Performance Cycling
Loughborough University offers an exceptional opportunity for cyclists and para-cyclists to pursue elite performance while earning a prestigious degree.
Loughborough Cycling Academy (LCA)
The Loughborough Cycling Academy provides a dedicated pathway for talented riders to combine academic success with high-performance cycling. Whether your goal is to race professionally or push your limits, LCA offers the coaching, facilities, and support to help you succeed, on and off the bike.
With a performance-driven, athlete-focused approach, every rider is supported by a team of experts across disciplines, ensuring a fully integrated training and development experience. Our campus fosters a strong team culture, where athletes train and grow together in a high-performance environment.
Development Squads – Endurance and Sprint
Our Development Squads bridge the gap between the Athletic Union Cycling Club and the Loughborough Cycling Academy.
Led by students and supported with coaching and strength and conditioning sessions, these squads are designed to help you build the foundations for elite cycling. Riders who excel may be invited to LCA sessions and could progress into the Academy squad.
Loughborough Lightning
Loughborough Lightning, our elite women’s development team is based here at the university.
Competing at the top level of UK domestic cycling, including the National Road Series, Circuit Series, and selected UCI events, Lightning provides a high-level platform for riders aiming to break into the international scene.
Para-Cycling
Para cyclists are integrated into our Performance Programme across all of the cycling disciplines. Coaching and performance benefits are delivered by our coach, Max Holgate, and athletes benefit from the expertise of our support staff as well as having access to our cycling performance centre for indoor training.
Benefits
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The team at Loughborough truly is world class. I’ve never failed to feel supported on and off the bike and it’s not only made me a better cyclist but a better person all around.
Coaching staff
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Dr Dave Nicholls
PhD Programme Manager and Lightning Team Manager
Dave has formerly raced at international level and has worked as a coach and sport scientist within the World Tour. He has a PhD in environmental exercise physiology, specialising in the use of heat and altitude to enhance cycling performance.
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Paddy Harrison
Track Coach
Paddy works across the endurance squad and Lightning race team. He is currently completing a PhD examining the physiological adaptations to training volume and intensity.
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Dr Hayden Allen
PhD Endurance Coach
An expert in exercise physiology and performance, having previously worked with the British Paralympic cycling team.
Prospective students
If you are thinking about studying at Loughborough University and joining the Loughborough Cycling Academy, please register your interest.
If you have received an offer to study at Loughborough University at undergraduate, post-graduate or PhD level, or affiliated degree at Loughborough College, or are re-applying, you can apply now.
Non-students applying for the Lightning race team should so directly through the Loughborough Lightning Application Form.
The application forms are regularly monitored and someone from the cycling programme will respond to you as soon as possible.