Cycling is not just a sport—it’s a lifestyle, a passion, and for Gina Ball, a career that she’s shaped with determination and ingenuity. As the current manager of Spectra Racing, a multi-gender, multi-disciplinary cycling team, Gina has earned her stripes in the industry through a combination of grit, resourcefulness, and love for the sport.
In this post, we take a closer look at Gina’s unique journey into the world of cycling and how she went from an intern at a cycling events company to managing one of the most diverse cycling teams in the UK...
A Start in Events and PR
Before taking on the challenge of managing Spectra Racing, Gina’s career began in an entirely different corner of the cycling world—events management. Gina’s first major role was with SweetSpot, the company behind some of the UK’s biggest cycling events, including The Women’s Tour and The Tour of Britain.
“I started my cycling career in the events department, working for SweetSpot, organising The Women’s Tour and The Tour of Britain,” Gina recalls. “I did an internship in the PR and marketing department while I was still in university, and that’s where it all started.”
It was an experience that would define much of Gina’s career. Being involved in the high-stakes world of event management not only gave her insight into the logistical side of cycling but also taught her essential skills in PR, social media, and sponsorships.
Applying the Skills to Team Management
Gina’s time with SweetSpot provided her with invaluable experience that she still draws on today. As she explains, it wasn’t just about managing the logistics of events—it was about understanding how to market and sell a team to potential sponsors, something she’s carried into her role with Spectra Racing.
“When I was at SweetSpot, I was in charge of live social media coverage for the events. I’d do race updates on Instagram using just my phone, and that’s something I carried over when I started managing the team,” she says.
In the early days of Spectra Racing, Gina took a similarly hands-on approach, applying her social media expertise to keep fans updated on races in real-time. Over time, as the team grew, she took on additional roles—like becoming the team’s de facto photographer and focusing on post-race reports, further showcasing her versatility and commitment to the sport.
Learning Through Every Role
Before joining Spectra Racing, Gina worked in SweetSpot’s partnerships department, learning the art of pitching to sponsors and securing valuable partnerships—skills she now uses to support the team’s growth. Gina is no stranger to handling large-scale sponsorships, having asked for six-figure sums in her previous role, though her current focus is on providing more value for smaller sponsors.
“At SweetSpot, I was asking for hundreds of thousands of pounds, but now it’s about finding sponsors who believe in the team and want to grow with us. We want to provide more value to our sponsors and give them a real return on investment.”
These experiences equipped Gina with the ability to wear many hats as Spectra Racing’s manager. Whether it’s handling social media, logistics, or sponsorship proposals, Gina’s multi-faceted background allows her to take on a diverse set of responsibilities and ensure the team is operating smoothly.
Joining Spectra Racing
In 2022, Gina’s involvement with Spectra Racing took a new turn. Initially brought in to handle the team’s marketing efforts, Gina quickly became an integral part of its management structure, working alongside co-owner Josh to build and develop the team into what it is today.
“When I joined Spectra, the team had only been around for three months,” Gina explains. “I started with marketing, but over time Josh and I decided to take the team in the direction we wanted to. We now run the team together, but I’ve definitely taken on the ‘boss’ role, telling Josh what to do!” she adds with a laugh.
Spectra Racing has grown significantly since those early days, with Gina overseeing every aspect of the team’s management, from race logistics to partnership development. Despite the challenges, her passion for the team and the sport remains unwavering.
A Lifelong Passion for Cycling
While Gina’s professional involvement in cycling is impressive, her personal love for the sport runs deep. “I used to ride a lot with my friends in secondary school—we’d go out after school every day when the weather was good. I never raced myself, but I’ve always loved cycling,” she says.
These days, Gina admits she doesn’t get to ride as much as she’d like, being busy with managing the team. But she still tries to get out on her bike when she can, especially when she’s with the team at training camps or during race weekends.
Gina Ball’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and continuous learning. From her early days in PR to her current role as team manager, she’s brought her unique skills and experiences to bear, building Spectra Racing into a successful and growing team. In our next post, we’ll explore the challenges and joys of managing a multi-gender, multi-disciplinary cycling team, and how Gina and her team balance it all.
Stay tuned for more insights into Gina’s incredible journey and the world of professional cycling!
