Lizzie Deignan to end racing career with Lidl-Trek after 2025 season

Lizzie Deignan, one of the sport’s most decorated athletes, has agreed a one-year contract extension with Lidl-Trek, and will subsequently retire from professional cycling at the end of the 2025 season. After nearly two decades of professional racing, Deignan leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond her numerous victories and defines her as a leader who has reshaped the landscape of women’s cycling.

“Often people say, ‘Retire on the top.’ But I have no ego or necessity to retire at the top. I'm really happy to go full circle and be somebody that helps other people win bike races again.”

Deignan’s palmarès include 43 professional road victories, covering all of cycling’s most prestigious one-day races. She won a rainbow jersey at the World Championships in Richmond, USA in 2015, a Commonwealth title in 2014, and holds multiple National Champion titles. Notably, she captured a silver medal on home soil at the 2012 Olympics, a feat that cemented her place among Britain’s cycling greats. In 2018, Deignan paused her career to welcome her first child, Orla, a choice which at the time was a rarity in the women’s professional peloton. She returned to racing at her best, topping the UCI Women’s WorldTour rankings within just 18 months of her comeback. This remarkable feat served as an inspiration to her fellow competitors, and to even more women outside of the sport.

Take a look back at Lizzie’s return to racing following the birth of her second child in 2022

Initially planning to retire sooner, Deignan was encouraged by Lidl-Trek management to extend her career for one final season, with a new purpose: to guide and mentor the next generation of cycling talent. “The reason I initially wanted to retire was because I no longer have the motivation for my own results,” admitted Deignan. However, a discussion with Lidl-Trek sparked a new motivation. “They spoke to me and offered me a contract in the vein of being a road captain and somebody that can mentor the younger riders coming through. That kind of sparked a bit of motivation in me and I thought, yeah, actually that’s something that I am really motivated by. I really enjoy bringing out the best in the people around me. I still love cycling.”

As a mentor, Deignan’s focus will shift to fostering Lidl-Trek’s emerging talent, where her depth of experience will be invaluable in high-pressure races. “The Team going forwards is full of young potential. The signings that the Team have made, I think, are really smart. I’ll be using my experience to help them understand how to deal with pressure in the big races. I think more and more in cycling it’s all about marginal gains and sometimes the basics are forgotten. I’ll be there to remind them of the basics, the feelings, the instincts and all the human side of it.”

“I'm proud of every sponsor that I've ever been associated with. I think that's something that not every athlete can say, but I really represented sponsors that I feel proud to have represented.”

“Cycling is totally underestimated as a team sport, right? I grew up in cycling and I’ve seen this massive shift that I’m so proud to be a part of, but the basics are the same. You start as a domestique, you work your way up, you become a leader. Often people say, ‘Retire on the top.’ But I have no ego or necessity to retire at the top. I’m really happy to go full circle and be somebody that helps other people win bike races again.” As she reflects on her storied career, Deignan looks back with satisfaction and a deep appreciation for the support she received on her journey. “I’m proud of every sponsor that I’ve ever been associated with. I think that’s something that not every athlete can say, but I really represented sponsors that I feel proud to have represented.”