18-year old Izzy Sharp about her first contacts with Lidl-Trek and jump from juniors to Women's World Tour

Young Brit Izzy Sharp has talked about the unusual story of how she managed to jump from the junior ranks straight into the Women's World Tour, one where almost by accident, the 18-year old Briton found herself netting a three-year contract with Lidl-Trek. 

"In December and January, I decided to contact teams myself and try and do it myself," she tells Cycling Weekly. "My agent who I’m with now spoke to me back then about wanting to work with me, but my gut just didn’t tell me it was the right time yet." Having been a junior rider and not an adult yet, it was hard to get around the blocks already with professional teams, but her talents were recognized. 

Negotiations started with a message to one of the team’s most decorated riders, who she will be supporting throughout the upcoming seasons. "I actually contacted Elisa Longo Borghini because I couldn’t find a contact for Ina, and she replied in like 10 minutes and gave me the email. It’s kind of a big thanks to her that I managed to make the contact."

Getting a contract, though, would not be that simple, she quickly found out. "Ina just said it was way too early to give me anything more than interest," Sharp recalls. "It was January, you know, the season hadn’t begun." However that didn't stop Sharp from having a great season and eventually landing a contract with the American team.