​Loughborough Lightning Cycling

Loughborough Lightning is one of the UK's leading women cycling teams.

Loughborough Lightning is the women’s elite national road team based at Loughborough University, comprised of both current student-athletes and and non-university riders. We are competing at top UK domestic level in the national road, circuit and tour series, and competed in several UCI races in Belgium and Italy in the 2023 season. Loughborough University underpinned its commitment to women’s sport with the launch of the new Lightning Cycling franchise in 2021.

British Cycling

Elite Development Team

Dave Nichols

“The path to the pinnacle of world sport is not an easy one for any aspiring young athlete. For too long cycling culture has held the dogmatic belief that elite cycling and higher education are not compatible, and that talented young people must choose between education and sporting careers. I have no hesitation in saying that what we are doing at Loughborough University is ground-breaking, culture-challenging, and paradigm-shifting. Through Loughborough Lightning we are re-engineering the fabrics of how cycling teams of the future will operate. With the creation of the new Women’s Tour de France, there has never been a more exciting time to be pushing the boundaries of possibilities for women's sport on the world stage, backed by world-leading research, development and innovation at Loughborough University.”

Dr Dave Nichols Team Manager

Join the team

Lightning Cycling is open to both Loughborough University students and non-students. 

Current or prospective students should apply through the Loughborough Cycling Academy application form.

All other applicants should apply through the link below, and send a copy of their cycling CV to d.nichols@lboro.ac.uk.

Applications for the 2024 season are now open.

Apply here for 2023 season
Play

Loughborough Lightning merchandise

Make sure you look the part whilst watching Loughborough Lightning this season in our brand new merchandise range. With vibrant coloured hoodies and replica tops, you will feel part of the Lightning family instantly.

Shop Lightning merchandise Buy Lightning tickets

Club Sponsor