Marine Lenehan has completed a remarkable ascent to the ranks of professional cycling, the Irishwoman securing a two-year contract with the Lidl-Trek team despite being a relative newcomer to the sport.
Lenehan was given a trial with the WorldTour outfit this summer and, having performed strongly, has now been offered a pro contract for 2026 and 2027.
"My time as a stagiaire with Lidl-Trek has honestly been an incredible experience," she said.
"It was a big step up, and I've learned so much in such a short space of time. The level of professionalism, the support from the staff, and the team environment have all been amazing.
"From the very start, everyone was so welcoming and there is a real family vibe within the team. I’ve loved testing myself in the races and seeing how I measure up against some of the best riders in the world. It’s been both challenging and rewarding, and it’s definitely confirmed that this is where I want to be."
Born to an Irish father and French mother, the 27-year-old is a former 100-metre hurdler and triathlete but only took up the sport seriously in early 2023.
Lenehan made rapid progress, winning Gran Fondo events abroad, including the European title in 2023 and the amateur world championships last year.
She was national criterium champion in 2024 and finished third in the national road race championships this season.
That led on to her trial with the Lidl-Trek squad and, after performing well against vastly more experienced riders in the Tour de Pologne and the Grand Prix de Wallonie, she has been offered that two-year contract.
"Marine’s story is a great example of what’s possible with dedication and talent," said team general manager Luca Guercilena on Tuesday. "In just a few years, she’s made huge progress and shown the qualities we value most – a willingness to learn and work hard for her goals.
"We believe she has a lot more potential to unlock, and we’re excited to help her continue developing within our structure."
Lidl-Trek are the fourth-best team in the women’s UCI world rankings and feature successful riders such as Elisa Basamo, world championship silver medallist Niamh Fisher Black, and multiple world time trial champion Ellen van Dijk.
As a WorldTour squad, it is entitled to compete in all the top events, including the Tour de France Femmes. Securing a slot as a relative newcomer to the sport is a huge coup for Lenehan (above), and a reflection of both her talent and her dedication.
"I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to join as a full-time rider, and honestly, it still feels a bit surreal," she said. "It’s a real pinch-me I'm dreaming moment. I still feel quite new to the sport, which makes this opportunity even more exciting.
"I only started cycling a few years ago and completely fell in love with the sport. The freedom, the community, and the constant drive to push my limits. To now be joining a team like Lidl–Trek full-time is something really special."
Lenehan’s calendar for 2026 is yet to be revealed, but if she continues making progress like she has, she could be selected for many of the biggest races in the sport.
"My main goal is to keep developing as a rider, improving all aspects of my performance: physically, tactically, and mentally to gain more experience at the top level and contribute to the team wherever I can.
"Long term, I want to establish myself as a reliable teammate and hopefully start targeting some results of my own. But right now, it’s all about learning, growing, and making the most of every opportunity."
Lenehan’s rise to the WorldTour ranks continues a remarkable period for Irish women’s cycling. Lara Gillespie won the elimination race at the recent track world championships and is a top sprinter with the UAE Team ADQ squad. She was third on a stage of the Tour de France Femmes in July.
Mia Griffin was second and third recently on stages of the Tour of Chongming Island and has secured a three year contract with another WorldTour team, Picnic PostNL.
Like Gillespie and Griffin, Fiona Mangan also competed in the women’s Tour de France this year.
