{"id":2118250,"date":"2026-08-29T08:07:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T05:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2118250"},"modified":"2026-08-29T08:07:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T05:07:34","slug":"a-lost-season-cobbled-and-track-triumphs-and-battles-with-wiebes-the-story-behind-lara-gillespies-rapid-rise-to-the-top","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2118250","title":{"rendered":"A lost season, cobbled and track triumphs, and battles with Wiebes \u2013 The story behind Lara Gillespie&#8217;s rapid rise to the top"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-2500-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Kim Le Court-Pienaar comes full circle at Tour of Britain Women to take her first-ever GC victory\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving?\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J8uKRZjC5aJqJmycFda3SU-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J8uKRZjC5aJqJmycFda3SU-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;I&#8217;m making some good developments&#8217; \u2013 Next Dutch sprint star Nienke Veenhoven enjoys best season yet as Maike van der Duin joins her lead-out train\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A lost season, cobbled and track triumphs, and battles with Wiebes \u2013 The story behind Lara Gillespie&#8217;s rapid rise to the top<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-29T08:07:34Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n29 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Coached by sprint royalty and flourishing across disciplines, the Irish racer is just getting started<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Irish national champion Lara Gillespie is one of the peloton&#8217;s promising sprint and C;assics talents<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Jan Kruger\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e7d05068-a0be-11f1-9d39-d12ef4de935e\">The fastwomen of the Women&#8217;s WorldTour peloton are up against it at the moment, with Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes dominating the sprinting landscape and showing few signs of letting up.<\/p>\n<p>At race after race, the same question comes up: &#8216;How to beat her?&#8217; Fans, riders, and directeurs sportifs alike ponder it, and yet no answers present themselves. After all, she&#8217;s on a roll of sprinting results unseen in modern racing.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e7d05068-a0be-11f1-9d39-d12ef4de935e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Irish racer Lara Gillespie is one of her fellow sprinters currently facing that question. But to get where she is today, Gillespie has overcome far more than a single opponent. If her determined climb to the top of the sport is any indication, she&#8217;ll find an answer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After all, Gillespie&#8217;s journey from her first cycling club ride to the Paris Olympic Games spanned less than a decade. While her career included plenty of highs \u2013 including a host of Irish titles across multiple disciplines \u2013 she also faced more than her share of adversity.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Most notably, she suffered years of undiagnosed pain from OHVIRA, a rare gynaecological-renal syndrome, corrected with surgery in early 2022. But then, in the middle of that year, came a torn hamstring, while glandular fever struck in the winter. Taken together, the ailments wiped out a chunk of her 2021 season and most of 2022.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Irish National Championships: Lara Gillespie wins third national road title from breakaway in miserable conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s crazy how much can change in a year&#8217; \u2013 Lauren Dickson&#8217;s remarkable rise from cycling newbie to smashing Grand Tours with Demi Vollering<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I was sick back in 2020 and 2021, I couldn\u2019t even get out of bed; that\u2019s how mentally draining it was. Sport is my life; it\u2019s what makes me feel good, so when I\u2019m not able to do it, it\u2019s really, really hard on my brain, my nervou. s system, my whole body,&#8221; Gillespie told <em>The Irish Times<\/em> back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There was definitely a period when I really didn\u2019t think I\u2019d ever be racing again, so there\u2019s not one day that goes by when I\u2019m not grateful to be back on the bike. Everyone experiences hard times, though, but once things start going good again, you kind of forget about them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since then, her progress has been lightning fast. In 2023, she joined the development programme of UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD, spending less than a year and a half there before moving up to the top-level squad.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s clearly a rider in a hurry and still on the rise.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-she-39-s-developed-into-one-of-the-fastest-sprinters-in-the-world-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;She&#8217;s developed into one of the fastest sprinters in the world&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-fc448052-a102-11f1-b552-5dae0b084580\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s 2024 season saw her break through with a win at the early-season Giro Mediterraneo Rosa stage race in Southern Italy. In May, there was a sprint victory at the part-gravel semi-Classic, the Antwerp Port Epic.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I never imagined it would happen&#8217; \u2013 What does it mean to win your first Tour de France Femmes stage? Two 2025 winners relive their victories<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Lara Gillespie strikes for gold in elite women&#8217;s time trial debut at Irish National Time Trial Championship<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At the time, the win stood as her biggest accomplishment yet, though her Olympic appearances in the omnium, madison, and team pursuit came months later.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The following season brought another rapid step-up as her calendar expanded from just six Women&#8217;s WorldTour race days to 43, including debuts at Paris-Roubaix Femmes and the Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nevertheless, she made an immediate impact in the Classics with three podiums plus a fifth at the Classic Brugge-De Panne and sixth at Gent-Wevelgem.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, she&#8217;s stepped it up once again, winning Le Samyn and placing eighth at Paris-Roubaix. Wiebes has proved a tough nut, as yet uncrackable, but Gillespie is more than pleased with her progress.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c6654aae-a0bf-11f1-986e-754fa00a7555\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie&#8217;s sixth place at Paris-Roubaix ranks among her top performances in a stand-out season <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b1cc0272-a0ce-11f1-8fa5-3de182bcd473\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think just having the consistency \u2013 I really had a good winter and also just having the WorldTour girls around me every time,&#8221; Gillespie told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> about her 2026 campaign at the recent Tour of Britain Women.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;re always showing up with a really strong team in the way we ride. We&#8217;re protecting each other all day, and as a sprinter, that&#8217;s all you really want.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Tour of Britain isn&#8217;t the Tour de France Femmes, but it offered plenty of hills to tackle, with over 7,000 metres of climbing on grippy roads packed into five days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cherie Pridham, her directeur sportif at UAE, noted that races like this will only help her development and growing versatility.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s why we&#8217;re here, you know? I think we&#8217;ve shown that Lara is very versatile. She&#8217;s not just a pure sprinter, but she can also fight on the punchy, small climbs,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> at the end of perhaps the race&#8217;s toughest day, stage 4&#8217;s hilly trek through mid Wales.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She&#8217;s done a lot of teamwork here on the Tour of Britain for GC with Karlijn [Swinkels] and with Eleonora [Gasparrini]. And she came into this race having had some illness before, so we had to manage that.