Here we go! The first nominees for the British Conti Awards 2024 are here! Selecting just three nominees for the Breakthrough Rider of the Year awards -both male and female – was no easy task. The depth of talent and the sheer volume of rising stars in British cycling this year made narrowing down the shortlist incredibly tough. After much deliberation, our panel has settled on six incredible riders whose performances in 2024 have marked them as ones to watch.
Here are your nominees for Breakthrough Rider of the Year. The winners will be revealed next week!
Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Male)
Josh Housley
For Josh Housley, 2024 was a season of persistence and payoff after a decade in the domestic peloton. He finished third in the British Continental national road race rankings, a testament to his incredible consistency throughout the year. His breakthrough moment came with a win at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race, alongside podium finishes at the Victor Berlemont Trophy and East Midlands Championships. More on Housley’s inspiring journey can be found here. His achievements have earned him a well-deserved move to Primera-TeamJobs for 2025.
Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Dom Jackson
Dom Jackson’s 2024 season was one of remarkable victories and standout performances. His crowning moment came with a hard-fought overall win at the Rás Tailteann, one of the toughest amateur stage races around. In addition, Jackson secured 8th at the GP de Pérenchies (1.2) and an impressive 13th at the National Road Championships, the highest finish of any rider from an elite team. He also claimed a runner-up finish at the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan. Jackson’s journey to success, highlighted in this interview, showcases his dedication and fearless racing style.
Image: Ian Wrightson/The British Continental
Tom Williams
Tom Williams’ 2024 season was a masterclass in consistency and promise. Riding for Thriva_SRCT, the 20-year-old began the season with a victory in Spain at the Volta a la Marina Alta-Barxeta. His breakthrough continued in May with a win at the Yorkshire U23 Classic, followed by a strong 7th at the prestigious Lincoln Grand Prix. In August, Williams took two stage wins at the Clivel Tiley Memorial stage race before claiming his biggest win yet at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix. These results secured his move to Saint Piran for 2025, marking him as one of British cycling’s most exciting young prospects.
Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Female)
Lauren Dickson
Lauren Dickson’s rise in 2024 was nothing short of meteoric. Having never raced on the road before, she entered the Lancaster Grand Prix riding for Edinburgh RC, surprising everyone with a sensational second place finish. Alba Development RT quickly recognised her potential and signed her up. She backed up her Lancaster performance with another second place at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, an eighth at the Curlew Cup, and capped off the season by winning the Scottish National Hill Climb Championship in October. Lauren’s remarkable debut season marks her as one of the most exciting newcomers in the domestic peloton.
Image: Craig Zadoronyj/SWpix.com
Lucy Harris
Lucy Harris started 2024 riding for Loughborough Lightning after a difficult 2023, which, as she reveals in a forthcoming interview, almost saw her quit the sport entirely. Her grit and determination shone through in 2024 with a string of strong performances, including multiple top-10 finishes in the National Road Series, where she didn’t place lower than 16th in any race. After a mid-season transfer to Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Consulting, Lucy took on the Tour of Britain Women, where she impressed with a fearless solo breakaway. Harris’ resilience and talent have firmly established her as a rider to watch.
Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Grace Reynolds
Riding for Brother UK – OnForm, Grace Reynolds’ 2024 season was one of triumph against the odds. Competing largely solo against stronger teams, she placed 7th at both the Ryedale and Lancaster rounds of the National Road Series. At the Irish National Championships, she came heartbreakingly close to victory, caught in the final 200 metres after a stunning 70km solo breakaway. Grace’s achievements are made even more remarkable by her incredible recovery from devastating injuries, including learning to walk again after a severe crash. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and inspiration both on and off the bike.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
What’s Next?
Stay tuned as we reveal the winners of the Breakthrough Rider of the Year awards next week.
Here we go! The first nominees for the British Conti Awards 2024 are here! Selecting just three nominees for the Breakthrough Rider of the Year awards -both male and female – was no easy task. The depth of talent and the sheer volume of rising stars in British cycling this year made narrowing down the shortlist incredibly tough. After much deliberation, our panel has settled on six incredible riders whose performances in 2024 have marked them as ones to watch.
Here are your nominees for Breakthrough Rider of the Year. The winners will be revealed next week!
Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Male)
Josh Housley
For Josh Housley, 2024 was a season of persistence and payoff after a decade in the domestic peloton. He finished third in the British Continental national road race rankings, a testament to his incredible consistency throughout the year. His breakthrough moment came with a win at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race, alongside podium finishes at the Victor Berlemont Trophy and East Midlands Championships. More on Housley’s inspiring journey can be found here. His achievements have earned him a well-deserved move to Primera-TeamJobs for 2025.
Dom Jackson
Dom Jackson’s 2024 season was one of remarkable victories and standout performances. His crowning moment came with a hard-fought overall win at the Rás Tailteann, one of the toughest amateur stage races around. In addition, Jackson secured 8th at the GP de Pérenchies (1.2) and an impressive 13th at the National Road Championships, the highest finish of any rider from an elite team. He also claimed a runner-up finish at the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan. Jackson’s journey to success, highlighted in this interview, showcases his dedication and fearless racing style.
Tom Williams
Tom Williams’ 2024 season was a masterclass in consistency and promise. Riding for Thriva_SRCT, the 20-year-old began the season with a victory in Spain at the Volta a la Marina Alta-Barxeta. His breakthrough continued in May with a win at the Yorkshire U23 Classic, followed by a strong 7th at the prestigious Lincoln Grand Prix. In August, Williams took two stage wins at the Clivel Tiley Memorial stage race before claiming his biggest win yet at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix. These results secured his move to Saint Piran for 2025, marking him as one of British cycling’s most exciting young prospects.
Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Female)
Lauren Dickson
Lauren Dickson’s rise in 2024 was nothing short of meteoric. Having never raced on the road before, she entered the Lancaster Grand Prix riding for Edinburgh RC, surprising everyone with a sensational second place finish. Alba Development RT quickly recognised her potential and signed her up. She backed up her Lancaster performance with another second place at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix, an eighth at the Curlew Cup, and capped off the season by winning the Scottish National Hill Climb Championship in October. Lauren’s remarkable debut season marks her as one of the most exciting newcomers in the domestic peloton.
Lucy Harris
Lucy Harris started 2024 riding for Loughborough Lightning after a difficult 2023, which, as she reveals in a forthcoming interview, almost saw her quit the sport entirely. Her grit and determination shone through in 2024 with a string of strong performances, including multiple top-10 finishes in the National Road Series, where she didn’t place lower than 16th in any race. After a mid-season transfer to Pro-Noctis – 200 Degrees Coffee – Hargreaves Consulting, Lucy took on the Tour of Britain Women, where she impressed with a fearless solo breakaway. Harris’ resilience and talent have firmly established her as a rider to watch.
Grace Reynolds
Riding for Brother UK – OnForm, Grace Reynolds’ 2024 season was one of triumph against the odds. Competing largely solo against stronger teams, she placed 7th at both the Ryedale and Lancaster rounds of the National Road Series. At the Irish National Championships, she came heartbreakingly close to victory, caught in the final 200 metres after a stunning 70km solo breakaway. Grace’s achievements are made even more remarkable by her incredible recovery from devastating injuries, including learning to walk again after a severe crash. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and inspiration both on and off the bike.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned as we reveal the winners of the Breakthrough Rider of the Year awards next week.
Read more about the Awards here.
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