“Nothing is as serious as it seems”: Maxwell Hereward on grief, growth and going abroad
Maxwell Hereward’s 2025 was defined by soaring form, painful setbacks and a tragedy that reshaped his outlook on life and racing. As he prepares to leave 360Cycling for Zappi Racing in Italy, the 20-year-old reflects on the season that tested him, changed him, and ultimately set him on a new path.
At the age of only 20, Maxwell Hereward knows only too well the dizzying heights and excruciating lows that cycling can bring; 2025 is a year he may look back on as one of the most crucial in his development, both on and off the bike. As a season of agony and ecstasy approached its climax, Hereward’s interview with The British Continental could not have come at a more fitting time.
“Yeah, I’m alright,” he says reassuringly, the opening question one of genuine concern for the Burnley rider’s welfare. It was only days earlier that a high-speed collision with the barriers while rounding the final bend at the Wentworth Woodhouse Grand Prix curtailed not only Hereward’s sprint for the minor places but his season as a whole. The bruises and road rash were visible through his tattered skinsuit as he crossed the line, slowly, sometime later.
I wouldn’t need a WorldTour contract if I could stay in the sport, be financially comfortable and just enjoy it. That’s all I want to do — just enjoy it
In sparkling form, Hereward was set to defend his National U23 Road Series lead the following weekend, consistent results in the opening two rounds and a maiden National B victory at the Yorkshire U23 Classic putting him in pole position for the series crown. Instead, he was off the bike, recovering.
“I mean, I don’t think I’d have been able to ride the last round anyway,” he confirms, referencing the news that the Kenton RC Autumn Classic had fallen victim to a lack of entries, handing him the series title in a fittingly understated way. It was a bittersweet juxtaposition that on the one hand gave him cause to celebrate while at the same time exposing the frailties of the domestic scene in which he was demonstrating his abilities.
“If it was a more important race, like the actual National Series, then more people would attend it,” he argues, pointing to the lack of publicity from British Cycling as a factor in their own series finale’s demise.
There should be more of a relevance to it online — say, if someone wins a round, like you guys at The British Continental do, [British Cycling] should post about it, make it seem that it’s important to win a race
“There should be more of a relevance to it online — say, if someone wins a round, like you guys at The British Continental do, [British Cycling] should post about it, make it seem that it’s important to win a race.” He continues, pausing to offer a more radical, but equally understandable, idea. “The National [Road] Series leader should get to race in the Tour of Britain, and I think the U23 series leader should as well, and then that will make everyone want to do it,” he explains.
At 20, and having shown his worth at National B level throughout the season, Hereward’s words cut through. The Burnley rider is one of a growing number looking away from the UK to further their careers — the lack of a UCI men’s team outside of the INEOS Grenadiers and, as already touched upon, the slim prospect of a ride on the Great Britain squad at the Tour of Britain both factors in his decision to look overseas. He has signed for the Zappi Racing Team in Italy for 2026, an innovative crowdfunding page helping him with the living and travel costs associated with being based in Europe.
The move to the Italian outfit means that Hereward will move on from 360Cycling, the Elite Development Team he has called home for the majority of his career, and the setup that has helped him navigate a sometimes difficult 2025.
“As a whole the team is very friendly, very welcoming, and focused on the future, rather than how important it is to be good now,” Hereward explains, having become one of the riders at the forefront of the team as they look to create a fully professional outfit based in the North West. “It’s something I’m looking to stay involved with, but maybe not as a rider. It’s aspiring to be the next big British team – hopefully go WorldTour in the next seven years,” he adds.
The team have caught the eye over the past two seasons, with the likes of John Bardsley, Hereward himself, and 2025 signing Jake Edwards all posting impressive results, particularly in the latter half of this year. “The main aim before a race is to race as a team, if we can,” he explains. “And that’s with just making attacks and being in moves, which we didn’t do at the start of the year. But now that everyone is feeling more comfortable, and just stronger in general, we’re able to race as a team. Instead of just weak individuals, we are a unit.”
It’s mainly the development from 360 that has helped me so much
Having focused fully on cycling since the age of twelve, finding the other elements of the triathlons he was competing in “boring”, Hereward credits the team for his gradual transformation into a rider capable of winning the UK’s biggest races. “It’s mainly the development from 360 that has helped me so much,” he says, having had the opportunity to race in the U23 version of Eschborn-Frankfurt and races across the competitive French amateur scene this year.
“I found the racing good,” he says of his time across the Channel, gaining valuable experience ahead of next season. “The scene over there is really good. I wouldn’t say it’s any harder than the UK, but when I was there it wasn’t the right time for me as I was just going through a lot mentally.”
“It wasn’t a good thing to see really, but I think it’s changed my view on, I guess, what’s actually important and what’s not important – in terms of just actually enjoying everything more and realising nothing is as serious as it seems,” Hereward reflects, the weeks after the incident particularly difficult as he came to terms with the impact.
