Elizabeth Banks
Hometown
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Birthdate
7 November 1990
Languages
English, some Italian
Nickname(s)
Lizzy (with a Y!)
Lizzy Banks had an unusual entry to the sport, especially for a British rider. In 2013, she signed up for her first charity ride – a 100 mile course – when she didn’t own a bike. She bought one off Gumtree, which is similar to Craigslist, a few weeks before the event.
The following year, in 2014, Lizzy began to commute by bike to her medical school placements. She was always running late so always riding fast, and as she passed people on the streets, she realized she might have a knack for cycling. She entered the university hill climb competition and came fifth.
Bitten by the racing bug, Lizzy set out to secure a British racing license. Although she admittedly had no idea how to race, she somehow began to climb the ranks. She was picked up by her first team, a local squad, during her first season and hired a coach. When the coach asked Lizzy to outline her ambitions, Lizzy said she wanted to make the Olympics. Lizzy says the coach’s response made it clear her answer was unexpected.
Six years later, Lizzy would have been in running for Olympic selection for the 2021 games had it not been for a hard fall at Strade Bianche earlier in the year. She suffered a severe concussion in the crash and was sidelined for all but two races in her fourth season as a professional. The 2022 season was also challenging for Lizzy who has since recovered from long Covid.
Though Lizzy was new to EF Education-TIBCO-SVB last season, she was reunited with our general manager Rachel Hedderman. The pair had worked together earlier in their careers and they are thrilled to be working together again. Lizzy, widely considered a rising star in the women’s peloton, is expected to be a leader for the team’s development riders and to build on her previous successes, which include two Giro d’Italia Donne stage wins.
Get to know Lizzy
What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Don't assume you're not good enough or don't deserve to be there or that the people around you are better than you. If you are there, then you have worked hard to be there and you deserve it.
What do you love the most about cycling?
The freedom and sense of exploration. You can see so much when you travel by bike and it takes you to some pretty amazing places.
When the race gets tough, what do you tell yourself?
If I'm suffering then they are too
What is your favorite training session?
Adventure ride where you just go and explore somewhere new and ride for the sake of riding and enjoyment
What's your favorite food?
Probably cheese but there are too many good foods in this world to have a favourite!