A Big Year in the Saddle for Handsling in 2025

With 2025 drawing to a close, it feels like the perfect moment to look back at what Handsling, our sponsored teams, and our riders have achieved this year. So settle in with your favourite tipple and a well‑earned slice of something delicious as we dive into the Handsling 2025 Round Up.

January

The year began with a major announcement: the Scottish Women’s Continental squad Alba officially became the Handsling–Alba Development Road Team, with Handsling stepping up as title sponsor. The team entered 2025 off the back of an exceptional season, having secured a remarkable championship double in both the UK road and circuit series. Their momentum carried through Europe as well, with standout performances at Tour de Feminin, Antwerp Port Epic, and Tour de L’Ardèche.

Simon Whiten, Director of Handsling Ltd, said: ‘We’re delighted to be strengthening our existing relationship with Alba. 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."

February

As the year began Handsling owners were preparing for their own challenges. Among them was Tom Humphreys, who shared his plans to tackle one of cycling’s most gruelling amateur events: the Transcontinental Race. Riding his A1R0evo, Tom set out to conquer this definitive self‑supported race across Europe; a single‑stage epic where the clock never stops.

April

April saw the Handsling–Alba team welcome back Lauren Dickson, fresh from a stellar 2024 that included victory at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, gold in both the Individual and Team Pursuit at the British National Track Championships and a clean sweep of the Individual Pursuit, Scratch, and Points races at the Scottish National Track Championships.

The team also made waves at the final Spring Classic of the season, the Scheldeprijs. As a development squad, they could have been forgiven for sitting in the bunch and learning the ropes; but nobody told Amelia Tyler that!

Amelia went on an audacious long-rage attack with just fifteen kilometres covered. Working with her breakaway companion, Alison extended her lead to two and a half minutes and held that for ninety of the Scheldeprijs' one hundred and thirty kilometres, before eventually being caught by the bunch, which contained some of Women's cycling's top teams. A brave effort that showed the team's potential.

May

And the results just keep coming for the Handsling-Alba and the A1R0evo!

First off was Lauren Dickson's win at the Lincoln GP. Lauren took her win when she powered away from a small break on the final ascent of the brutal Michaelgate climb to claim her first National Road Series victory.

A week later, the team backed it up by winning the overall at the 2025 Tour de Feminin in Czechia. Two very different races, the cobbles of Lincoln and four demanding stages in Czechia, but one constant; the race‑winning pedigree of the A1R0evo.

May also brought another accolade: a glowing 4.5/5 review from Cycling Weekly, praising everything from the bike’s nimble handling to its dazzling paintwork.

Read the full review here.

June

Customisation has always been at the heart of Handsling, and June brought a perfect example. One customer decided the TR3evo track bike would make an ideal fixed‑wheel TT machine and we were happy to rise to the challenge.

We modified the fork to accommodate a caliper brake, designed a custom carbon handlebar with dual pillars for TT extensions, and fitted an Enduo Track ‘56’ tooth chainring and sprocket with a unique tooth profile.

Handsling MD Simon Whiten said: “Building highly-customised bikes is in Handsling’s DNA." So if you want a bike you can truly call yours, try a Handsling.

July

As summer arrived, the Handsling–Alba team continued their winning streak. Kate Richardson added the National Circuit Series title to her overall victory at the Tour de Feminin.

Meanwhile off‑road, CEXevo owner Jack Jee battled through a stacked field at the Eislek Gravel event in Luxembourg, qualifying for the UCI Gravel World Championships.

“The course was the most brutal I have ever seen,” Jack said. “It immediately went straight up a twenty‑five‑minute climb in 30‑degree heat.”

Heading back to the road and long-time Handsling customer Dyll Davies, took one of our original RR1 road bikes on a trip of a lifetime. As the pro peloton raced around France, Dyll was following in their wheels.

