up

Kate Richardson’s move to Continental outfit Lifeplus Wahoo following a spectacular debut season inspiring Alba DRT (Scottish team) riders to make step up

The manager of Scotland’s only all-female elite cycling outfit believes more teams will be keeping an eye on his riders after Kate Richardson was snapped up by Continental outfit Lifeplus Wahoo following a spectacular debut season. Alba Development Road Team rider Richardson has joined Lifeplus Wahoo, and it is a move team manager Bob Lyons feels can act as an inspiration for other young riders not just with Alba, but across the UK.

Kate, 20, makes the switch following a hugely successful 2022, which included winning every classification she was eligible for at the prestigious Rás na mBan stage race in Ireland in September and being selected for the GB Cycling Senior Academy Squad. She joins Lifeplus Wahoo after an exciting 2022, which saw the team receive a wild card invitation to the Tour de France Femmes in July, a race that culminated in Gladys Verhulst winning the most combative prize and sprinter Maike van der Duin donning the best young rider classification jersey on the same day.

And Alba DRT Performance Director and Team Manager Bob Lyons reckons Kate’s move justifies the team’s decision to focus on developing riders. He said: “we said when we started the team that we want to give female riders the platform to succeed, and Kate has grabbed that opportunity. I am sure people across the sport will have noticed what we have been doing, and given this is what the team was set up to do, I have every confidence this will not be the first time we lose riders to a bigger teams. Ultimately, success to Alba is riders progressing to the upper levels of the sport.”

“We have shown that we can offer a pathway to success for young riders, and I am sure Kate’s move to Lifeplus Wahoo will act as a catalyst for both teams and athletes as they realise the success Alba can bring them. Our success will be measured by how many riders move on to bigger and better things, and while it makes our job harder, it’s a good problem to have. Kate has been phenomenal in the last year, typified by her performance in the Rás na mBan. She has worked incredibly hard to get where she is, and everyone associated with the team is very proud of her.”

“After only making the permanent switch from triathlon to cycling in the summer of 2021, her willingness to learn and determination to succeed has been second to none. I am delighted for her, and look forward to watching her career go from strength to strength.”

Kate added: “It has been a fantastic year, and I am delighted to be making the step up with Lifeplus Wahoo. This move would not have been possible without the time, effort and dedication of everyone associated with Alba, including its sponsors. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the team, and look forward cheering on the girls to further success in the future.”

The Alba team enjoyed a successful end to 2022, with Kate and Eilidh Shaw among the medal winners at the Scottish National Track Championships in Glasgow in December, with the squad taking home gold in the team pursuit and filling the podium in the scratch, individual pursuit and points races. Bob added: “We have the British Track Championships later in January, and I know the solid performances the girls have put in have already attracted attention, so I have every confidence that will continue in Newport.”

“The championships give us a good opportunity to prove ourselves against some top talent, and it will be a good challenge for the team to show they are capable of stepping up and helping the team succeed following Kate’s departure.”

The Alba Development Women’s Racing Team
– Sophie Enever
– Sophie Lankford
– Beth McIver
—Arian Holland
– Vicky Smith
– Erin Murphy
– Helen Shaw
– Evie White
– Daisy Barnes

The team can be followed on Twitter at @AlbaRoadTeamInstagram on albaroadteam and Facebook at AlbaDevelopmentRT

Lifeplus Wahoo (British team)

Kate Richardson (former Alba Development rider)
Eluned Ling
Typhaine Laurance
Maddie Leech
Flora Perkins
Kaja Rysz
Karin Soderqvist
April Tacey
Babette van der Wolf
Margaux Lookout
Ella Wyllie