Junior world champion Abi Miller is settling into life with UAE Development Team, balancing her track ambitions with a first season in the U23 ranks and a longer-term eye on the WorldTour.
Behind the noise of starting pistols firing, rock anthems blasting through overworked PA systems, and raucous applause from crowd-filled stands, velodromes move to the steady hum of the turbo trainer. The four days of this year’s National Track Championships were no different, riders spinning to a familiar rhythm in the iconic track centre as the action unfolded around them at the Manchester velodrome.
Abi Miller was one of the riders contributing to that backdrop. Headphones on, front wheel perched on the riser block, the championships marked her competitive debut in the UAE Development Team skinsuit she was sporting – the junior track world champion starting her new journey in the U23 ranks from a familiar starting point.
“I’ve just been to the team camp so far, but it’s a really nice vibe and it was good to get to know everyone,” the 18-year-old tells The British Continental after finishing one of her many stints on her stationary trainer, the track championships a solo enterprise ahead of her road debut with her new team at the Vuelta a Extremadura a fortnight later.
“The team are really accommodating with it,” she says when asked about their outlook on track cycling.
When I said I still wanted to do track they were really happy about that. It’s not been a hassle at all
“When I said I still wanted to do track they were really happy about that. It’s not been a hassle at all – I just say what days I have for track racing and they fit it around my training,” she continues, revealing she would like to continue combining the disciplines, for now at least.
“I haven’t really set a point to pack it in. I think it really helps with the road.”
Image: Milan Josy
As a junior, Miller carved out a reputation as one of the brightest talents in the sport, her prowess on the boards helping to propel her to an impressive showing both at home and abroad with the highly regarded Tofauti Everyone Active outfit.
“They really help to set you up, they teach you a lot of independence in the team, which really helps you when you move up to a bigger level,” says Miller, looking back over her two years under the guidance of team manager Ian Mansel-Thomas.
There’s a really great atmosphere and support level around the junior races – you don’t get a lot of junior teams able to provide that level of support
“There’s a really great atmosphere and support level around the junior races – you don’t get a lot of junior teams able to provide that level of support. I feel really lucky to have had that.”
Miller’s rise through the junior ranks was not as smooth-sailing as it may appear at first glance, having initially struggled to adapt to the demands of racing in Europe despite impressive form on British roads in 2024, taking the honours in the MAS Design Yorkshire Classic, a round of the junior National Road Series, alongside fifth place in the National A-ranked Dudley GP.
Image: Milan Josy
“As a first-year junior I found [racing in Europe] a crazy big step up – I felt like I was thrown in the deep end a bit,” she reveals.
“The bunch sizes – you go from racing in the UK with 50, to abroad with like 160, so it’s a lot to get used to, but I think you just got to take your time with it. I was a bit panicked at first, I wasn’t doing well straight away, but it’s a big change and you get used to it as you go along.”
The York rider’s persistence paid off. A sparkling 2025 included top-five finishes in the Clásica de Jaén and Watersley Ladies Challenge, both Nations Cup races, as well as the prestigious Tour of Flanders, catching the eye of a number of WorldTour teams.
“It was sort of a bit up in the air last year, I was talking to a few teams. When I won a stage at [the Tour du Gévaudan Occitanie], that’s when things kicked off,” she explains, revealing how she became a fixture at UAE Development Team alongside fellow Brit Eilidh Shaw.
I liked the idea of going to a development team first – it’s a big step up to the elite stage, so it’s nice to have a team and support around me to take it in baby steps towards the top
“UAE seemed like the right fit for me. I liked the idea of going to a development team first – it’s a big step up to the elite stage, so it’s nice to have a team and support around me to take it in baby steps towards the top,” she notes.
With a two-year contract, Miller admits she is hoping to join the WorldTour squad in 2027, although is quick to clarify that “there is no rush”.
“I do my A-levels this year, so I’m not done with school until the end of June. I’m looking forward to being done and being able to cycle full-time, but you have to get it done, everyone has to do it at some point,” she admits, her season focused very much around development.
“[My aim this year is] just to learn and develop alongside the team, see where I fit in. I’m not sure exactly what type of rider I am yet, so find out a bit more about myself as a rider and help the team the best I can.”
Image: Milan Josy
Miller is flanked in the track centre by Liv AlUla Jayco’s Erin Boothman, who partnered her to the European Madison title last July in Portugal, and Movistar rider Carys Lloyd.
Part of what could already be described as a golden generation of British riders in the women’s peloton, the trio remain friends, even if they are now adversaries, having previously ridden together at Tofauti Everyone Active.
The level of British riders is incredible and it’s a lot to look up to
“When it comes to racing there’s the competitive atmosphere, but off the track and off the road, we’re all good friends at the end of the day, so it’s nice to have that competition among friends.
“It pushes you more, I think, when you have such a good skill level around you. The level of British riders is incredible and it’s a lot to look up to. It’s nice to get opportunities to race alongside them,” Miller reflects.
