A number of Irish riders have secured financial backing, and mentoring, for themselves for the coming season from The Cyclists' Alliance, backed by Strava.
The awards - the TCAMP Pre-Career X Strava Grant - are designed to ease the financial burden on riders as they attempt to progress their careers with UCI teams in Europe.
A total of three Irish riders - Lucy Bénézet Minns, Esther Wong and Aoife O'Brien - have secured the grants among a total group of 11 from around the world, meaning the Irish have done very well this year.
All three Irish riders are taking their first steps into racing with UCI teams this season. Bénézet Minns (18) and Wong (18) are first-year U23s and will race with Lotto Ladies and Hess Cycling Team respectively.
Advertisement
O'Brien (21) is going into her third year as an U23 rider and has secured her first contract with a UCI-ranked team, namely DAS-Hutchinson-Brother-UK.
"These athletes will receive funding to help offset the high costs of pursuing a career in cycling, including but not limited to, travel, accommodations, equipment, insurance, visas, and more," TCA said announcing the 11 riders.
"In addition to financial support, the athlete cohort will receive mentorship from TCA throughout the season, and attend educational sessions on important topics related to their career and performance."
Related News
O'Brien said she was very grateful to the TCA and Strava for the grant, which would assist her with her costs over the coming season.
"Financial support and mentorship can be difficult to come by, especially as a female cyclist, but this grant is changing this and paving the way for developing riders like myself," she said. "Balancing my university degree and cycling career can be a lot, but having the peace of mind knowing I can financially support myself is such a huge privilege."
Wong said she was "honoured to be awarded this grant by TCA and Strava" and "can’t wait" for the 2025 season to begin.
"Coming out of the junior ranks will be a big step up, but knowing I have the support from TCA gives me comfort," she added. "I will put this grant to good use to enable me to commit fully to my training and development, bringing me closer to reaching my potential so that one day I can fulfil my dream of becoming a World Tour pro."
Bénézet Minns said: "I’m super grateful to have been awarded this grant as it will enable me to focus fully on racing for my first season as an U23 while reducing the financial stress of relocating to Europe.
"I learned so much racing on the continent as a junior, but I know I still have a big margin for progression. I’m really thankful to The Cyclists’ Alliance and Strava for believing in me, and I hope to use their support to continue growing and developing in 2025."
The other riders who have secured the grants for this year are: Austrian Daniela Schmidsberger (Buffaz Gestion de Patrimoine-Lyon Sprint Evolution), Britain's Robyn Clay (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother-UK), Hungary's Dorka Jordán (Carbonbike Giordana by Gen Z), Britain's Ella Jamieson (Massi-Baix Ter), Britain's Lauren Dickson (Handsling Alba Development Road Team), Canada's Ngaire Barraclough (LA Sweat), Ethiopia's Trhas Teklehaimanot Tesfay (WCC Team) and Britain's Libby Smithson (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother-UK).
