'I felt like I was the strongest' – Kate Richardson scores first win of 2026 at Tour of the Reservoir

Kate Richardson secured her first victory of the 2026 season at the Tour of the Reservoir, a challenging 96km race featuring significant elevation in the North Pennines. Representing Handsling Alba Development, Richardson launched a decisive attack on the final climb and capitalised on a tailwind to maintain a solo lead, crossing the finish line 17 seconds ahead of her rivals. The win was the result of a strategic plan devised with her teammates, who ensured numerical superiority in the breakaway group, a tactic that proved crucial against a smaller DAS-Hutchinson squad. Richardson’s triumph was underpinned by strong team tactics and her own confidence in her form. With three riders in the leading group of seven, Handsling Alba controlled the race dynamics effectively. Richardson explained that she felt powerful on the day and chose to commit to a solo move rather than risk a sprint finish, where she would have been competitive but preferred to take the initiative. The nature of the course, with limited visibility behind her, meant she had to trust her strength and commitment to the break. A former Lincoln GP winner and European team pursuit champion, Richardson has been honing her skills in high-level UCI races across Belgium and France this season, consistently placing in the top 10. She described this season as her most consistent yet, with the recent victory providing a boost to her confidence and confirming her good form. Looking ahead, Richardson is targeting the British Road Championships in June, where she aims to measure herself against the country’s best riders, having previously won the circuit race title. Beyond the domestic scene, Richardson has her sights set on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this August, where she will represent Scotland on the track in her hometown. Reflecting on her journey, she recalled how the 2014 Commonwealth Games inspired her sporting career from a young age, marking a full-circle moment as she now competes on the same stage. With her season progressing positively, Richardson remains optimistic about building on her success in the months ahead.