It is time to begin the British Conti Awards 2024 winner announcements…
The Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Male) award celebrates emerging talents who have made a significant impact on the domestic cycling scene. This year, Tom Williams takes the honour after a stellar 2024 season that saw him rise from uncertainty to the top of the domestic ranks.
It’s been a whirlwind year for Tom Williams. From starting 2024 with a point to prove to standing atop the podium as the Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Male), the Thriva-SRCT rider has gone from domestic uncertainty to one of the brightest prospects in British cycling. But as the curtain falls on his breakthrough year, Williams finds himself at a crossroads, his future clouded by the unexpected folding of Saint Piran, the team he joined mid-season.
From Struggles to Success
At the end of 2023, Williams was facing a different kind of uncertainty. Without a team and questioning his place in the sport, he found himself at a low point. “Not too many people know this,” he reveals, “but at the end of last season I was without a team—because I wasn’t good enough.”
Not too many people know this but at the end of last season I was without a team—because I wasn’t good enough
But cycling thrives on second chances, and when Primera-TeamJobs gave him an offer, it reignited his motivation. “Jason from Primera came up with an offer and gave me some motivation, and in December I got an offer again to go back to SRCT”. Williams began a gruelling winter training regime. “We worked hard to make sure it would happen,” he says. “This award proves that it has.”
Williams hit the ground running in 2024, starting his season with a win at the Volta a la Marina Alta-Barxeta in Spain. Back in the UK, his victory at the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic cemented him as a rider to watch. But his season’s crowning moment came in August, with a dominant performance at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix.
“Crossing the line at Ryedale was surreal,” he reflects. “It was definitely the highlight of my season. Having my teammates and family run up to me after was such a special moment. It felt like we’d achieved something huge together.”
A Season of Milestones
The Ryedale win wasn’t just about personal glory—it marked the culmination of months of perseverance and progression. Williams also claimed two stage wins at the Clive Tiley Memorial Stage Race and delivered consistent performances that caught the attention of Saint Piran, who signed him mid-season. It seemed like the perfect next step for a rider on the rise.
At the start of the year, the plan was simple: show people what I can do. This season has been about proving myself—to others, but also to me
“At the start of the year, the plan was simple,” Williams says. “Show people what I can do. This season has been about proving myself—to others, but also to me.”
But just as the pieces were falling into place, the announcement that Saint Piran would cease operations has left Williams in a state of limbo.
Image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
Uncertain but Undeterred
For a rider who has already faced his fair share of challenges, the end of Saint Piran is another test of resilience. Williams remains philosophical about the situation. “Originally, the plan for 2025 was to race a UCI calendar, learn from the experience around me, and see what I could do,” he explains. “But right now, I’m unsure of what 2025 has in store for me. The goal will stay the same—prove what I can do, just at a higher level.”
Despite the uncertainty, Williams’ ambition burns as brightly as ever. “By the end of next season, I’d like to have results that interest pro teams,” he says. And if his 2024 performances are anything to go by, he has every reason to believe he can.
Why He Stood Out
What makes Williams such a compelling figure isn’t just his results—it’s the journey he’s taken to achieve them. From the doubts of 2023 to the victories of 2024, his story is one of grit, determination, and self-belief. “When I look back on 2024, it’s been an amazing season,” he says. “From start to finish, I’ve been happy with the legs and the progression I’ve made.”
This award isn’t just about his ability to win races—it’s a recognition of his character, his resilience, and his capacity to inspire.
Looking Ahead
As Williams navigates this period of uncertainty, the qualities that brought him success in 2024 will no doubt serve him well. With his ambition and work ethic, he is poised to turn this setback into another chapter of growth.
It is time to begin the British Conti Awards 2024 winner announcements…
The Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Male) award celebrates emerging talents who have made a significant impact on the domestic cycling scene. This year, Tom Williams takes the honour after a stellar 2024 season that saw him rise from uncertainty to the top of the domestic ranks.
See the nominees.
It’s been a whirlwind year for Tom Williams. From starting 2024 with a point to prove to standing atop the podium as the Breakthrough Rider of the Year (Male), the Thriva-SRCT rider has gone from domestic uncertainty to one of the brightest prospects in British cycling. But as the curtain falls on his breakthrough year, Williams finds himself at a crossroads, his future clouded by the unexpected folding of Saint Piran, the team he joined mid-season.
From Struggles to Success
At the end of 2023, Williams was facing a different kind of uncertainty. Without a team and questioning his place in the sport, he found himself at a low point. “Not too many people know this,” he reveals, “but at the end of last season I was without a team—because I wasn’t good enough.”
But cycling thrives on second chances, and when Primera-TeamJobs gave him an offer, it reignited his motivation. “Jason from Primera came up with an offer and gave me some motivation, and in December I got an offer again to go back to SRCT”. Williams began a gruelling winter training regime. “We worked hard to make sure it would happen,” he says. “This award proves that it has.”
Williams hit the ground running in 2024, starting his season with a win at the Volta a la Marina Alta-Barxeta in Spain. Back in the UK, his victory at the Yorkshire Under-23 Classic cemented him as a rider to watch. But his season’s crowning moment came in August, with a dominant performance at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix.
“Crossing the line at Ryedale was surreal,” he reflects. “It was definitely the highlight of my season. Having my teammates and family run up to me after was such a special moment. It felt like we’d achieved something huge together.”
A Season of Milestones
The Ryedale win wasn’t just about personal glory—it marked the culmination of months of perseverance and progression. Williams also claimed two stage wins at the Clive Tiley Memorial Stage Race and delivered consistent performances that caught the attention of Saint Piran, who signed him mid-season. It seemed like the perfect next step for a rider on the rise.
“At the start of the year, the plan was simple,” Williams says. “Show people what I can do. This season has been about proving myself—to others, but also to me.”
But just as the pieces were falling into place, the announcement that Saint Piran would cease operations has left Williams in a state of limbo.
Uncertain but Undeterred
For a rider who has already faced his fair share of challenges, the end of Saint Piran is another test of resilience. Williams remains philosophical about the situation. “Originally, the plan for 2025 was to race a UCI calendar, learn from the experience around me, and see what I could do,” he explains. “But right now, I’m unsure of what 2025 has in store for me. The goal will stay the same—prove what I can do, just at a higher level.”
Despite the uncertainty, Williams’ ambition burns as brightly as ever. “By the end of next season, I’d like to have results that interest pro teams,” he says. And if his 2024 performances are anything to go by, he has every reason to believe he can.
Why He Stood Out
What makes Williams such a compelling figure isn’t just his results—it’s the journey he’s taken to achieve them. From the doubts of 2023 to the victories of 2024, his story is one of grit, determination, and self-belief. “When I look back on 2024, it’s been an amazing season,” he says. “From start to finish, I’ve been happy with the legs and the progression I’ve made.”
This award isn’t just about his ability to win races—it’s a recognition of his character, his resilience, and his capacity to inspire.
Looking Ahead
As Williams navigates this period of uncertainty, the qualities that brought him success in 2024 will no doubt serve him well. With his ambition and work ethic, he is poised to turn this setback into another chapter of growth.
Featured image: Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com
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