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She was part of our development squad almost two years before she moved up to the Women&#8217;s WorldTour team. We moved her up, and she&#8217;s just progressed. We made a conscious effort to build a team around her for her Classics progress and also, of course, she&#8217;s developed into one of the fastest sprinters in the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"finding-success-across-disciplines-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Finding success across disciplines<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-96067472-a0cf-11f1-9e64-c98cf8372272\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As Pridham pointed out, to reduce Gillespie&#8217;s talents to a simple descriptor \u2013 &#8216;sprinter&#8217;, for example \u2013 is to do her a disservice.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If it wasn&#8217;t clear already, she&#8217;s at home on the cobbles and on the track, where she made history as Ireland&#8217;s first women&#8217;s track world champion by winning the elimination race in Chile last October.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s journey to the rainbow jersey began almost by accident, even if she enjoyed a sport-filled upbringing in the Irish countryside growing up in Enniskerry, in sight of the Wicklow Mountains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Already a keen swimmer and runner, she fell into the sport after trying triathlon for the first time. Soon after, during her Transition Year \u2013 an optional off-curriculum school programme available to teenagers in Ireland \u2013 she joined local road club Orwell Wheelers, initially thinking it was a mountain bike club. Just two years later, she won time trial silver at the European Youth Olympic Festival.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Road, track, mountain, cyclo-cross \u2013 Gillespie seems at ease on any bike and on any surface. For her, switching between disciplines is a privilege and a mental stimulus, rather than an undertaking to fret over.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I love it. I love the switch because, well, for me, I want to get on a different bike every day. Today I want to go on a mountain bike, tomorrow I want to go on a track bike, the next day I&#8217;ll go on the cross bike, and then eventually I&#8217;ll go on the road bike,&#8221; she told Irish sports podcast <em>Off The Ball<\/em> last December.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c6654a40-a0bf-11f1-bdfa-c7c3c7247ade\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie has been a world champion on the track, racing to rainbows in the elimination race last year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Alex Whitehead\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-25de821e-a0c2-11f1-8c55-6b10561e393d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I also like, for example, when I got injured just before the 2025 Tour, and I thought, &#8216;Maybe I can&#8217;t do the Tour,&#8217; mentally I was like, &#8216;Oh, but it&#8217;s OK because I have Track Worlds at the end of the season and I will be fit and healthy for that.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That, mentally, just takes the pressure off because it&#8217;s not the only thing in my life, and it means that if this doesn&#8217;t go well, okay, at least I can focus on this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, she&#8217;s switched effortlessly between disciplines. Barely two weeks after Paris-Roubaix, she was racing at the UCI Track World Cup in Hong Kong. After that, she was back on the road for a Giro d&#8217;Italia debut and a pair of national road titles ahead of a mid-summer track meet in Pordenone, Italy.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having returned to the road at the Tour de Pologne and the Tour of Britain, she&#8217;s now primed to get back to the track.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Towards the end, I&#8217;m focusing more on the track. The Track World Championships are in October. I have a couple more races with the team in September in China, and it&#8217;ll be nice to go for a few sprints there,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;[Switching] worked quite well last year. I get like a month on track before, and then try to speed things up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Looking further ahead, a return to the boards at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 figures among her long-term targets, naturally.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-she-reminds-me-a-lot-of-andre-they-39-re-pure-leaders-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;She reminds me a lot of Andr\u00e9. They&#8217;re pure leaders&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a149e-a0fa-11f1-a070-138dcaf24255\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Gillespie&#8217;s quest to be the best, she&#8217;s already racking up wins and major results.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her consistency has been notable, and she can look back on 16 top-five finishes this year, including seven second places. Those results include a pair of second places at the UAE Tour, and two more behind Elisa Balsamo at the Giro.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Britain there was an early positioning misfire \u2013 &#8220;the girls kept me really safe, but I lost a lot of position in the final kilometre and had to make up a lot of ground in the wind, so I never got to show my power,&#8221; she said of the Blackpool stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But there was another second place too, as she punched ahead of Chiara Consonni at the line in Leamington Spa, a positive outcome given that earlier in the race she noted: &#8220;I had a very bad bout of illness in the last couple of weeks, and I&#8217;ve been on and off antibiotics, so I&#8217;m just kind of taking it day by day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s support squad is a major reason for these successes and the progress she&#8217;s made. That support includes Pridham, the experienced voice in the team car, and a certain Andr\u00e9 Greipel, also part of the backroom staff.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She could scarcely have found a better mentor than the German, who racked up 158 professional wins and stood second only to Mark Cavendish as the defining sprinter of his generation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c66549be-a0bf-11f1-b857-3389fd147be7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">That winning feeling \u2013\u00a0Gillepsie celebrates with her UAE teammates after triumphing on the cobbles of Le Samyn this spring <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Rhode Van Elsen\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a150c-a0fa-11f1-8f48-c329655bd963\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">During the UAE Tour, Greipel praised her rapid development. Speaking to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, the German highlighted how quickly riders like the Irishwoman learn and absorb feedback.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For sure, the men are longer in the sport than some women. [There are] women in the bunch who picked up cycling maybe three years ago, so every day is a teaching process, and they can learn something new,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;They are really open to listen and learn to what a sport director, a trainer or even myself has to say. Also, they are really open to get feedback. I think it is really helpful if you have someone who can tell them in certain scenarios what would be a good idea during the race, and I think this would make the difference now to make the right choices and tactics.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Personality-wise, Gillespie and Greipel are cut from the same cloth, according to Pridham. That alignment has paid off in their work together, with Gillespie and her lead-out train already delivering a string of results to savour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course, we brought in Andr\u00e9 to help us with the sprint lead-out and the sprint coaching, and that made a huge, significant difference to the team and to Lara. And the results were there. I think we came very close to beating Lorena Wiebes at the UAE Tour,&#8221; Pridham said, referring to stage 3 in Abu Dhabi Breakwater, where she came achingly close to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She reminds me a lot of Andr\u00e9. They&#8217;re pure leaders. She&#8217;s growing into that leadership role. She understands what energy she needs to give and the right instructions that she expects from her riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So she&#8217;s quite specific and clear on that, but that takes some time. But she has a lot of trust now from the girls that support her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-you-can-39-t-be-in-the-game-without-believing-that-you-can-win-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;You can&#8217;t be in the game without believing that you can win&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a157a-a0fa-11f1-ad97-1b688a2fc809\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie is growing on and off the bike, and she&#8217;s already achieved plenty. Each year that goes by sees another major accomplishment added to a growing list of them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She marked her return from illness in 2022 with two wins \u2013 the first in eight years by an Irish woman \u2013 at R\u00e1s na mBan, followed by a pair of under-23 European track titles in 2023. The next year brought that Olympic debut and a nomination for Irish Female Athlete of the Year before that track world title last year. Le Samyn is her standout this year \u2013 so far.