In the spring Lara Gillespie had just won her first elite European title on the track, in the elimination race, when she began her first full pro season on the road. She started the 2025 campaign with an impressive ride at UAE Tour, taking the first World Tour podium of her career.
She then hit the roads of Europe and in early February set the tone for things to come with 2nd and 3rd at Fenix Omloop van het Hageland (1.1) and Le Samyn des Dames (1.1). Plenty of other big results have followed, including 3rd on a stage at the Tour de France.
Gillespie has improved as the season has progressed, finishing 1st or 2nd on her last three races. She was beaten in two of those - La Choralis Fourmies Féminine (1.Pro) and Binche Chimay Binche pour Dames (1.1) - only by the best sprinter in the world, Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx-Protime).
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Though Wiebes has a more powerful initial kick in the gallop compared to Gillespie - or anyone else in the world - the Irish rider is getting closer to the Dutch champion; incredible progress in her first full season on the road. And now Gillespie's team has begun to invest in the Irish rider's chances for next season, signing significant lead-out support.
It has confirmed American rider Megan Jastrab will ride in the team's colours for at least the next two seasons, which is a significant boost for Gillespie in her bid to secure more victories, in the biggest races.
Jastrab (23) is a significant rider in her own right, announcing herself by winning the junior road race at the Worlds in Harrogate in 2019 and riding for Picnic PostNL ever since.
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She was part of the American bronze medal-winning line-up in the team Pursuit at the Tokyo Olympics four years ago, finished 2nd in Gent Wevelgem in 2023 and got onto the podium twice at Simac Ladies Tour this season.
A rider with a lot of grunt, she will be capable of being at the front in the finals of major races, including classics and Grand Tour sprint days, and should prove invaluable support for Gillespie and make a direct impact on the Irish rider's win ratio.
Notably, in what was a very hard edition of the Tour of Britain this year, when the field split to pieces on three of the four stages, Jastrab was at the front during that carnage on her way to 7th overall.
Those are results that suggest the team has secured a major ally for Gillespie, and someone who can support the Irish rider if they are at the front competing for victory for the team or go for her own result if Gillespie is not there.
“I really admire the way UAE Team ADQ races," Jastrab said. "When I talked to my manager about the teams that interested me the most, UAE Team ADQ was at the top of my list.
"From my first conversation with the team management, I felt valued as a rider, and I sensed a genuine desire to help me continue developing within the team. I’m not a pure sprinter or a climber, but I can handle a wide range of terrains. I want to understand how to use my strengths to win races."