Turning back towards her turbo trainer as the interview ends, Miller’s headphones soon go back on and her pedals clip in, the steady whirr resuming in the background. For a rider balancing track and road while aiming for the WorldTour, it is a fitting soundtrack.
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Behind the noise of starting pistols firing, rock anthems blasting through overworked PA systems, and raucous applause from crowd-filled stands, velodromes move to the steady hum of the turbo trainer. The four days of this year’s National Track Championships were no different, riders spinning to a familiar rhythm in the iconic track centre as the action unfolded around them at the Manchester velodrome.
Abi Miller was one of the riders contributing to that backdrop. Headphones on, front wheel perched on the riser block, the championships marked her competitive debut in the UAE Development Team skinsuit she was sporting – the junior track world champion starting her new journey in the U23 ranks from a familiar starting point.
“I’ve just been to the team camp so far, but it’s a really nice vibe and it was good to get to know everyone,” the 18-year-old tells The British Continental after finishing one of her many stints on her stationary trainer, the track championships a solo enterprise ahead of her road debut with her new team at the Vuelta a Extremadura a fortnight later.
“The team are really accommodating with it,” she says when asked about their outlook on track cycling.
“When I said I still wanted to do track they were really happy about that. It’s not been a hassle at all – I just say what days I have for track racing and they fit it around my training,” she continues, revealing she would like to continue combining the disciplines, for now at least.
“I haven’t really set a point to pack it in. I think it really helps with the road.”
As a junior, Miller carved out a reputation as one of the brightest talents in the sport, her prowess on the boards helping to propel her to an impressive showing both at home and abroad with the highly regarded Tofauti Everyone Active outfit.
“They really help to set you up, they teach you a lot of independence in the team, which really helps you when you move up to a bigger level,” says Miller, looking back over her two years under the guidance of team manager Ian Mansel-Thomas.
“There’s a really great atmosphere and support level around the junior races – you don’t get a lot of junior teams able to provide that level of support. I feel really lucky to have had that.”
Miller’s rise through the junior ranks was not as smooth-sailing as it may appear at first glance, having initially struggled to adapt to the demands of racing in Europe despite impressive form on British roads in 2024, taking the honours in the MAS Design Yorkshire Classic, a round of the junior National Road Series, alongside fifth place in the National A-ranked Dudley GP.
“As a first-year junior I found [racing in Europe] a crazy big step up – I felt like I was thrown in the deep end a bit,” she reveals.
“The bunch sizes – you go from racing in the UK with 50, to abroad with like 160, so it’s a lot to get used to, but I think you just got to take your time with it. I was a bit panicked at first, I wasn’t doing well straight away, but it’s a big change and you get used to it as you go along.”
The York rider’s persistence paid off. A sparkling 2025 included top-five finishes in the Clásica de Jaén and Watersley Ladies Challenge, both Nations Cup races, as well as the prestigious Tour of Flanders, catching the eye of a number of WorldTour teams.
“It was sort of a bit up in the air last year, I was talking to a few teams. When I won a stage at [the Tour du Gévaudan Occitanie], that’s when things kicked off,” she explains, revealing how she became a fixture at UAE Development Team alongside fellow Brit Eilidh Shaw.
“UAE seemed like the right fit for me. I liked the idea of going to a development team first – it’s a big step up to the elite stage, so it’s nice to have a team and support around me to take it in baby steps towards the top,” she notes.
With a two-year contract, Miller admits she is hoping to join the WorldTour squad in 2027, although is quick to clarify that “there is no rush”.
“I do my A-levels this year, so I’m not done with school until the end of June. I’m looking forward to being done and being able to cycle full-time, but you have to get it done, everyone has to do it at some point,” she admits, her season focused very much around development.
“[My aim this year is] just to learn and develop alongside the team, see where I fit in. I’m not sure exactly what type of rider I am yet, so find out a bit more about myself as a rider and help the team the best I can.”
Miller is flanked in the track centre by Liv AlUla Jayco’s Erin Boothman, who partnered her to the European Madison title last July in Portugal, and Movistar rider Carys Lloyd.
Part of what could already be described as a golden generation of British riders in the women’s peloton, the trio remain friends, even if they are now adversaries, having previously ridden together at Tofauti Everyone Active.
“When it comes to racing there’s the competitive atmosphere, but off the track and off the road, we’re all good friends at the end of the day, so it’s nice to have that competition among friends.
“It pushes you more, I think, when you have such a good skill level around you. The level of British riders is incredible and it’s a lot to look up to. It’s nice to get opportunities to race alongside them,” Miller reflects.
Turning back towards her turbo trainer as the interview ends, Miller’s headphones soon go back on and her pedals clip in, the steady whirr resuming in the background. For a rider balancing track and road while aiming for the WorldTour, it is a fitting soundtrack.
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