Hobart world champ cyclist signs first pro deal

Hobart cyclist Felicity Wilson-Haffenden’s junior time trial world championship win has led to her signing her first pro deal with an overseas team.

Felicity Wilson-Haffenden 18 of Hobart who recently won gold in the time trial along with bronze in the team pursuit and individual pursuit a the world junior cycling championships. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Emerging Hobart cycling star Felicity Wilson-Haffenden’s world championship win has reaped further rewards after she signed a three-year contract with American team Lidl-Trek.

The fifth 18-year-old on the team as they focus on building through youth, the deal follows her junior time trial victory at the World Championships in Glasgow earlier this year.

Wilson-Haffenden told The Mercury early this month she had appointed a manager after her feats in Scotland prompted a flurry of calls from interested teams.

The contract continues a whirlwind ascent for Wilson-Haffenden, who took up cycling less than three years ago.

“In choosing my first team I felt it was really important to go somewhere that was focused on development, giving me the opportunity to learn and grow as a bike rider and a person,” Wilson-Haffenden said via the team’s website.

“After my first conversation with them knew Trek was going to be able to do this and so much more.

“The inclusion of a number of riders coming straight out of junior ranks further confirmed Lidl-Trek was the right team for me, with a great combination of developing talent and experienced role models to connect with, learn from and enjoy my first years in the pro peloton.”

Fellow Australians Brodie Chapman, Lauretta Hanson and Amanda Spratt are also on the team, which Wilson-Haffenden said was a contributing factor.

“I am super excited to be joining the fellow Australians at Lidl-Trek as these are riders I have looked up to since I began cycling,” she said.

“To think about riding with them during laps of at road nationals, it is hard not to start smiling.

“In my first years I hope to develop a strong base for a long career through facing a range of challenges, and eventually reach a point where it feels natural to say I am a professional cyclist.

“I don’t expect the transition to professional ranks will be easy, but I know with the guidance and support of Lidl-Trek I have the best network around me to make it successful.”