Women in Focus, A Portrait Series
- Erin Carroll
- Jul 26
- 7 min read
Women in Focus, a content series written by Erin Carroll at Alba Optics, caught my eye when it gave the spotlight to 5 incredible women, some I know, some I don't, all amazing. Not only are their stories unique and superbly interesting, but the illustrations by the super talented Tiziano Lettieri really bring it all to life. As a rider, I've been wearing Alba Optics for close to 10 years, and what I've always loved about the brand is their approach not only to product but to life. Full of joy, energy, creativity and love and that comes through in everything they do, especially in portraits like this one. So thanks to Alba, thanks to PG and Luca for their support and their friendship over the years and thanks for Erin for agreeing to let me reshare this beautiful story in the pages of our community. I hope you enjoy it
Miles, CCC Founder
ILLUSTRATIONS: @tiziole
WORDS: Erin Carroll
LOCATIONS: Netherlands, Australia, Thailand, USA, Italy
Women in Focus was originally published by Alba Optics, read the original article here
Women in Focus, a portrait series. 5 women, 5 stories — rewriting the rules, turning the 9-5 on its head and building a career around the sport they love. These past months, we spoke to five female pioneers from within the Alba Optics family to share their unique experiences of the cycling industry: Iris Slappendel, Rebecca Henderson, Unchale Khakkana, Timia Porter and Virginia Cancellieri. Paving the way for a new generation of cyclists, we hope their voices inspire others to swing big, make waves and lean in for the ride.
Iris Slappendel / Founder of @i_ris.cc / Co-founder of the Cyclists Alliance / Ex pro-cyclist
A powerhouse in the European cycling industry, after 13 years of professional road racing, Iris Slappendel made the transition to designer, creating her own label IRIS: high-quality cycling apparel dedicated to female cyclists. Reflecting a more relaxed and inclusive approach to the sport, allowing women to be unapologetically themselves on the bike.
“I wanted to carve my path, free from the limitations of existing brands. Starting small with just a hundred jerseys and bib shorts, I sought to create something different that truly represented the essence of cycling for women — to break down barriers and create a brand that celebrates diversity, individuality, and colourful confidence.”
While there remains many hurdles for women in sports, there has been significant progress since her retirement. More races are being televised, generating more interest from sponsors and therefore better economic opportunities for the riders — Iris herself a regular TV commentator covering big races such as the Tour de Femmes.
“I feel like there has been important social change empowering women to speak up and ask for more. Something we have always deserved, but it hasn’t been so easy. For years people didn’t find it strange that we received a fraction of the prize money that our male colleagues did. Social conversations have increased the pressure from inside the peloton, as from the industry, for stakeholders to step up their game.”
Her mantra? “If you’re afraid to lose, you’ll never win. Sometimes you just have to follow your gut and not choose the safe and predictable path. Take a big leap, attack when nobody expects it and dare to fail. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But failing is never as bad as not trying.”
Rebecca Henderson / Pro MTB XCO / World Cup Winner / National Champion / Olympian
Recently winning her 21st national title, Australian mountain biker Rebecca Henderson grew up with sports in her blood, a natural talent that guided her path to a professional career, whether she knew it at the time or not.
“I was always such a sporty and competitive kid. At around 10 I started to ride mountain bikes with my Dad and older brother, and the sport captured my heart. I think for the family element, the trips we went on to go to races, the general friendly nature of the sport, but also, because I was good at it. I’d race the boys because there wasn’t enough girls — and most often I would beat them.
At such a young age I never thought about it being a career. I didn’t dream to be a professional, it was just a progression. I constantly had the desire to improve and my small consistent improvements is what put bigger goals on my radar.”
An important voice for this generation of athletes, Bec is an open book on topics such as mental health and the reality of this lifestyle — the highs and the lows of this career choice. Using her platform to speak out on issues that affect not only herself and her peers, but also damage the sport itself.
In the midst of recovering from a recent shoulder and thumb fracture that halted her UCI World Series start, Warner Bros. Discovery reduced the UCI XCO podium from five riders, to three. In a few short days, Bec and her peers bravely rallied a petition signed by over 100 pro MTB athletes and teams protesting the call.
“It’s a privilege to chase something that sets your soul on fire. Having been in the sport for so many years my best mentors and closest people are the girls I’m racing alongside. At the Tokyo Olympics I was lined up beside my friend and a minute before the start she leans over and quietly said to me ‘I believe in you’… 90 minutes later she won the race and she left me with a moment I will never forget.”
