Lisa Lisa Klein has announced her departure from Lidl-Trek, ending a two-year stint with the team as she steps back from WorldTour competition. The German rider, who has been with the squad since 2022, has decided to prioritise her health and performance, a choice she reached after months of reflection.
Reflecting on the decision, Klein said it was not one she took lightly. “The decision was a process and now I can analyse what was wrong and what was good and bad,” she shared. “But the main thing is that I cannot just continue and ‘float’. I would love to take my chance and continue to race for Lidl-Trek next year, but you sometimes force things and at some point you need to make a decision.”
The 27-year-old has faced a tough 2024 season, grappling with illness and the challenges of recovering fully during her major race targets. “This season I struggled with sickness around my big goals, and then when I was racing I felt like I wasn’t recovering like normal,” she explained. The combination of these health issues and the strain of spending long periods away from home played a significant role in her decision to step back.
Although Lisa Klein acknowledges the personal difficulty of leaving Lidl-Trek, she believes it is the right move for her career. “It’s not an easy decision, but it is one that was reached after considering many things. The solution for me is to step back, have less pressure and be more relaxed,” she stated.
Klein also expressed gratitude towards her Lidl-Trek teammates, adding: “To leave Lidl-Trek, with such good teammates who have always helped me to be strong, is pretty brutal for me.”
The team has voiced their support for Klein’s decision and wished her well as she moves forward.
