STV NewsA young cyclist has been dubbed the next big thing in Scottish cycling after being rewarded for a string of successful races.
18-year-old Erin Boothman has now been signed on a three-year development contract with one of the world’s biggest female cycling teams.
The teenager, from Glasgow, has been training with the Liv AlUla Jayco team in Girona, Spain, as she prepares to join them full-time in January.
Just a year ago, Erin was sitting her Highers whilst trying to juggle training and competing, but she’s now got her eye on turning professional.
Erin said: “Last year was super hard.
“I had my main exams to do as well as trying to race full-time, and I ended up taking a break for like a month in the middle of the season.
“Once I had my exams done, I then fully turned my focus to the track world.
“To be able to get my five A’s and then two medals on the track – I couldn’t have asked for a better year.”
Following a string of top ten performances on both the road and the track, her wins at the Clásica de Jaén Nations Cup in Spain and the Gent-Wevelgem in the Netherlands caught the eye of her new Australian-based team.
She signed on for a three-year contract, which will see her develop alongside the elite team before moving on to competing on the road from 2027.
“At the start of this year, I couldn’t imagine signing anything like that”, Erin explained.
“I was speaking to my agent, and we really wanted to sign something that would help me long-term instead of just jumping straight into the world tour.
“So to sign a deal for three years was literally a dream come true, especially to have that development pathway in it.
“I’m over the moon.
“I’m mainly looking to develop for the year after (2027) with the aim is to be going and doing the classic races with the world tour team.
“That’s what I’ve always dreamed of doing, and hopefully I’ll make that step.”
But before that, Erin has her sights set firmly on next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
She’s already in the process of qualifying with just one more time to beat to secure her place at the starting line.
After getting on her bike following a trip around Millport, Erin joined her local cycling group before heading onto the track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.
And to line up at the venue in a Scotland shirt would be a special memory for the teenager.
She said: “For next year, it’s probably one of my biggest goals.
“I’ve obviously got goals on the road, but definitely one of my biggest goals is qualifying for the Commonwealth Games, which I’m already trying to do.
“I’ve been on the velodrome since I was about eight or nine, so to have my family and friends watching it would be super special to be there.
“Everyone wants to go to the Commonwealth Games, even more so now it’s in Glasgow.”
The teenager is being credited as a rising star, particularly among Scottish riders, but she’s not letting that affect her focus.
“It’s amazing to hear that.
“When you see the athletes that come through Scotland, to be classed as the next one of them is literally amazing.
“The likes of Katie Archibald and stuff, I’d never think I could be compared to them, and now people are saying I’m coming in their footsteps.
“Yeah, it’s amazing.”
For now, Erin’s getting the miles in as she prepares to join Liv AlUla Jayco full-time for the beginning of a promising professional career.
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