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With this progress in mind, it&#8217;s crazy to think that just six years ago, Gillespie didn&#8217;t know any of this was even possible.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t even know you could be a professional cyclist until maybe 2020. From a very young age, I remember saying to myself, &#8216;I&#8217;m going to go to the Olympics&#8217;. I had a vision of becoming an Olympic champion, but I didn&#8217;t have cycling in that vision whatsoever,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> earlier this year.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b1cc01f0-a0ce-11f1-80a7-21c008e708e0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie has gone head-to-head with the world&#8217;s top sprinter Lorena Wiebes on numerous occasions this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images))<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a15e8-a0fa-11f1-b9f4-e5820e355a9c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So what lies ahead \u2013 a Women&#8217;s WorldTour win? Beating Wiebes?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Obviously, she&#8217;s the most dominant right now, and you can see she&#8217;s super consistent every time, able to show up regardless of the circumstances,&#8221; Gillespie said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But yeah, I think you can&#8217;t be in the game without believing that you can win. Every time, you have to believe, but it&#8217;s all about executing it in the end, and you need a team to execute it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie harbours the ambition to be where Wiebes is right now \u2013 the dominant force in the peloton, sweeping sprint after sprint and winning major Classics like In Flanders Fields and Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As she put it to <em>Off The Ball<\/em>, &#8220;I want to be the best in the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her rainbow jersey proves she&#8217;s already reached that goal in one sense, if not on the road. However, she told the podcast, &#8220;to me [they&#8217;re] different ideas&#8221; \u2013 it&#8217;s not about a single victory, but a consistency of success, and repetition of those big wins.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For now, reaching that goal will take more work, more progress, more growth. Gillespie has come a long way in a very short period of time, and it&#8217;s far from the end of her story.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We just haven&#8217;t had the right run now for \u2013 like every other team, you know?&#8221; Pridham said of the battles against Wiebes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As she is showing here at the Tour of Britain, she can survive the climbs, and then she&#8217;s almost unbeatable. You need to try to catch her to win. But we&#8217;re very, very proud of Lara&#8217;s progress, and she still has a lot more to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6f07f67a-a0cf-11f1-8ec1-cd05971f1c9d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<p>Track<\/p>\n<p>Tour of Britain Women<\/p>\n<p>UCI Track World Championships<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Teams &amp; Riders<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor before being hired full-time. Her favourite races include the Paris-Roubaix, Tour de France Femmes, Tro-Bro L\u00e9on, and cycling&#8217;s fourth Grand Tour, the Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Irish National Championships: Lara Gillespie wins third national road title from breakaway in miserable conditions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s crazy how much can change in a year&#8217; \u2013 Lauren Dickson&#8217;s remarkable rise from cycling newbie to smashing Grand Tours with Demi Vollering<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I never imagined it would happen&#8217; \u2013 What does it mean to win your first Tour de France Femmes stage? Two 2025 winners relive their victories<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lara Gillespie strikes for gold in elite women&#8217;s time trial debut at Irish National Time Trial Championship<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Motherhood and elite-level sports are entirely compatible&#8217; &#8211; Sandra Alonso targets Paris-Roubaix, returning after childbirth and storming the Spanish club scene<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Former British champion Pfeiffer Georgi ends 8-year Picnic-PostNL spell to join UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Shirin van Anrooij makes &#8216;bold switch&#8217; to Canyon-SRAM, with transfer to come into force before 2026 is over<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kreiz Breizh F\u00e9minin: Loes Adegeest victorious on &#8216;a brutal course&#8217; out sprinting the late breakaway to take a first win of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Italy comes from behind to claim team relay<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Caroline Andersson joins AG Insurance-Soudal in major boost for Kim Le Court-Pienaar&#8217;s support squad \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar just logged the biggest solo victory of his Grand Tour career \u2013 here&#8217;s how it stacks up in his gallery of lone raids<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Groupsets<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The new Shimano Dura-Ace still isn\u2019t wireless, but does it actually matter?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our Incolor SSR review before it goes live<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">La Vuelta, Canada, or elsewhere \u2013 Where are the men&#8217;s stars riding in preparation for the Road World Championships?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u9UuYeqv9RGqM23uTbJXx9-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u9UuYeqv9RGqM23uTbJXx9-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u9UuYeqv9RGqM23uTbJXx9-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u9UuYeqv9RGqM23uTbJXx9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;A good day to try something&#8217; &#8211; Felix Gall upbeat after aggressive final ascent at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I wasn&#8217;t angry at all&#8217; &#8211; Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a leader Tadej Poga\u010dar denies he attacked on Aram\u00f3n Valdelinares finish because he was upset<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I didn&#8217;t have confidence in myself&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert bags green jersey but regrets missed opportunity in Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a breakaway<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I\u2019ll probably need a season where I spend more time on the mountain bike&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel realistic ahead of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a: Andreas Leknessund, Tobias Johannessen solo away from Wout van Aert in Uno-X Mobility 1-2 on stage 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A lost season, cobbled and track triumphs, and battles with Wiebes \u2013 The story behind Lara Gillespie&#8217;s rapid rise to the top<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-29T08:07:34Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n29 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Coached by sprint royalty and flourishing across disciplines, the Irish racer is just getting started<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Irish national champion Lara Gillespie is one of the peloton&#8217;s promising sprint and C;assics talents<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Jan Kruger\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e7d05068-a0be-11f1-9d39-d12ef4de935e\">The fastwomen of the Women&#8217;s WorldTour peloton are up against it at the moment, with Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes dominating the sprinting landscape and showing few signs of letting up.<\/p>\n<p>At race after race, the same question comes up: &#8216;How to beat her?&#8217; Fans, riders, and directeurs sportifs alike ponder it, and yet no answers present themselves. After all, she&#8217;s on a roll of sprinting results unseen in modern racing.