American · Cupertino, California, USA · Born 30 May 1989American road racing cyclist and time trial specialist who won multiple national and international titles across a career with Movistar, Trek-Segafredo and other top women's teams.
Born on 30 May 1989 in Cupertino, California, Leah Thomas came to cycling relatively late after an athletic background in competitive gymnastics and long-distance running. After developing severe plantar fasciitis that ended her running ambitions, she picked up a bicycle while working as a teacher on the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona, and won her first race in late 2013. Thomas turned professional in 2015 with Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air, launching a career that would take her through UnitedHealthcare, Bigla Pro Cycling, Movistar Team and Trek-Segafredo. She proved herself a strong all-rounder, particularly excelling in time trials, winning the individual time trial at the 2019 Pan American Road Championships and the 2022 United States National Time Trial Championships. Among her most significant victories, Thomas won the 2019 Women's Tour of Scotland and the 2021 Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l'Ardèche stage race, both overall general classification titles, along with victories at the Chrono des Nations. She represented the United States at multiple UCI Road World Championships across both the individual time trial and road race disciplines. Thomas retired from professional road racing in 2022 after a career spanning eight seasons. Beyond racing, she founded Bike Alpharetta Inc., a Georgia-based nonprofit promoting safe cycling, reflecting a broader commitment to the sport's community development.
Winning multiple national and international time trial titles across a career with several top women's teams
How They Played
Strong all-rounder with particular strength in time trials
Lasting Impact
A respected all-rounder and time trial specialist, and founder of a cycling safety nonprofit
American Athletes