Since its launch in 2019, the Skoda Drivers Seat Initiative (DSI) Cycling Academy, under the guidance of Britain's most successful Paralympian, Sarah Streie (Story Racing), has been providing female cyclists aged 17-22 with an elite-level sporting It has provided a pathway to the It currently has four recent graduates, Morgan Newbury, Rebecca Richards, Megan Dickerson, and Lucy Elmore, each signed with a cycling team and moving forward in their fledgling careers.

"I am pleased that each of the Academy athletes has made significant progress during their time at the Skoda DSI Cycling Academy and have taken major steps forward in their cycling careers," said Story. [It has been a true honor to work with such passionate individuals who are committed to improving their performance both on and off the bike, and I wish them all the best in their next steps. I wish them all the best in their next steps."

Accepted into the Academy after a rigorous testing day among 17 other candidates, Newberry, Richards, Dickerson, and Elmore experienced the life of a professional cyclist, learned about performance, nutrition, and media, and enjoyed the Women's Tour, Tour of Britain, and Tour Series, and enjoyed the experience of riding in the Series.

For Newberry, these studies complemented her master's degree in physiology and nutrition from Loughborough University. On the bike, she competes in both able-bodied and paracycling races as a C5 paracyclist, and through the Academy program, her bike has undergone the same modifications as Story to make it more efficient.

"I've been on a three-year journey with the Academy. Thanks to Dame Sarah and Skoda, I have progressed from a novice club rider to being on a major cycling team."

Now, the 22-year-old from Leicester will join his mentors at Storey Racing and compete in the National Road Series, while aiming to participate in next year's Para World Cup road race and time trial.

"The Paris Paralympics in 2024 are definitely on my radar. Who better to lead Team GB than the greatest Paralympian of all time?

Richards, a 23-year-old from Newark, will also join Story Racing next year, competing in national road race, circuit, and time trial series. Reflecting on his time at the academy, Richards says his experience on the ride "was all about accomplishment. Riding the 140-mile stage of the Tour de France a day earlier than the men's peloton, with Els in the International, was a huge benefit"

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Meanwhile, Dickerson and Elmore chose to combine cycling with other careers. Dickerson joined FTP Racing and will pursue these goals alongside his full-time job at a digital social media agency, with his sights set on the national time trial and road racing next season.

"I am thrilled to join FTP Racing, a strong team of female riders, and to step up to the next level," said the 25-year-old from Bristol.

"The Academy riders are all great friends and I look forward to competing against them in the near future."

Similarly, Elmore, who is only 18, plans to take a year off from academics to focus on cycling, "balancing my job at the local police treatment center and riding for the Pro Noctis team." Her goal seems to be a criterium race where "the large crowds create a great atmosphere and buzz."