Carys Lloyd, the youngest recruit for Movistar’s 2025 roster, is navigating the thrilling yet challenging world of professional cycling while still completing her A-levels. The 18-year-old British rider, who marked her birthday on New Year’s Eve, officially entered adulthood the following day, becoming a full-fledged member of the WorldTour team.
Lloyd’s signing, which was announced last August, positions her as the youngest rider in both the men’s and women’s pelotons at the WorldTour level. The deal, lasting three years, sees her joining a talented group of newcomers to the Spanish team. Despite her success, Lloyd is juggling her professional career with academic responsibilities as she enters her final year of A-level studies.
“It’s a little bit nerve-racking,” Lloyd admitted in an interview with Cycling Weekly. “When I went to my first camp last year, everyone was surprised by my age, saying, ‘You’re a pro, but you’re only 17?’ I had to explain that my birthday is right at the end of the year.”
Starting her racing journey at the age of six, Lloyd quickly rose through the ranks, joining the British Cycling academy at just 15. In 2024, during her last season as a junior, she made a strong impression on the road with two stage victories at the Omloop van Borsele and a top 10 finish at the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix. However, it was on the track where she truly shone, capturing two gold medals at the Junior European Track Championships. Lloyd went on to claim three world titles at the Junior Track World Championships in China, including victories in the Madison, individual pursuit, and team pursuit, the latter achieved with a world-record time.
Reflecting on her success, Lloyd acknowledged the strength of her peers in Great Britain, including teammate Cat Ferguson, the current junior road and time trial world champion. Ferguson, who also joined Movistar for 2025, has been a close ally throughout Lloyd’s career. “I’m lucky to have one of my closest teammates with me,” Lloyd said. “We’re both the youngest on the team, so it’s not just me.”
Though Lloyd’s late birthday places her a school year behind Ferguson, she remains a sixth-form student in Maidstone. Movistar has shown understanding and flexibility regarding her educational commitments, with Lloyd expressing her concerns about balancing racing with her A-level exams. “They made it really easy for me to explain, and they weren’t bothered by it,” she said.
Lloyd’s first race as a professional will take place at the Challenge Mallorca later this month. However, following an initial period of competition, she will take a break in June to focus on her exams in mathematics, further mathematics, and physics. “The team said, ‘Just get your exams done, and then we can talk about racing,’” she recalled. “That was really refreshing.”
The team has emphasized her development over immediate results, allowing Lloyd to take a long-term approach to her career. Discussions have focused on her future goals, with Lloyd expressing a desire to one day compete in races like Paris-Roubaix. “I’ve always thought I’d love to win it,” she smiled. “It’s chaotic and cool, and finishes in a velodrome.”
Though the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix are not on her agenda for this season, Lloyd is focused on keeping her expectations grounded. Reflecting on her young age, she noted, “I literally just turned 18. When Marianne Vos turned pro, I was born. If you think about it in months, she’s been a pro longer than I’ve been alive. That’s pretty scary, but exciting too.”
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