I thought I was OK, but during races I was just a mess. I couldn’t ride in a group, I was always out the back and just getting dropped because I couldn’t ride next to other riders
“I thought I was OK, but during races I was just a mess. I couldn’t ride in a group, I was always out the back and just getting dropped because I couldn’t ride next to other riders. But that’s all changed now — I just feel I’ve got a better head.”
Hereward credits his parents with helping him come to terms with losing his friend, noting that the support of the team was also a major factor in him turning his mental health around. A surprise 4th place in the National Circuit Race Championships, in front of a live television audience, was one of the standout results as his form continued to build towards his strong second half of the season.
“Going into the crit champs, I was very cautious – I wasn’t going to start because of my crash in the time trial. I was thinking I need to save myself for the road race. But the morning of, I thought: it’s a crit, I like crits, they’re fun, and I just wanted to do it for the experience and the enjoyment of the atmosphere you get at them, especially being the national championships. After two or three laps, I was very excited with how good I was feeling. I attacked and that stuck for a little bit before I got brought back, but I still was just feeling really good. I just got lucky with like three laps to go — I just got let away.”
Hereward’s modest take on a race where he was only beaten by the likes of Cam Mason, WorldTour talent Bjorn Koerdt, and the criterium rider of his generation in Matt Bostock, speaks volumes about the high standards he sets himself — particularly with his physiology more suited to punchy climbs situated in the final throws of an attritional road race.
2025 Lloyds National Time Trial Championships. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
“I prefer the race to be hard. I’d say I’m a better rider when the race is long,” he muses, a silver medal in the Junior National Hill Climb Championship two years ago displaying a natural talent when the gradient veers upwards. “Harry Hudson was there, so I can’t win that!” he laughs when asked about his ride on The Struggle, having finished behind a future world champion. “I would say I’m a climber, yes. But not an out-and-out climber. I’m not a 20-minute type climber — more of a 5- to 8-minute effort,” he clarifies.
With Hereward taking aim at the Italian amateur scene next year, he will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Paul Double, Mason Hollyman and Calum Johnston — all riders similar in profile who progressed to a professional career in the sport having been part of Flávio Zappi’s U23 outfit. “I would love to be WorldTour — that is the main goal, if I can. But if that isn’t achievable, the main part is just to enjoy it,” he says, revealing a desire to remain in the sport in a different capacity should his riding career not work out. “I wouldn’t need a WorldTour contract if I could stay in the sport, be financially comfortable and just enjoy it. That’s all I want to do — just enjoy it,” he reiterates.
It is the enjoyment that Hereward appears to find most rewarding in cycling, his new, somewhat carefree attitude to racing — as witnessed at the National Circuit Race Championships — delivering results. Having come through a year of ups and downs, he heads to Italy as a different rider to the one who entered this season, and one that, whatever 2026 may throw at him, will always race with a smile on his face.
At the age of only 20, Maxwell Hereward knows only too well the dizzying heights and excruciating lows that cycling can bring; 2025 is a year he may look back on as one of the most crucial in his development, both on and off the bike. As a season of agony and ecstasy approached its climax, Hereward’s interview with The British Continental could not have come at a more fitting time.
“Yeah, I’m alright,” he says reassuringly, the opening question one of genuine concern for the Burnley rider’s welfare. It was only days earlier that a high-speed collision with the barriers while rounding the final bend at the Wentworth Woodhouse Grand Prix curtailed not only Hereward’s sprint for the minor places but his season as a whole. The bruises and road rash were visible through his tattered skinsuit as he crossed the line, slowly, sometime later.
In sparkling form, Hereward was set to defend his National U23 Road Series lead the following weekend, consistent results in the opening two rounds and a maiden National B victory at the Yorkshire U23 Classic putting him in pole position for the series crown. Instead, he was off the bike, recovering.
“I mean, I don’t think I’d have been able to ride the last round anyway,” he confirms, referencing the news that the Kenton RC Autumn Classic had fallen victim to a lack of entries, handing him the series title in a fittingly understated way. It was a bittersweet juxtaposition that on the one hand gave him cause to celebrate while at the same time exposing the frailties of the domestic scene in which he was demonstrating his abilities.
“If it was a more important race, like the actual National Series, then more people would attend it,” he argues, pointing to the lack of publicity from British Cycling as a factor in their own series finale’s demise.
“There should be more of a relevance to it online — say, if someone wins a round, like you guys at The British Continental do, [British Cycling] should post about it, make it seem that it’s important to win a race.” He continues, pausing to offer a more radical, but equally understandable, idea. “The National [Road] Series leader should get to race in the Tour of Britain, and I think the U23 series leader should as well, and then that will make everyone want to do it,” he explains.
At 20, and having shown his worth at National B level throughout the season, Hereward’s words cut through. The Burnley rider is one of a growing number looking away from the UK to further their careers — the lack of a UCI men’s team outside of the INEOS Grenadiers and, as already touched upon, the slim prospect of a ride on the Great Britain squad at the Tour of Britain both factors in his decision to look overseas. He has signed for the Zappi Racing Team in Italy for 2026, an innovative crowdfunding page helping him with the living and travel costs associated with being based in Europe.
