When Demi Vollering invited her FDJ United-SUEZ teammates onto the podium after winning the recent Giro d'Italia Women one face stood out. With neither sunglasses nor helmet, Lauren Dickson's smile shone brightly, but there was also the merest hint of bewilderment.
Dickson had finished 11th overall in her first Grand Tour but her performance was all the more remarkable considering how recently she began road racing. After being a runner, triathlete and duathlete she only started the sport in April 2024, the day after her 24th birthday.
