CYCLING star Beth Crumpton has been given a huge boost for 2016 after being selected for a scholarship programme by professional women's team Podium Ambition.

The not-for-profit company, set up by Dame Sarah and Barney Storey in 2013, has confirmed a six-strong team of female riders.

The project will be made up of three over-23s and three under-23s/juniors to ensure that there is equal chance for riders of any age to progress and reach their potential.

Racing in the colours of the Boot Out Breast Cancer Cycling Club, Crumpton will ride in the under-23/junior category along with Bethany Taylor and Monica Hope Dew.

Despite her youth, Crumpton is an experienced rider and is the current under 23 National Cross Country Mountain Bike Champion who competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Team England.

She said: "This is something I am really excited about as it is giving me the opportunity to race in a team environment for the first time since being a junior.

"Even more exciting it is being run under Sarah Storey's management who is a multi Paralympic champion, who's experience and motivation to help develop riders to move up the ranks to professional level is brilliant."

"I can't wait to get stuck in to some road races with the team next year to develop me as a road rider and help towards my mountain bike career as well."

The creation of the programme falls in alongside the Storey’s vision for a viable development option for British women, who wish to pursue a career as a road professional.

The scholars will have numerous benefits including a close relationship with the riders of the professional team they aspire to.

“We didn’t want to create a pro team development squad that would be defined and limited in their racing according to what the professional team were doing," said Dame Sarah Storey.

"A true path from UK racing to the UCI peloton allows the developing riders the autonomy to have their own programme and race plans, so by creating a Scholarship Programme, that races as a different team, we can ensure that everyone is well looked after and supported with their individual needs and everyone gets access to as much racing as needed to progress.”