The move to the Italian outfit means that Hereward will move on from 360Cycling, the Elite Development Team he has called home for the majority of his career, and the setup that has helped him navigate a sometimes difficult 2025.
“As a whole the team is very friendly, very welcoming, and focused on the future, rather than how important it is to be good now,” Hereward explains, having become one of the riders at the forefront of the team as they look to create a fully professional outfit based in the North West. “It’s something I’m looking to stay involved with, but maybe not as a rider. It’s aspiring to be the next big British team – hopefully go WorldTour in the next seven years,” he adds.
The team have caught the eye over the past two seasons, with the likes of John Bardsley, Hereward himself, and 2025 signing Jake Edwards all posting impressive results, particularly in the latter half of this year. “The main aim before a race is to race as a team, if we can,” he explains. “And that’s with just making attacks and being in moves, which we didn’t do at the start of the year. But now that everyone is feeling more comfortable, and just stronger in general, we’re able to race as a team. Instead of just weak individuals, we are a unit.”
Having focused fully on cycling since the age of twelve, finding the other elements of the triathlons he was competing in “boring”, Hereward credits the team for his gradual transformation into a rider capable of winning the UK’s biggest races. “It’s mainly the development from 360 that has helped me so much,” he says, having had the opportunity to race in the U23 version of Eschborn-Frankfurt and races across the competitive French amateur scene this year.
“I found the racing good,” he says of his time across the Channel, gaining valuable experience ahead of next season. “The scene over there is really good. I wouldn’t say it’s any harder than the UK, but when I was there it wasn’t the right time for me as I was just going through a lot mentally.”
Tragedy struck Hereward and the wider 360Cycling family this February when his close friend and teammate, Aidan Worden, was killed in a road-traffic accident while on a team training ride in Lancashire.
“It wasn’t a good thing to see really, but I think it’s changed my view on, I guess, what’s actually important and what’s not important – in terms of just actually enjoying everything more and realising nothing is as serious as it seems,” Hereward reflects, the weeks after the incident particularly difficult as he came to terms with the impact.
“I thought I was OK, but during races I was just a mess. I couldn’t ride in a group, I was always out the back and just getting dropped because I couldn’t ride next to other riders. But that’s all changed now — I just feel I’ve got a better head.”
Hereward credits his parents with helping him come to terms with losing his friend, noting that the support of the team was also a major factor in him turning his mental health around. A surprise 4th place in the National Circuit Race Championships, in front of a live television audience, was one of the standout results as his form continued to build towards his strong second half of the season.
“Going into the crit champs, I was very cautious – I wasn’t going to start because of my crash in the time trial. I was thinking I need to save myself for the road race. But the morning of, I thought: it’s a crit, I like crits, they’re fun, and I just wanted to do it for the experience and the enjoyment of the atmosphere you get at them, especially being the national championships. After two or three laps, I was very excited with how good I was feeling. I attacked and that stuck for a little bit before I got brought back, but I still was just feeling really good. I just got lucky with like three laps to go — I just got let away.”
Hereward’s modest take on a race where he was only beaten by the likes of Cam Mason, WorldTour talent Bjorn Koerdt, and the criterium rider of his generation in Matt Bostock, speaks volumes about the high standards he sets himself — particularly with his physiology more suited to punchy climbs situated in the final throws of an attritional road race.
“I prefer the race to be hard. I’d say I’m a better rider when the race is long,” he muses, a silver medal in the Junior National Hill Climb Championship two years ago displaying a natural talent when the gradient veers upwards. “Harry Hudson was there, so I can’t win that!” he laughs when asked about his ride on The Struggle, having finished behind a future world champion. “I would say I’m a climber, yes. But not an out-and-out climber. I’m not a 20-minute type climber — more of a 5- to 8-minute effort,” he clarifies.
With Hereward taking aim at the Italian amateur scene next year, he will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Paul Double, Mason Hollyman and Calum Johnston — all riders similar in profile who progressed to a professional career in the sport having been part of Flávio Zappi’s U23 outfit. “I would love to be WorldTour — that is the main goal, if I can. But if that isn’t achievable, the main part is just to enjoy it,” he says, revealing a desire to remain in the sport in a different capacity should his riding career not work out. “I wouldn’t need a WorldTour contract if I could stay in the sport, be financially comfortable and just enjoy it. That’s all I want to do — just enjoy it,” he reiterates.
It is the enjoyment that Hereward appears to find most rewarding in cycling, his new, somewhat carefree attitude to racing — as witnessed at the National Circuit Race Championships — delivering results. Having come through a year of ups and downs, he heads to Italy as a different rider to the one who entered this season, and one that, whatever 2026 may throw at him, will always race with a smile on his face.
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