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e7d05068-a0be-11f1-9d39-d12ef4de935e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Irish racer Lara Gillespie is one of her fellow sprinters currently facing that question. But to get where she is today, Gillespie has overcome far more than a single opponent. If her determined climb to the top of the sport is any indication, she&#8217;ll find an answer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After all, Gillespie&#8217;s journey from her first cycling club ride to the Paris Olympic Games spanned less than a decade. While her career included plenty of highs \u2013 including a host of Irish titles across multiple disciplines \u2013 she also faced more than her share of adversity.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Most notably, she suffered years of undiagnosed pain from OHVIRA, a rare gynaecological-renal syndrome, corrected with surgery in early 2022. But then, in the middle of that year, came a torn hamstring, while glandular fever struck in the winter. Taken together, the ailments wiped out a chunk of her 2021 season and most of 2022.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Irish National Championships: Lara Gillespie wins third national road title from breakaway in miserable conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s crazy how much can change in a year&#8217; \u2013 Lauren Dickson&#8217;s remarkable rise from cycling newbie to smashing Grand Tours with Demi Vollering<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I was sick back in 2020 and 2021, I couldn\u2019t even get out of bed; that\u2019s how mentally draining it was. Sport is my life; it\u2019s what makes me feel good, so when I\u2019m not able to do it, it\u2019s really, really hard on my brain, my nervou. s system, my whole body,&#8221; Gillespie told <em>The Irish Times<\/em> back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There was definitely a period when I really didn\u2019t think I\u2019d ever be racing again, so there\u2019s not one day that goes by when I\u2019m not grateful to be back on the bike. Everyone experiences hard times, though, but once things start going good again, you kind of forget about them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since then, her progress has been lightning fast. In 2023, she joined the development programme of UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD, spending less than a year and a half there before moving up to the top-level squad.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s clearly a rider in a hurry and still on the rise.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-she-39-s-developed-into-one-of-the-fastest-sprinters-in-the-world-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;She&#8217;s developed into one of the fastest sprinters in the world&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-fc448052-a102-11f1-b552-5dae0b084580\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s 2024 season saw her break through with a win at the early-season Giro Mediterraneo Rosa stage race in Southern Italy. In May, there was a sprint victory at the part-gravel semi-Classic, the Antwerp Port Epic.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I never imagined it would happen&#8217; \u2013 What does it mean to win your first Tour de France Femmes stage? Two 2025 winners relive their victories<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Lara Gillespie strikes for gold in elite women&#8217;s time trial debut at Irish National Time Trial Championship<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At the time, the win stood as her biggest accomplishment yet, though her Olympic appearances in the omnium, madison, and team pursuit came months later.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The following season brought another rapid step-up as her calendar expanded from just six Women&#8217;s WorldTour race days to 43, including debuts at Paris-Roubaix Femmes and the Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nevertheless, she made an immediate impact in the Classics with three podiums plus a fifth at the Classic Brugge-De Panne and sixth at Gent-Wevelgem.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, she&#8217;s stepped it up once again, winning Le Samyn and placing eighth at Paris-Roubaix. Wiebes has proved a tough nut, as yet uncrackable, but Gillespie is more than pleased with her progress.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c6654aae-a0bf-11f1-986e-754fa00a7555\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie&#8217;s sixth place at Paris-Roubaix ranks among her top performances in a stand-out season <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b1cc0272-a0ce-11f1-8fa5-3de182bcd473\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think just having the consistency \u2013 I really had a good winter and also just having the WorldTour girls around me every time,&#8221; Gillespie told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> about her 2026 campaign at the recent Tour of Britain Women.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;re always showing up with a really strong team in the way we ride. We&#8217;re protecting each other all day, and as a sprinter, that&#8217;s all you really want.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Tour of Britain isn&#8217;t the Tour de France Femmes, but it offered plenty of hills to tackle, with over 7,000 metres of climbing on grippy roads packed into five days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cherie Pridham, her directeur sportif at UAE, noted that races like this will only help her development and growing versatility.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s why we&#8217;re here, you know? I think we&#8217;ve shown that Lara is very versatile. She&#8217;s not just a pure sprinter, but she can also fight on the punchy, small climbs,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> at the end of perhaps the race&#8217;s toughest day, stage 4&#8217;s hilly trek through mid Wales.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She&#8217;s done a lot of teamwork here on the Tour of Britain for GC with Karlijn [Swinkels] and with Eleonora [Gasparrini]. And she came into this race having had some illness before, so we had to manage that.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She was part of our development squad almost two years before she moved up to the Women&#8217;s WorldTour team. We moved her up, and she&#8217;s just progressed. We made a conscious effort to build a team around her for her Classics progress and also, of course, she&#8217;s developed into one of the fastest sprinters in the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"finding-success-across-disciplines-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Finding success across disciplines<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-96067472-a0cf-11f1-9e64-c98cf8372272\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As Pridham pointed out, to reduce Gillespie&#8217;s talents to a simple descriptor \u2013 &#8216;sprinter&#8217;, for example \u2013 is to do her a disservice.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If it wasn&#8217;t clear already, she&#8217;s at home on the cobbles and on the track, where she made history as Ireland&#8217;s first women&#8217;s track world champion by winning the elimination race in Chile last October.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s journey to the rainbow jersey began almost by accident, even if she enjoyed a sport-filled upbringing in the Irish countryside growing up in Enniskerry, in sight of the Wicklow Mountains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Already a keen swimmer and runner, she fell into the sport after trying triathlon for the first time. Soon after, during her Transition Year \u2013 an optional off-curriculum school programme available to teenagers in Ireland \u2013 she joined local road club Orwell Wheelers, initially thinking it was a mountain bike club. Just two years later, she won time trial silver at the European Youth Olympic Festival.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Road, track, mountain, cyclo-cross \u2013 Gillespie seems at ease on any bike and on any surface. For her, switching between disciplines is a privilege and a mental stimulus, rather than an undertaking to fret over.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I love it. I love the switch because, well, for me, I want to get on a different bike every day. Today I want to go on a mountain bike, tomorrow I want to go on a track bike, the next day I&#8217;ll go on the cross bike, and then eventually I&#8217;ll go on the road bike,&#8221; she told Irish sports podcast <em>Off The Ball<\/em> last December.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c6654a40-a0bf-11f1-bdfa-c7c3c7247ade\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie has been a world champion on the track, racing to rainbows in the elimination race last year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Alex Whitehead\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-25de821e-a0c2-11f1-8c55-6b10561e393d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I also like, for example, when I got injured just before the 2025 Tour, and I thought, &#8216;Maybe I can&#8217;t do the Tour,&#8217; mentally I was like, &#8216;Oh, but it&#8217;s OK because I have Track Worlds at the end of the season and I will be fit and healthy for that.