Timia Porter / Community Leader / Mother / Business Mentor
When we talk about community and nurturing diversity in sports, Timia Porter is a profile that always comes to mind. An emerging figurehead in the thriving Los Angeles cycling scene, she discovered cycling in 2020, as a sanctuary after surviving an emotionally abusive relationship. Movement felt like freedom, sweat felt like release — it brought her back to life.
“LA’s cycling community met me with contrast: fast-paced and fierce, yes — but also sacred in the way it holds space for reinvention, especially in the smaller, less visible corners where women of colour show up for each other without needing to perform. We ride for joy. For survival. For our kids. For each other. I fell in love with this messy, vibrant, rebellious ecosystem that said, You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep showing up.”
Timia leans into her own experiences of breaking into the cycling scene when mentoring others. It’s advice that is more relevant than ever in our current climate, where traditional and conservative views challenge any progress made.
“There’s a certain heartbreak that comes with being in love with an industry that hasn’t always loved you back. I’ve walked into rooms where my ideas were dismissed, my identity diluted, and my labour absorbed without acknowledgement. As a Black woman, as someone with ADHD, I’ve often felt like I had to do twice the work just to be seen as “professional” or “serious.” I’ve had moments where I questioned whether I belonged at all. But here’s the truth: I do. And so do you.
If you’re starting out in this space — don’t wait for someone to grant you access. Make your own blueprint. Let your difference be your advantage. Let your joy be your protest. This work will demand your heart, so protect it. Connect with people who see you, not just your potential. And don’t let anyone convince you that being multi-layered makes you scattered. It makes you expansive. That’s your power.”
Unchale Khakkana / Artist / Founder of @unchalestore
The name UNCHALE and her colourful, quirky illustrations seen across social media, collaborations and cycling apparel, is synonymous with the Bangkok cycling scene. Finding self-empowerment by her voice, both that of an artist and a female cyclist, Unchale brings to life an idea to live fully and with freedom.
“I came into the scene thanks to a local cycling influencer, Muzcali. It was around 7 years ago, and she had such a strong presence even then; she inspired me like crazy and is still one of my biggest inspirations. Soon after, my new hobby crossed into my art and I created the character of a short-haired, sincere girl named Unchale. An extension of myself, an artistic expression that comes straight from the heart.”
Pedalling with no destination, allowing your mind to wander and letting go of your thoughts — moments of pain, self-reflection, a space to think things through. Like many cyclists, the relationship Unchale has with cycling is an exchange of essential energies.
“Nature gives a sense of freedom. Often, I take the positive feelings from cycling and use them as inspiration for my drawings. Art broadens our personal world, arising from the desire to convey my knowledge through my work — in contexts where words cannot fully express it. Pouring my emotions into the lines, colours, proportions, and poses — in the context of today’s society.
If you have a passion for something that makes you happy, remember you only live this life once. Devote yourself to it wholeheartedly. I believe that 10,000 hours of practice will always lead to transformation in that pursuit — learning from mistakes, accumulating experience, and at times, adjusting to change. Don’t take things too seriously that you can’t control.”
Virginia Cancellieri / Cyclist / Surfer/ Skatergirl / Content Creator / Traveller @virginiacancellieri
A talented cyclist across multiple disciplines, Virginia has been clipped in and coasting the picturesque roads of her hometown Finale Ligure since the age of 12. She’s built a life around travelling to beautiful places and collecting memories by means of her van — partnering with respected industry brands to create original content, allowing her the freedom to work and travel to some of the world’s most iconic cycling destinations.
“I’ve been travelling in a camper since a young age, my parents owned one and I spent my summers on four wheels. You can reach any destination that fascinates you, choose which activities to do, eat what you prefer. The passion for van life has always been rooted in me, precisely for this possibility of discovering the world more slowly, giving importance to the fascinating details of the route as much as those of the final destination.
I have always been struck by the closeness that this way of traveling allows me to have with nature. You can stop in remote places and submerged by vegetation, admiring a landscape or listening to the sound of nature that surrounds you. Or you can journey through very crowded places, fully immerse yourself in the culture of a country, its food, its language, and meet people who will stay in your heart.”
With her favourite locations including The Pyrenees, The Canary Islands and Basque coast, in 2024 Virginia covered over 80,000km in her little VW van, creating a network of connections with people from all over the world. Returning home to her base in Finale Ligure regularly, to rest, regroup and reconnect with loved ones. An essential ritual that offers stability, when ironically “van life” can at times be the contrary… “fortunately or unfortunately, it depends on your point of view.”
Illustrations by @tiziole (Tiziano Lettieri)
This article was originally published by Alba Optics, for Anvma Project
Comments