Eilidh Shaw is a recipient of a Braveheart Fund award for 2024 in recognition of the tremendous return to winning form following a 2023 season hampered by health problems, as well as the obvious potential this 19 year-old Airdrie-based rider has demonstrated; winning this season’s National Road Series title and National Criterium Circuit Series title, as well as being selected to represent Great Britain U23 at the Tour de L’Avenir.

Riding with the Alba Development Road team has provided Eilidh with valuable exposure to the highest level of UCI races in Europe and has brought her experience and confidence up to new levels – as her UCI podiums in the Czech Republic at the Tour de Feminin show, she’s going from strength to strength.

You used to take part in triathlons as a youngster, is that where you discovered your love of the bike?

“I come from a sporty family and background and took part in a variety of sports when I was younger. I did a bit of cycling, running, swimming, karate and netball.

“I began to run out of hours in the week to fit them all in and eventually narrowed it down to cycling as I enjoyed it the most.”

 Your first club was the Royal Albert?

“Yes, my first club was the Royal Albert, I rode with the youth section of the club which was known as the “Clydesdale Colts”.

“Every Saturday morning my brother and I would take part in the club’s mountain bike rides through Chatelherault Country Park.

“I remember it being great fun bouncing about all the trails and finishing at the café for a tasty treat.”

Then you moved to Stirling Bike Club before joining the Edinburgh Road Club? Why the move eastwards?

“The Clydesdale Colts was mainly a mountain bike club and I was really keen on riding the road.

“Stirling Bike Club was great for weekend club rides and chaingangs.

“I became more focused on racing and moved to ERC as their Youth and Junior sections provided race support.”

After ERC you joined the Tofauti Everyone Active setup – what did that move mean for you?

“Making the transition from riding for my local club to Tofauti Everyone Active was an exciting step up.

“At the time, Tofauti Everyone Active was one of the few junior teams in the UK that supported the whole UK calendar and offered racing opportunities overseas.

“I remember the support and set up feeling professional; I learned a lot throughout my two years as a Junior on the team and I’m grateful that I was exposed to high level racing at a young age.” 

What’s your best memory of your racing though to leaving the junior ranks?

“Some of my best memories as a junior are when I competed in the Nations Cups for Team GB.

“I got to travel throughout Europe, and experience some of the highest level of junior competition.

“Securing a GC victory in the Junior Tour of the Mendips was another highlight of my Junior racing.”

Now a senior rider at the start of 2023 you joined Bob Lyons’ Alba Road Development Team, a good move with the outfit promising big things, and suddenly you moved up to some elite races?

“The jump for youth and junior to senior level was big! Larger bunches, double the race distances and all-round higher level of racing.

“My first-year with the seniors was about learning and gaining lots of experience while getting stuck in.

“I enjoyed the step-up and I loved seeing progression; making small goals in each race helped make the jump seem not as overwhelming.”

Last season you had to overcome iliac artery endofibrosis. What is that and how did you go about rehabilitation from it?

“I was diagnosed with Iliac Artery Endofibrosis in late 2022.

“The condition is a vascular issue, where blood flow to the leg is reduced and is severely impacted during high intensity exercise.

“I underwent surgery in 2023 to repair the injury which required a long period of time off the bike.

“I was really fortunate to have the support from Scottish Cycling throughout the whole process – my rehab was closely monitored and carefully structured which allowed to me get back to full health.”

Your rehab was successful and you won the Scottish Road Race and Scottish Circuit Race Championships not long after getting back to racing, a superb recovery.

“It was an amazing feeling to win those Scottish titles.

“I was incredibly happy to be racing without any leg problems and that the surgery and long recovery process had been successful.”

You’ve enjoyed a brilliant start to 2024 with runner-up finishes at the opening two rounds of the British Road Series, the ANEXO/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic and the East Cleveland Classic, putting you into the Series leader’s jersey. You’ve been getting to some great races with Alba, what’s been a favourite trip and race?

“Alba have provided amazing racing opportunities this year for which I am very grateful.

“I really enjoyed the early season Belgium Kermesses, a favourite being Antwerp Port Epic. This race was similar to Paris-Roubaix, almost having the same number of kilometres of cobbles as smooth tarmac!

“Another highlight was my first UCI podiums in the Czech Republic at the Tour de Feminin. 

“The team’s support has been incredible, and I have had an enjoyable year with a great group of teammates.”

How have you used the Braveheart Fund support this season? How much has it helped?

“The Braveheart Fund has helped me massively this season.

“It has provided support for training camps that have been key preparation for races, one of which was in France where I was able to get some hot weather training and lots of climbing in before the Tour de L’Avenir and Tour of the Ardèche.”

What type of rider would you characterise yourself as?

“I think my strength lies within the punchy parcours, but I would like to develop as an all-around rider and see where it takes me.”

What’s your targets for the rest of the season?

“My road season has finished now so I have a bit of an off-season then I’ll be racing track at the London 3-Day, which I am really looking forward to.” 

Lastly Eilidh, what’s your ultimate goal?  

“My own motive and goal is to become a World Tour rider, to make a career and become one of the best riders in the world.

“I would also like to compete in all of the major championships including some of my own favourite races like Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.”