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That, mentally, just takes the pressure off because it&#8217;s not the only thing in my life, and it means that if this doesn&#8217;t go well, okay, at least I can focus on this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, she&#8217;s switched effortlessly between disciplines. Barely two weeks after Paris-Roubaix, she was racing at the UCI Track World Cup in Hong Kong. After that, she was back on the road for a Giro d&#8217;Italia debut and a pair of national road titles ahead of a mid-summer track meet in Pordenone, Italy.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having returned to the road at the Tour de Pologne and the Tour of Britain, she&#8217;s now primed to get back to the track.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Towards the end, I&#8217;m focusing more on the track. The Track World Championships are in October. I have a couple more races with the team in September in China, and it&#8217;ll be nice to go for a few sprints there,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;[Switching] worked quite well last year. I get like a month on track before, and then try to speed things up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Looking further ahead, a return to the boards at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 figures among her long-term targets, naturally.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-she-reminds-me-a-lot-of-andre-they-39-re-pure-leaders-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;She reminds me a lot of Andr\u00e9. They&#8217;re pure leaders&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a149e-a0fa-11f1-a070-138dcaf24255\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Gillespie&#8217;s quest to be the best, she&#8217;s already racking up wins and major results.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her consistency has been notable, and she can look back on 16 top-five finishes this year, including seven second places. Those results include a pair of second places at the UAE Tour, and two more behind Elisa Balsamo at the Giro.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Britain there was an early positioning misfire \u2013 &#8220;the girls kept me really safe, but I lost a lot of position in the final kilometre and had to make up a lot of ground in the wind, so I never got to show my power,&#8221; she said of the Blackpool stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But there was another second place too, as she punched ahead of Chiara Consonni at the line in Leamington Spa, a positive outcome given that earlier in the race she noted: &#8220;I had a very bad bout of illness in the last couple of weeks, and I&#8217;ve been on and off antibiotics, so I&#8217;m just kind of taking it day by day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s support squad is a major reason for these successes and the progress she&#8217;s made. That support includes Pridham, the experienced voice in the team car, and a certain Andr\u00e9 Greipel, also part of the backroom staff.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She could scarcely have found a better mentor than the German, who racked up 158 professional wins and stood second only to Mark Cavendish as the defining sprinter of his generation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c66549be-a0bf-11f1-b857-3389fd147be7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">That winning feeling \u2013\u00a0Gillepsie celebrates with her UAE teammates after triumphing on the cobbles of Le Samyn this spring <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Rhode Van Elsen\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a150c-a0fa-11f1-8f48-c329655bd963\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">During the UAE Tour, Greipel praised her rapid development. Speaking to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, the German highlighted how quickly riders like the Irishwoman learn and absorb feedback.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For sure, the men are longer in the sport than some women. [There are] women in the bunch who picked up cycling maybe three years ago, so every day is a teaching process, and they can learn something new,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;They are really open to listen and learn to what a sport director, a trainer or even myself has to say. Also, they are really open to get feedback. I think it is really helpful if you have someone who can tell them in certain scenarios what would be a good idea during the race, and I think this would make the difference now to make the right choices and tactics.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Personality-wise, Gillespie and Greipel are cut from the same cloth, according to Pridham. That alignment has paid off in their work together, with Gillespie and her lead-out train already delivering a string of results to savour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course, we brought in Andr\u00e9 to help us with the sprint lead-out and the sprint coaching, and that made a huge, significant difference to the team and to Lara. And the results were there. I think we came very close to beating Lorena Wiebes at the UAE Tour,&#8221; Pridham said, referring to stage 3 in Abu Dhabi Breakwater, where she came achingly close to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She reminds me a lot of Andr\u00e9. They&#8217;re pure leaders. She&#8217;s growing into that leadership role. She understands what energy she needs to give and the right instructions that she expects from her riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So she&#8217;s quite specific and clear on that, but that takes some time. But she has a lot of trust now from the girls that support her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-you-can-39-t-be-in-the-game-without-believing-that-you-can-win-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;You can&#8217;t be in the game without believing that you can win&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a157a-a0fa-11f1-ad97-1b688a2fc809\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie is growing on and off the bike, and she&#8217;s already achieved plenty. Each year that goes by sees another major accomplishment added to a growing list of them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She marked her return from illness in 2022 with two wins \u2013 the first in eight years by an Irish woman \u2013 at R\u00e1s na mBan, followed by a pair of under-23 European track titles in 2023. The next year brought that Olympic debut and a nomination for Irish Female Athlete of the Year before that track world title last year. Le Samyn is her standout this year \u2013 so far.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With this progress in mind, it&#8217;s crazy to think that just six years ago, Gillespie didn&#8217;t know any of this was even possible.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t even know you could be a professional cyclist until maybe 2020. From a very young age, I remember saying to myself, &#8216;I&#8217;m going to go to the Olympics&#8217;. I had a vision of becoming an Olympic champion, but I didn&#8217;t have cycling in that vision whatsoever,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> earlier this year.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b1cc01f0-a0ce-11f1-80a7-21c008e708e0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie has gone head-to-head with the world&#8217;s top sprinter Lorena Wiebes on numerous occasions this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images))<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a15e8-a0fa-11f1-b9f4-e5820e355a9c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So what lies ahead \u2013 a Women&#8217;s WorldTour win? Beating Wiebes?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Obviously, she&#8217;s the most dominant right now, and you can see she&#8217;s super consistent every time, able to show up regardless of the circumstances,&#8221; Gillespie said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But yeah, I think you can&#8217;t be in the game without believing that you can win. Every time, you have to believe, but it&#8217;s all about executing it in the end, and you need a team to execute it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie harbours the ambition to be where Wiebes is right now \u2013 the dominant force in the peloton, sweeping sprint after sprint and winning major Classics like In Flanders Fields and Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As she put it to <em>Off The Ball<\/em>, &#8220;I want to be the best in the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her rainbow jersey proves she&#8217;s already reached that goal in one sense, if not on the road. However, she told the podcast, &#8220;to me [they&#8217;re] different ideas&#8221; \u2013 it&#8217;s not about a single victory, but a consistency of success, and repetition of those big wins.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For now, reaching that goal will take more work, more progress, more growth. Gillespie has come a long way in a very short period of time, and it&#8217;s far from the end of her story.