From the Giro to the Worlds and La Vuelta, Sophie has proved she can perform at the very top. Her early start in the WorldTour built the resilience that now powers her gravel ambitions. With the Ribble Outliers, she’s ready to channel that top-tier experience into a fresh challenge.
1. You stepped into the WorldTour at just 19 - what was it like being thrown into that environment so young?
Signing my first ever professional contract at the age on 19 was so exciting. Finishing up my A-levels, during which I was racing internationally, it was sometimes hard to balance everything. To then transitioning to becoming a full time professional cyclist for one of the top teams in Womens’ cycling was a dream! I was living my dream!
2. You’ve raced some of the biggest events in the world - Worlds, Giro Rosa, La Vuelta España, What did those experiences teach you?
That you have to work very hard, and can leave no stone unturned if you want to be the best! I was training super hard, winning everything as a Junior, but suddenly stepping up from Junior to Elite level was a huge transition. I was still competitive, though, as demonstrated by my 6th-place finish in the Giro dell’Emilia stage race at just 19 years of age. However, the ladies winning those races were on a much higher level. This only motivated me to get to their level, and I was helped in this by teammates, who were hugely successful at the time, and continue to be. Being around, racing and training with people better than you positively pushes you to get the most out of yourself, and I learned a lot in my early years as a pro.
3. Why gravel? What made you want to step away from the road and take on something totally different?
I've spent six years on the WorldTour, which has been an awesome experience. I've met some great people and raced some of the world's best, biggest, and most challenging races at the top level of road cycling. But I felt ready for a new challenge and felt the pull of a return to my off-road roots.
Growing up, my main discipline was cross country MTB. I was even part of the Great Britain Olympic Development Program, and was a European Champion as a Junior. But I also raced Cyclocross and was National Champ in both disciplines, but when I was presenetd with the opportunity to sign my first pro road contract at 19, I decided to commit to road cycling. Six years down the line, I’ve chosen to switch back to offroad with the gravel racing!
4. How have you had to adapt your training or approach to suit gravel racing?
I’ve got a new coach, and we get along very well. He’s a gravel racer himself, as well as having a vast amount of knowledge about the more scientific parts of cycling. I think a coach with scientific expertise and personal racing experience is the best combination. He knows what I’m going through, the courses I’m racing, how the training sessions will feel, the demands of gravel racing, etc, so I feel I’m in a great position with my new coach to succeed.
There's mutual trust. I follow his plans, and he considers my input when developing the training plan. To be honest, it’s not vastly different from the training of previous years, but I feel with my new coach, the sessions are specifically tailored to me as an individual athlete.
5. You’ve had an incredibly full-on career already. How have you stayed resilient through the highs and lows?
Well, my Mum is basically my personal psychologist, haha! I’ve been through so much, from heart operations, broken bones, concussions, to the uncertainty of securing a new pro contract. Then there's the highs of being on the podium in nearly every race I competed in when I was younger, and enjoying the life and success of a pro cyclist. In the low moments, I remind myself that I’m not working a 9-5 in an office. There have been really tough, low moments, but being a professional cyclist is a fantastic opportunity and life to live. It won’t last forever, so I want to enjoy it to the fullest and live in the moment, get through the lows, and embrace the highs.
6. What’s it like now to be part of a team like the Ribble Outliers?
Great fun! We have a great bunch of riders and team staff. We all get along really well, learn from each other, and are all committed to getting the best results possible for the team while also enjoying the journey.
7. What message would you give to younger riders watching your journey?
As long as the pressure comes from you, it’s fine. I put pressure on myself to perform, but I think when there is too much external pressure and you’re perhaps not intrinsically motivated, it’s time to question if you want to keep going with cycling.
You have to be intrinsically motivated, you have to want to train and be the best you can be, otherwise professional cycling may not be the right path for you.
It’s a really tough sport. You've got to love it and work through the tough times to stay on the train. If you slack, your training slips, or you are forcing yourself to ride, then it’s probably time to stop. The train won’t wait for anyone.
8. If you could sum up this new chapter in one sentence?
No pressure, no expectations, new challenge, new opportunity; give it your best and see what comes of it.
Once a top enduro MTB champion and now a respected cycling coach, Ben Thomas brings a wealth of racing experience and deep cycling insight to the Ribble Outliers gravel team. Meet Ben and learn more about his journey.
We’re excited to have Harry Tanfield join the Ribble Outliers gravel team! With years of World Tour experience under his belt, Harry brings elite-level speed, determination, and race craft to the gravel scene as he takes on this new chapter off-road. Discover more about his transition here.