However, instead of skipping from one stage to another, he was covering the entire route, including the transitions, solo. No back-up crew, no masseurs or crew to cook his food or wash his kit. Just one man and his bike on a momentous trip to celebrate his becoming a pensioner! Proof that age need not be a bar to performance; for man or machine!

August

August saw Handsling expand it's racing legacy by becoming the official bike supplier for the Portuguese Continental team Clube de Ciclismo de Tavira for the 2025 season.

Clube de Ciclismo de Tavira claim to be the oldest professional cycling team in continuous operation and rode Handsling's A1R0evoS and TSTRevo at events like the Volta a Portugal, showcasing both bikes qualities on European roads.

From Portuguese roads to the indoor velodrome in Manchester and the British Cycling Youth & Junior Track Championships. 2025 saw the Junior Keirn title go to Isle of Man resident, Cameron Hounsell. Cameron rode his TR3evo, battling his way through the heats to take his win against more experienced riders. And this despite his relative lack of experience in the event, having ridden it only a handful of times.

September

Late summer and the Volta a Portugal delivered scorching temperatures and fierce competition, but the Handsling‑sponsored AP Hotels & Resorts–Tavira–SC Farense squad rose to the challenge.

Despite receiving a late invite, the team placed riders on the podium or inside the top ten on every stage, earning seven podiums and finishing third in the team classification. A testament to their consistency and to Handsling’s commitment to racing at the highest level.

October

Robbie Jones Wins 2025 Welsh Middle Distance Triathlon Championship. Welsh triathlete and Handsling owner Robbie Jones put his TSTRevo to excellent use this season, claiming victory at the 2025 Welsh Middle Distance Triathlon Championships.

With the bike leg taking place on what he described as a “flat but tricky course, with lots of speed bumps, 90-degree turns, and multiple laps,” Robbie knew it would be a test of focus and handling. Fortunately our TSTRevo isn't just a flat-out speed machine; it also handles well.  Robbie put those attributes to good use by posting the fastest bike split of the day (2:16:30) at an average speed of 39.4 km/h, and building nearly a five-minute lead.

November

After much anticipation, November marked the launch of the A1R0evoG, a gravel bike born from the DNA of our acclaimed A1R0evo and CEXevo frames.

Designed in‑house and built using our own moulds, the A1R0evoG was tested to destruction in the factory before months of real‑world testing on and off‑road. After extensive compatibility checks with groupsets, wheels, tyres, and customisation options, the A1R0evoG was finally ready.

The result? A versatile, high‑performance machine built for everything from elite UCI gravel racing to multi‑day bikepacking adventures. Judging by how quickly the first batch sold out, Handsling riders agree.

Take a look at the A1R0evoG here and let's start building yours now.

December

As 2025 came to an end, Handsling confirmed its role as title sponsor and official frame supplier for the elite men’s team JAKROO Handsling Racing.

In 2026, the team will target the National Road Series, National Criterium Series, major domestic events, and selected UCI 1.2 and 2.2 races across Europe, all aboard the A1R0evoS, the lighter, sharper evolution of the A1R0evo.

Simon Whiten said of the partnership: “We’re immensely proud to be headline sponsor and frame supplier to JAKROO Handsling Racing. Handsling was founded ten years ago to produce frames for a UK race team, so our roots are very much in the domestic scene. Supporting a men’s elite team is a natural progression and reflects our growth as a leading British cycling brand.”

We can’t wait to see what the team achieves in 2026 and we hope you’ll be following along too.

Here's to 2026

As we wrap up an unforgettable year for Handsling, we want to thank every rider, customer, and supporter who has been part of our journey. Your passion, your stories, and your miles are what drive us forward. We can’t wait to see where your Handsling takes you in 2026, whether it’s a race win, a personal challenge, or an adventure you’ve been dreaming about.

From all of us at Handsling, we wish you a very happy New Year. Here’s to smooth roads, fast trails, and the kind of rides we’ll be proud to feature in next year’s news blog.