British cyclist Anna Henderson, fresh off her silver medal performance in the time trial at the Paris Olympics, has signed a three-year contract with Lidl-Trek, starting from 1st January 2025. The 25-year-old, known for her prowess in time trials, sees this as the next step in her burgeoning career, bringing an end to her current stint with Jumbo-Visma.
Henderson, who transitioned from alpine skiing to cycling after a serious injury in 2016, has swiftly risen through the ranks, capturing the under-23 British Time Trial Championship in 2019 and going on to secure two elite National Championships and a European Championship silver medal. Her recent Olympic success has only solidified her reputation as one of Britainโs leading cyclists.
In a statement about her move, Henderson shared, โMy decision to change teams was motivated by a wish for new challenges and opportunities to grow as a rider. Lidl-Trek presented an interesting environment with strong support, a clear vision for my future, and a team dynamic that aligned with my professional and personal goals.โ
She further added, โIโm particularly looking forward to working with a new group of teammates and staff, and Iโm eager to see how we can push each other to achieve our goals. The fresh environment and different perspectives within Lidl-Trek are something Iโm enthusiastic about, and Iโm excited to contribute to the teamโs ambitions.โ
Lidl-Trekโs General Manager, Luca Guercilena, voiced his enthusiasm for Hendersonโs arrival, recognising her talent and determination. โAnna is an excellent talent with a proven ability to perform at the highest level, particularly in time trials. Itโs clear that Anna is very driven and possesses a very strong work ethic, qualities that have been illustrated especially this year after breaking her collarbone, and then bouncing back to achieve Olympic success,โ he remarked.
Looking ahead, Henderson has set her sights on making a significant impact in the 2025 season, particularly in the spring one-day races and time trials, areas she missed in 2024 due to injury. โI missed the whole of the 2024 spring calendar, so I am keen to get back into these races and show myself. If I can help the team reach new heights while also growing as a rider, Iโd consider the year a success,โ she stated.