Martin was born in Whiston, Merseyside and grew up in Widnes, Cheshire where she attended Riverside College. She was spotted by British Cycling’s Olympic Talent Team at the age of 15, and later moved on to their under-23 Olympic Academy Programme, which rode as ‘Team 100% ME’.In 2011, Martin was signed by the Garmin-Cervélo women’s team as one of four British riders. Following the disbandment of that team, she was one of six of their riders, including all four British riders, picked up by AA Drink–leontien.nl for the 2012 season.