The class of '25

A bounteous 12 Brits are stepping up to the pro ranks for 2025. Tom Davidson traces the skyward trajectories of a former runner, an adoptive Italian, and the WorldTour’s youngest rider

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Hamish Armitt was never meant to become a professional cyclist. He had raced bikes for fun as a child, but put it on hold in his teenage years, choosing instead to focus on running. Despite being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged 15, he became one of Britain's best junior runners. "When I was 17, I ran 14 minutes dead in the 5km, which was top five all-time at the time," says the 22-year-old [Armitt remains the sixth-fastest UK under-20 of all time].

"I was very, very high-level at running. I won loads of Scottish titles all through the age groups." It was a trajectory that seemed to point straight to the Olympics. But years of underfuelling and the high-impact demands of running led to stress fractures in his feet and hips. "I realised my body couldn't cope with all the running injuries," he says. Forced to step away, he returned to the bike - and less than a year later, the Glaswegian signed his first professional contract.

Youth explosion

No fewer than 12 Brits are taking their first steps into the pro ranks in 2025. A dozen new pros is a solid year by British standards, and includes five joining the men's World Team ranks: Matthew Brennan (VismaLease a Bike), Bob Donaldson (JaycoAlula), Bjoern Koerdt (Picnic PostNL), Oli Stockwell (BahrainVictorious), and Max Walker (EF EducationEasyPost). On the women's side, Imogen Wolff has signed for VismaLease a Bike, while Carys Lloyd and Cat Ferguson have both joined Movistar.