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We just haven&#8217;t had the right run now for \u2013 like every other team, you know?&#8221; Pridham said of the battles against Wiebes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As she is showing here at the Tour of Britain, she can survive the climbs, and then she&#8217;s almost unbeatable. You need to try to catch her to win. But we&#8217;re very, very proud of Lara&#8217;s progress, and she still has a lot more to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6f07f67a-a0cf-11f1-8ec1-cd05971f1c9d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<p>Track<\/p>\n<p>Tour of Britain Women<\/p>\n<p>UCI Track World Championships<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Teams &amp; Riders<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor before being hired full-time. Her favourite races include the Paris-Roubaix, Tour de France Femmes, Tro-Bro L\u00e9on, and cycling&#8217;s fourth Grand Tour, the Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Irish National Championships: Lara Gillespie wins third national road title from breakaway in miserable conditions<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s crazy how much can change in a year&#8217; \u2013 Lauren Dickson&#8217;s remarkable rise from cycling newbie to smashing Grand Tours with Demi Vollering<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I never imagined it would happen&#8217; \u2013 What does it mean to win your first Tour de France Femmes stage? Two 2025 winners relive their victories<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lara Gillespie strikes for gold in elite women&#8217;s time trial debut at Irish National Time Trial Championship<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vSdkiAvEmYY6WQZwHJEjhW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Motherhood and elite-level sports are entirely compatible&#8217; &#8211; Sandra Alonso targets Paris-Roubaix, returning after childbirth and storming the Spanish club scene<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LxEHaFBfMyo2nFXMDykbbi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Former British champion Pfeiffer Georgi ends 8-year Picnic-PostNL spell to join UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xz5gEu7yBu4E9KZWwpsbAi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Shirin van Anrooij makes &#8216;bold switch&#8217; to Canyon-SRAM, with transfer to come into force before 2026 is over<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEDpMSrbnELU5BTMTafrh3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kreiz Breizh F\u00e9minin: Loes Adegeest victorious on &#8216;a brutal course&#8217; out sprinting the late breakaway to take a first win of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Italy comes from behind to claim team relay<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Caroline Andersson joins AG Insurance-Soudal in major boost for Kim Le Court-Pienaar&#8217;s support squad \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for a Tour de France Femmes start<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar just logged the biggest solo victory of his Grand Tour career \u2013 here&#8217;s how it stacks up in his gallery of lone raids<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/srSdvrJ3RU586NYsU8kmeB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Groupsets<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The new Shimano Dura-Ace still isn\u2019t wireless, but does it actually matter?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGfYraMA6euN4n4KXNaJre-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What now for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a? After Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s trademark display of GC power, a normally unpredictable race heads into uncharted territory &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yFEiXFdXqBk2cgzqXeJLwK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our Incolor SSR review before it goes live<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">La Vuelta, Canada, or elsewhere \u2013 Where are the men&#8217;s stars riding in preparation for the Road World Championships?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u9UuYeqv9RGqM23uTbJXx9-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u9UuYeqv9RGqM23uTbJXx9-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u9UuYeqv9RGqM23uTbJXx9-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/u9UuYeqv9RGqM23uTbJXx9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div 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class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I didn&#8217;t have confidence in myself&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert bags green jersey but regrets missed opportunity in Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a breakaway<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I\u2019ll probably need a season where I spend more time on the mountain bike&#8217; &#8211; Mathieu van der Poel realistic ahead of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a: Andreas Leknessund, Tobias Johannessen solo away from Wout van Aert in Uno-X Mobility 1-2 on stage 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A lost season, cobbled and track triumphs, and battles with Wiebes \u2013 The story behind Lara Gillespie&#8217;s rapid rise to the top<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-29T08:07:34Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n29 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Coached by sprint royalty and flourishing across disciplines, the Irish racer is just getting started<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e7d05068-a0be-11f1-9d39-d12ef4de935e\">The fastwomen of the Women&#8217;s WorldTour peloton are up against it at the moment, with Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes dominating the sprinting landscape and showing few signs of letting up.<\/p>\n<p>At race after race, the same question comes up: &#8216;How to beat her?&#8217; Fans, riders, and directeurs sportifs alike ponder it, and yet no answers present themselves. After all, she&#8217;s on a roll of sprinting results unseen in modern racing.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e7d05068-a0be-11f1-9d39-d12ef4de935e-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Irish racer Lara Gillespie is one of her fellow sprinters currently facing that question. But to get where she is today, Gillespie has overcome far more than a single opponent. If her determined climb to the top of the sport is any indication, she&#8217;ll find an answer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After all, Gillespie&#8217;s journey from her first cycling club ride to the Paris Olympic Games spanned less than a decade. While her career included plenty of highs \u2013 including a host of Irish titles across multiple disciplines \u2013 she also faced more than her share of adversity.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Most notably, she suffered years of undiagnosed pain from OHVIRA, a rare gynaecological-renal syndrome, corrected with surgery in early 2022. But then, in the middle of that year, came a torn hamstring, while glandular fever struck in the winter. Taken together, the ailments wiped out a chunk of her 2021 season and most of 2022.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H4QWdzyoYiNXQiw3XqAHeZ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Irish National Championships: Lara Gillespie wins third national road title from breakaway in miserable conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eJrCHdKTBj9hHGTR8wCCMa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It&#8217;s crazy how much can change in a year&#8217; \u2013 Lauren Dickson&#8217;s remarkable rise from cycling newbie to smashing Grand Tours with Demi Vollering<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I was sick back in 2020 and 2021, I couldn\u2019t even get out of bed; that\u2019s how mentally draining it was. Sport is my life; it\u2019s what makes me feel good, so when I\u2019m not able to do it, it\u2019s really, really hard on my brain, my nervou. s system, my whole body,&#8221; Gillespie told <em>The Irish Times<\/em> back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There was definitely a period when I really didn\u2019t think I\u2019d ever be racing again, so there\u2019s not one day that goes by when I\u2019m not grateful to be back on the bike. Everyone experiences hard times, though, but once things start going good again, you kind of forget about them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-6t5DjCuAmEJrZjtRZuh4Gj slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Since then, her progress has been lightning fast. In 2023, she joined the development programme of UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD, spending less than a year and a half there before moving up to the top-level squad.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s clearly a rider in a hurry and still on the rise.