A Harrogate cyclist has been selected for a prestigious cycling academy and will develop her skills under Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey.

18-year-old Lucy Ellmore saw off competition from more than 100 applicants to be shortlisted for a testing day at Lee Valley VeloPark last week.

And she has been selected to take part in the prestigious ŠKODA DSI Cycling Academy – a university-style programme that aims to provide ambitious female cyclists, aged between 17-22, with a route to the elite level of the sport.

Lucy, who is in her final year of her A Levels at Rossett School in Harrogate, said:

“I was delighted just to get to the testing day and I am so pleased to have been selected.

“I am looking forward to joining the team, working with Dame Sarah Storey, being part of the ŠKODA Cycling Academy and see where cycling takes me.”

Ellmore, who also has a part time job at the local Police Treatment Centre, added:

“I’ve cycled since I can remember. I took up road cycling seriously at 13 when I joined Otley Cycling Club.

“I love the hills, so I would classify myself as a climber, but have taken part in time trials to help increase my raw power.  I took part in the Yorkshire Road Race Test Event last Sunday and came third out of over 60 riders.”

Lucy Ellmore attended the testing day at Lee Valley VeloPark with Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey

More than 100 aspiring female amateur riders applied to join the Academy by providing details of their cycling experience, ambitions, and training schedule. A total of 17 riders were then shortlisted to attend the second stage of the selection process, a testing day at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London.

Lucy was put through her paces in a series of cycling tests that included a peak power test, a three-minute maximal test and a 12-minute steady state challenge. She then completed laps of the outdoor closed circuit to test her physical handling and pacing abilities.

Dame Sarah Storey, Academy Principal and Team GB’s most successful Paralympian, said:

“Lucy had an exceptional day at the test day, producing some of the biggest numbers across the group and also demonstrating an incredible ability to suffer at repeated high intensity.

“She shows all the potential of someone who could climb with the best riders in the world and was unfazed on the road bike test despite the storm that whipped up just as she was lining up as last rider off!”

18-year-old Lucy Ellmore has been selected for the ŠKODA DSI Cycling Academy

The ŠKODA DSI Cycling Academy

The ŠKODA DSI Cycling Academy programme will provide Lucy with the opportunity to experience the life of a professional rider, covering the performance, nutrition and media profile required to be a modern-day pro cyclist.

The 2021 schedule also offers the chance to race in the Women’s National Road and Circuit Series and attend ŠKODA sponsored events, which include the Women’s Tour and the Tour Series.

Lucy will receive regular reviews and undergo intense training in order to graduate on to the next year of the programme, whether that’s a place on the Storey Racing roster, a place on a UCI Women’s World Tour team or another year as part of the Academy.

The university-style programme also delivers an educational aspect through the social media and promotion strands.

Lucy will join four existing senior Academy riders who joined in 2019. Morgan Newberry, Rebecca Richards, Megan Dickerson and Meredith Gilbert are starting the final year of their Academy experience and hope to graduate at the end of 2021 by joining a professional cycling team.

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