A WILTSHIRE College & University Centre student has been selected from more than 100 riders to be part of the prestigious ŠKODA Driver’s Seat Initiative (DSI) Cycling Academy.

Maddi Aldam-Gates, 18, from Trowbridge, is studying an art foundation course at Trowbridge College before taking up a place at Durham University in October.

She will join Academy principal, Dame Sarah Storey and complete the university-style programme that aims to provide ambitious female cyclists, aged between 17-22, with a route to the elite level of the sport.

Maddi said: “I’m literally over the moon, so pleased. I was just happy to be chosen for the testing day and never expected to be selected.

"I love the diversity of cycling and cannot wait to see what the Academy has in store for me.”

A keen club swimmer, training five days a week, Miss Aldam-Gates only took up cycling during the first lockdown when the pools closed, and she needed to find a new sporting focus.

She said: “I’ve been a swimmer at Bradford on Avon Swimming Club since I was 11 years old and most recently at Team Bath Academy Swimming, training five days a week.

“When the pools closed during lockdown, I needed to find something to fill the void.

“My dad is a keen cyclist, he encouraged me to get on a bike and I quickly caught the cycling bug.

“I started off by borrowing his winter training bike and I now borrow his slightly lighter bike, more suited to my training rides.

“With my selection for the ŠKODA Cycling Academy I might need to start thinking about investing in a road bike all of my own!”

The former John Of Gaunt School pupil is one of four new riders to join the Academy. She is a member of both Bath Cycling Club and Bradford on Avon Cycling Club.

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.

Maddi 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: “Maddi set herself apart from the moment she arrived because it was clear she had planned meticulously and rehearsed what she would do to get the best out of the tests.

“Her recovery between the tests was exceptional and she excelled on the road bike test, far exceeding my expectations for someone who had only started cycling just over a year ago.

“Having only started cycling during the first lockdown, when pools closed, it was clear she has really researched the sport and is eager to continue to improve and experience the processes cycling has to offer.

“As an ex-swimmer myself, I am excited to help develop her across the disciplines she tries and help her find the next steps for her sporting career.”

The Academy programme will provide Maddi 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.

Miss Aldam-Gates 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.

Maddi 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.

ŠKODA started life as a bicycle company in 1895 and the brand continues to honour its heritage.

In tandem with its headline sponsorship of key events in the cycling calendar, ŠKODA is championing gender equality in the professional tour series.