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-she-39-s-developed-into-one-of-the-fastest-sprinters-in-the-world-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;She&#8217;s developed into one of the fastest sprinters in the world&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-fc448052-a102-11f1-b552-5dae0b084580\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s 2024 season saw her break through with a win at the early-season Giro Mediterraneo Rosa stage race in Southern Italy. In May, there was a sprint victory at the part-gravel semi-Classic, the Antwerp Port Epic.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/T8FnfhuQeMdMCotfxPmKW9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I never imagined it would happen&#8217; \u2013 What does it mean to win your first Tour de France Femmes stage? Two 2025 winners relive their victories<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CF8MuE59kZaVSR7XCYCL7A-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Lara Gillespie strikes for gold in elite women&#8217;s time trial debut at Irish National Time Trial Championship<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At the time, the win stood as her biggest accomplishment yet, though her Olympic appearances in the omnium, madison, and team pursuit came months later.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The following season brought another rapid step-up as her calendar expanded from just six Women&#8217;s WorldTour race days to 43, including debuts at Paris-Roubaix Femmes and the Tour de France Femmes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nevertheless, she made an immediate impact in the Classics with three podiums plus a fifth at the Classic Brugge-De Panne and sixth at Gent-Wevelgem.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, she&#8217;s stepped it up once again, winning Le Samyn and placing eighth at Paris-Roubaix. Wiebes has proved a tough nut, as yet uncrackable, but Gillespie is more than pleased with her progress.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c6654aae-a0bf-11f1-986e-754fa00a7555\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y5NWHGDz5WDyjVYuoRpdbZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie&#8217;s sixth place at Paris-Roubaix ranks among her top performances in a stand-out season <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Pim Waslander\/Soccrates\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b1cc0272-a0ce-11f1-8fa5-3de182bcd473\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think just having the consistency \u2013 I really had a good winter and also just having the WorldTour girls around me every time,&#8221; Gillespie told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> about her 2026 campaign at the recent Tour of Britain Women.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;re always showing up with a really strong team in the way we ride. We&#8217;re protecting each other all day, and as a sprinter, that&#8217;s all you really want.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Tour of Britain isn&#8217;t the Tour de France Femmes, but it offered plenty of hills to tackle, with over 7,000 metres of climbing on grippy roads packed into five days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cherie Pridham, her directeur sportif at UAE, noted that races like this will only help her development and growing versatility.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s why we&#8217;re here, you know? I think we&#8217;ve shown that Lara is very versatile. She&#8217;s not just a pure sprinter, but she can also fight on the punchy, small climbs,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> at the end of perhaps the race&#8217;s toughest day, stage 4&#8217;s hilly trek through mid Wales.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She&#8217;s done a lot of teamwork here on the Tour of Britain for GC with Karlijn [Swinkels] and with Eleonora [Gasparrini]. And she came into this race having had some illness before, so we had to manage that.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She was part of our development squad almost two years before she moved up to the Women&#8217;s WorldTour team. We moved her up, and she&#8217;s just progressed. We made a conscious effort to build a team around her for her Classics progress and also, of course, she&#8217;s developed into one of the fastest sprinters in the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"finding-success-across-disciplines-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Finding success across disciplines<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-96067472-a0cf-11f1-9e64-c98cf8372272\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As Pridham pointed out, to reduce Gillespie&#8217;s talents to a simple descriptor \u2013 &#8216;sprinter&#8217;, for example \u2013 is to do her a disservice.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If it wasn&#8217;t clear already, she&#8217;s at home on the cobbles and on the track, where she made history as Ireland&#8217;s first women&#8217;s track world champion by winning the elimination race in Chile last October.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s journey to the rainbow jersey began almost by accident, even if she enjoyed a sport-filled upbringing in the Irish countryside growing up in Enniskerry, in sight of the Wicklow Mountains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Already a keen swimmer and runner, she fell into the sport after trying triathlon for the first time. Soon after, during her Transition Year \u2013 an optional off-curriculum school programme available to teenagers in Ireland \u2013 she joined local road club Orwell Wheelers, initially thinking it was a mountain bike club. Just two years later, she won time trial silver at the European Youth Olympic Festival.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Road, track, mountain, cyclo-cross \u2013 Gillespie seems at ease on any bike and on any surface. For her, switching between disciplines is a privilege and a mental stimulus, rather than an undertaking to fret over.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I love it. I love the switch because, well, for me, I want to get on a different bike every day. Today I want to go on a mountain bike, tomorrow I want to go on a track bike, the next day I&#8217;ll go on the cross bike, and then eventually I&#8217;ll go on the road bike,&#8221; she told Irish sports podcast <em>Off The Ball<\/em> last December.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c6654a40-a0bf-11f1-bdfa-c7c3c7247ade\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fxqc3kqK6634SxJRi9mdKZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie has been a world champion on the track, racing to rainbows in the elimination race last year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Alex Whitehead\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-25de821e-a0c2-11f1-8c55-6b10561e393d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I also like, for example, when I got injured just before the 2025 Tour, and I thought, &#8216;Maybe I can&#8217;t do the Tour,&#8217; mentally I was like, &#8216;Oh, but it&#8217;s OK because I have Track Worlds at the end of the season and I will be fit and healthy for that.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That, mentally, just takes the pressure off because it&#8217;s not the only thing in my life, and it means that if this doesn&#8217;t go well, okay, at least I can focus on this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, she&#8217;s switched effortlessly between disciplines. Barely two weeks after Paris-Roubaix, she was racing at the UCI Track World Cup in Hong Kong. After that, she was back on the road for a Giro d&#8217;Italia debut and a pair of national road titles ahead of a mid-summer track meet in Pordenone, Italy.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having returned to the road at the Tour de Pologne and the Tour of Britain, she&#8217;s now primed to get back to the track.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Towards the end, I&#8217;m focusing more on the track. The Track World Championships are in October. I have a couple more races with the team in September in China, and it&#8217;ll be nice to go for a few sprints there,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;[Switching] worked quite well last year. I get like a month on track before, and then try to speed things up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Looking further ahead, a return to the boards at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 figures among her long-term targets, naturally.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-she-reminds-me-a-lot-of-andre-they-39-re-pure-leaders-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;She reminds me a lot of Andr\u00e9. They&#8217;re pure leaders&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a149e-a0fa-11f1-a070-138dcaf24255\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Gillespie&#8217;s quest to be the best, she&#8217;s already racking up wins and major results.