The British Conti Awards 2024: International-Based Rider of the Year Nominees Revealed
The International-Based Rider of the Year nominees showcase outstanding British cyclists excelling internationally, with the winner announced next week
After celebrating our rising stars with the Breakthrough Rider of the Year nominees, we’re turning our attention to the riders flying the flag for British cycling abroad. The International-Based Rider of the Year award recognises outstanding performances from British riders competing at the UCI Continental level or on amateur teams beyond UK shores.
Award Criteria
Nominees for this category have been assessed based on:
Performance in UCI Events: Results and achievements in international races, particularly at UCI level.
Consistency and Competitiveness: Their ability to place well consistently against international competition.
Representation of British cycling: Contributions to British cycling’s reputation on the international stage.
Impact and Potential: Their potential for future success and broader influence on the sport.
The selection process was no easy task, with several names in contention. After much deliberation, our panel has chosen three riders who excelled on the international stage in 2024. Here are the nominees for International-Based Rider of the Year.
The Nominees
Matthew Brennan
Riding for the Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development team, Matthew Brennan had a breakout year in 2024 as a first-year under-23 rider, demonstrating maturity and promise well beyond his years. He began the season with a bang, taking back-to-back victories at the Umag Trophy and Porec Trophy. His season highlights also included a stage win at the Giro Next Gen. His performances didn’t go unnoticed, earning him a contract with Team Visma | Lease a Bike WorldTour squad for 2025. Brennan’s ability to compete with seasoned riders on some of Europe’s toughest stages makes the 19-year-old a standout nominee.
Image: Giro Next Gen (La Presse)
Emma Jeffers
Emma Jeffers shone brightly on the European stage in 2024 in her first season with the Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team. She secured two stage wins at the Gracia Orlova (2.2) and consistently placed well in other UCI events. Her 16th place at the Antwerp Port Epic (1.1) highlighted her versatility and resilience on challenging courses. Perhaps her crowning achievement, however, was victory in the National Circuit Race Championships in June. Jeffers’s ability to adapt and excel in a variety of race formats reflects her immense potential.
Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Louis Sutton
Louis Sutton showed his flair and resilience throughout the 2024 season, with a defining moment being his swashbuckling performance at the Tour of Britain, where he was in GC contention before an unfortunate abandonment. He also had a remarkable win at the Bidasoa Itzulia stage race, and secured victories in races such as the Grand Prix de la Saint-Pierre in France. Sutton has progressed the hard way, having spent four years plying his trade with amateur teams in Spain and France (most recently AVC Aix-en-Provence). His all-round abilities and aggressive racing style have paid off though; next season he turns pro with Euskaltel-Euskadi.
Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
What’s Next?
The winner of the International-Based Rider of the Year award will be revealed next week, along with the other categories in the British Conti Awards 2024. These three riders have set the international stage alight, and their achievements deserve celebration.
Who will take home the award? Stay tuned!
Featured image: Elliot Keen/British Cycling/via SWpix.com
After celebrating our rising stars with the Breakthrough Rider of the Year nominees, we’re turning our attention to the riders flying the flag for British cycling abroad. The International-Based Rider of the Year award recognises outstanding performances from British riders competing at the UCI Continental level or on amateur teams beyond UK shores.
Award Criteria
Nominees for this category have been assessed based on:
The selection process was no easy task, with several names in contention. After much deliberation, our panel has chosen three riders who excelled on the international stage in 2024. Here are the nominees for International-Based Rider of the Year.
The Nominees
Matthew Brennan
Riding for the Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development team, Matthew Brennan had a breakout year in 2024 as a first-year under-23 rider, demonstrating maturity and promise well beyond his years. He began the season with a bang, taking back-to-back victories at the Umag Trophy and Porec Trophy. His season highlights also included a stage win at the Giro Next Gen. His performances didn’t go unnoticed, earning him a contract with Team Visma | Lease a Bike WorldTour squad for 2025. Brennan’s ability to compete with seasoned riders on some of Europe’s toughest stages makes the 19-year-old a standout nominee.
Emma Jeffers
Emma Jeffers shone brightly on the European stage in 2024 in her first season with the Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team. She secured two stage wins at the Gracia Orlova (2.2) and consistently placed well in other UCI events. Her 16th place at the Antwerp Port Epic (1.1) highlighted her versatility and resilience on challenging courses. Perhaps her crowning achievement, however, was victory in the National Circuit Race Championships in June. Jeffers’s ability to adapt and excel in a variety of race formats reflects her immense potential.
Louis Sutton
Louis Sutton showed his flair and resilience throughout the 2024 season, with a defining moment being his swashbuckling performance at the Tour of Britain, where he was in GC contention before an unfortunate abandonment. He also had a remarkable win at the Bidasoa Itzulia stage race, and secured victories in races such as the Grand Prix de la Saint-Pierre in France. Sutton has progressed the hard way, having spent four years plying his trade with amateur teams in Spain and France (most recently AVC Aix-en-Provence). His all-round abilities and aggressive racing style have paid off though; next season he turns pro with Euskaltel-Euskadi.
What’s Next?
The winner of the International-Based Rider of the Year award will be revealed next week, along with the other categories in the British Conti Awards 2024. These three riders have set the international stage alight, and their achievements deserve celebration.
Who will take home the award? Stay tuned!
Featured image: Elliot Keen/British Cycling/via SWpix.com
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