Olympic Champion Lily Williams Joins UAE L’IMAD on Two-Year Deal

American Olympic champion Lily Williams will join UAE L’IMAD in 2027 on a two-year deal as the 31-year-old makes the first team switch of her racing career.

Williams will leave Human Powered Health after racing her entire road career with the U.S. team to move to one of the strongest squads in the women’s peloton.

The Marseille-based American brings her track pedigree to UAE as an Olympic champion in team pursuit along with her solid road racing skills.

“I have been on the same team for my entire career up until this point,” Williams said. “I started cycling after a career in running, and I needed time to build the skills and race knowledge as a rider before I was ready to make a step to a top team. Now I am 100 percent prepared to be a key rider in a lineup that is capable of winning monuments and grand tours alike.”

Williams, 32, says the switch will help her take a step up after several seasons racing in Europe.

Making a big move

Williams has finished second on a stage of the Giro d’Italia Women and third at Nokere Koerse, and is a versatile rider across one-days and stage races. She can also work as a lead-out rider in the bunch sprints as well as ride into breakaways.

“Now that I will be on one of the world’s top teams I expect that I will have the support and resources to make another jump in my career, and I expect to be in more selections fighting for the win or attacking with a teammate,” she said.

Team president Melissa Moncada said UAE believes Williams still has room to develop.

“We are confident that our team will provide her with the right tools to continue her journey in the world of cycling in the best possible way,” Moncada said.