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her consistency has been notable, and she can look back on 16 top-five finishes this year, including seven second places. Those results include a pair of second places at the UAE Tour, and two more behind Elisa Balsamo at the Giro.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In Britain there was an early positioning misfire \u2013 &#8220;the girls kept me really safe, but I lost a lot of position in the final kilometre and had to make up a lot of ground in the wind, so I never got to show my power,&#8221; she said of the Blackpool stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But there was another second place too, as she punched ahead of Chiara Consonni at the line in Leamington Spa, a positive outcome given that earlier in the race she noted: &#8220;I had a very bad bout of illness in the last couple of weeks, and I&#8217;ve been on and off antibiotics, so I&#8217;m just kind of taking it day by day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie&#8217;s support squad is a major reason for these successes and the progress she&#8217;s made. That support includes Pridham, the experienced voice in the team car, and a certain Andr\u00e9 Greipel, also part of the backroom staff.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She could scarcely have found a better mentor than the German, who racked up 158 professional wins and stood second only to Mark Cavendish as the defining sprinter of his generation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c66549be-a0bf-11f1-b857-3389fd147be7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4cpM4kvpm3KXwwk8cqAZSZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">That winning feeling \u2013\u00a0Gillepsie celebrates with her UAE teammates after triumphing on the cobbles of Le Samyn this spring <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Rhode Van Elsen\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a150c-a0fa-11f1-8f48-c329655bd963\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">During the UAE Tour, Greipel praised her rapid development. Speaking to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, the German highlighted how quickly riders like the Irishwoman learn and absorb feedback.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For sure, the men are longer in the sport than some women. [There are] women in the bunch who picked up cycling maybe three years ago, so every day is a teaching process, and they can learn something new,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;They are really open to listen and learn to what a sport director, a trainer or even myself has to say. Also, they are really open to get feedback. I think it is really helpful if you have someone who can tell them in certain scenarios what would be a good idea during the race, and I think this would make the difference now to make the right choices and tactics.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Personality-wise, Gillespie and Greipel are cut from the same cloth, according to Pridham. That alignment has paid off in their work together, with Gillespie and her lead-out train already delivering a string of results to savour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course, we brought in Andr\u00e9 to help us with the sprint lead-out and the sprint coaching, and that made a huge, significant difference to the team and to Lara. And the results were there. I think we came very close to beating Lorena Wiebes at the UAE Tour,&#8221; Pridham said, referring to stage 3 in Abu Dhabi Breakwater, where she came achingly close to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;She reminds me a lot of Andr\u00e9. They&#8217;re pure leaders. She&#8217;s growing into that leadership role. She understands what energy she needs to give and the right instructions that she expects from her riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So she&#8217;s quite specific and clear on that, but that takes some time. But she has a lot of trust now from the girls that support her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"39-you-can-39-t-be-in-the-game-without-believing-that-you-can-win-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;You can&#8217;t be in the game without believing that you can win&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a157a-a0fa-11f1-ad97-1b688a2fc809\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie is growing on and off the bike, and she&#8217;s already achieved plenty. Each year that goes by sees another major accomplishment added to a growing list of them.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She marked her return from illness in 2022 with two wins \u2013 the first in eight years by an Irish woman \u2013 at R\u00e1s na mBan, followed by a pair of under-23 European track titles in 2023. The next year brought that Olympic debut and a nomination for Irish Female Athlete of the Year before that track world title last year. Le Samyn is her standout this year \u2013 so far.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With this progress in mind, it&#8217;s crazy to think that just six years ago, Gillespie didn&#8217;t know any of this was even possible.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t even know you could be a professional cyclist until maybe 2020. From a very young age, I remember saying to myself, &#8216;I&#8217;m going to go to the Olympics&#8217;. I had a vision of becoming an Olympic champion, but I didn&#8217;t have cycling in that vision whatsoever,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> earlier this year.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b1cc01f0-a0ce-11f1-80a7-21c008e708e0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7seCQby2qsyDhDVyDRbfhN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Gillespie has gone head-to-head with the world&#8217;s top sprinter Lorena Wiebes on numerous occasions this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images))<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d11a15e8-a0fa-11f1-b9f4-e5820e355a9c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So what lies ahead \u2013 a Women&#8217;s WorldTour win? Beating Wiebes?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Obviously, she&#8217;s the most dominant right now, and you can see she&#8217;s super consistent every time, able to show up regardless of the circumstances,&#8221; Gillespie said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But yeah, I think you can&#8217;t be in the game without believing that you can win. Every time, you have to believe, but it&#8217;s all about executing it in the end, and you need a team to execute it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Gillespie harbours the ambition to be where Wiebes is right now \u2013 the dominant force in the peloton, sweeping sprint after sprint and winning major Classics like In Flanders Fields and Milan-San Remo.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As she put it to <em>Off The Ball<\/em>, &#8220;I want to be the best in the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her rainbow jersey proves she&#8217;s already reached that goal in one sense, if not on the road. However, she told the podcast, &#8220;to me [they&#8217;re] different ideas&#8221; \u2013 it&#8217;s not about a single victory, but a consistency of success, and repetition of those big wins.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For now, reaching that goal will take more work, more progress, more growth. Gillespie has come a long way in a very short period of time, and it&#8217;s far from the end of her story.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We just haven&#8217;t had the right run now for \u2013 like every other team, you know?&#8221; Pridham said of the battles against Wiebes.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As she is showing here at the Tour of Britain, she can survive the climbs, and then she&#8217;s almost unbeatable. You need to try to catch her to win. But we&#8217;re very, very proud of Lara&#8217;s progress, and she still has a lot more to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6f07f67a-a0cf-11f1-8ec1-cd05971f1c9d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/a-lost-season-cobbled-and-track-triumphs-and-battles-with-wiebes-the-story-behind-lara-gillespies-rapid-rise-to-the-top\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VbaD2GPdRGwdyEvsGrbyXZ-2500-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Kim Le Court-Pienaar comes full circle at Tour of Britain Women to take her first-ever GC victory 2 &#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving? 3 &#8216;I&#8217;m making some good developments&#8217; \u2013 Next Dutch [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2118250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2118250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118250\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2118250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2118250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2118250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}