University of Stirling cyclist selected for international esports squad

University of Stirling student and cyclist, Becky Storrie, has been selected for an elite global virtual racing squad, taking her to the highest tier of cycling esports competition in the world. 

The 22-year-old is one of eight international riders to be selected so far to be part of the first virtual cycling squad created by a UCI WorldTour or Women’s WorldTour-licensed organisation for the 2021 season.  

E-racing has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, particularly since the start of the pandemic, with millions of people tuning in to watch live races on YouTube, marking a new era for the sport.  

After a selection process spanning more than one month against 2,000 riders worldwide, Becky is now part of the Movistar eTeam, with each member of the squad immediately entering the Premier Division of the Zwift Racing League. 

Becky, 22, made the transition from elite triathlon to cycling three years ago and in her short time in the sport, has gone on to win the Scottish Hill Climb Championships 2019 in a course record time, Individual TT at the Gibraltar International Island Games 2019 and CTT British U23 Hill Climb Championships 2020, including third overall in the senior women's category. 

Becky said: “It is a privilege to be a member of the team and a Movistar ambassador. It is an amazing thing to be a part of and be involved in and it is nice to see that eRacing is getting the recognition it deserves. It is a credit to Movistar for creating such opportunities for not only experienced riders but also young, developing riders like myself. I am looking forward to getting stuck into some racing – I will be sure to give it my all and savour every moment of it.” 

Alongside joining the line-up for Movistar eTeam, 2021 has seen the young sportswoman sign for a British elite women's cycling team where she plans to continue developing more experience in the British peloton. 

The fourth year Psychology and Sport Studies student from the Isle of Man is part of Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high performance sports programmes in the UK and has her eyes set on qualifying for the road race and time trail events at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Juan Pablo Molinero, CMO of the Movistar Team: “The Movistar eTeam is happily real now. Virtual cycling is an activity which combines sport and entertainment, effort and fun. Movistar Team, the longest-standing structure in the pro peloton, couldn’t be other than the first to create its own esports squad. And we’ve now got most of the roster ready. The faces of happiness and the words of commitment by the new riders of the Movistar eTeam, passion for cycling running through their veins, make us feel the gamble, as audacious as it has to be when you’re the first at something, is the right step. The Movistar eTeam will be a turning point for our team and become a reference for cycling, which must continue seeking for new horizons and audiences.”