The British Conti Awards 2025: International-Based Rider of the Year shortlist revealed
Recognising the British riders who made their mark on foreign roads in 2025 - from U23 classics to ProSeries podiums and breakthrough stage race victories.
The International-Based Rider of the Year award recognises British riders competing outside the UK, whether with UCI Continental squads or ambitious amateur teams racing full schedules on foreign roads. It exists to celebrate those who take the leap abroad – adapting to new cultures, new calendars, new styles of racing – and make an impact beyond British shores.
Last year, the honour went to Matthew Brennan, whose breakthrough season in Europe set a new benchmark for young British talent racing overseas. In 2025, the field was equally strong, but three riders stood out for their performances, progression and presence on the international stage.
Shortlist
Noah Hobbs (EF Education–Aevolo)
Few British riders have been as prolific abroad in 2025 as Noah Hobbs. Racing with EF Education–Aevolo, he produced a season of sustained dominance, tallying eight UCI road race wins – a total bettered only by the phenomenal Matthew Brennan, who amassed fourteen. Hobbs claimed the overall title at the Volta ao Alentejo (2.2) with two stage victories, stormed to three stage wins at Le Tour de Bretagne Cycliste, and added further U23 pedigree with stage triumphs at both Course de la Paix Grand Prix Jeseníky and the Tour de l’Avenir, the most prestigious U23 race in the world. His trademark sprint has sharpened, but just as telling has been his improved resilience in harder, more selective races, where he has consistently survived to contest finales. After a breakthrough year defined by speed, consistency and adaptability, Hobbs now steps up to the WorldTour on a neo-pro contract with EF Education–EasyPost, marking him out as one of Britain’s most exciting emerging fast-finishers.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Ben Granger (Mg.K Vis Costruzioni e Ambiente)
In 2025, Ben Granger turned years of quiet graft in Italy into a genuinely heavyweight season on the road. Racing for Mg.K Vis Costruzioni e Ambiente, he racked up a string of UCI one-day wins, including Rutland–Melton CiCLE Classic on home roads, plus Italian successes at Giro del Montalbano, Giro del Valdarno and Firenze–Empoli, confirming his status as one of the most effective British puncheurs in the continental scene. He then stepped up again in deeper company, taking 2nd at Gran Premio Industria e Commercio Artigianato Carnagheseand an outstanding 3rd at Coppa Sabatini (1.Pro) behind Isaac del Toro and Benjamin Thomas, underlining that he can mix it with WorldTour opposition. That body of work – across both British and Italian calendars – has now earned him a move up the ladder with a pro contract at Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini for next season, a deserved reward for one of the most consistent British performers abroad in 2025.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Callum Thornley (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe Rookies)
For Callum Thornley, 2025 has been the year his potential crystallised into major international results. Already one of Britain’s most promising young time triallists – confirmed by his U23 National Time Trial Championship title – Thornley delivered the ride of his career by winning Il Lombardia Under 23 (1.2U), one of the most prestigious and selective races on the U23 calendar. It was a performance that demanded tactical calm, climbing strength and the confidence to finish under pressure, and marked him out as a rider ready for much bigger stages. He added a stage win and the points classification at the Sibiu Cycling Tour, plus 3rd overall at the Istrian Spring Tour, rounding out a season of consistency and range across Europe’s toughest development races. His form has been impossible to ignore: Thornley will move up to the WorldTour next season on a neo-pro contract with Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe, a fitting reward for a breakthrough year abroad.
Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
What Comes Next
The winner of the International-Based Rider of the Year will be revealed next week.
The International-Based Rider of the Year award recognises British riders competing outside the UK, whether with UCI Continental squads or ambitious amateur teams racing full schedules on foreign roads. It exists to celebrate those who take the leap abroad – adapting to new cultures, new calendars, new styles of racing – and make an impact beyond British shores.
Last year, the honour went to Matthew Brennan, whose breakthrough season in Europe set a new benchmark for young British talent racing overseas. In 2025, the field was equally strong, but three riders stood out for their performances, progression and presence on the international stage.
Shortlist
Noah Hobbs (EF Education–Aevolo)
Few British riders have been as prolific abroad in 2025 as Noah Hobbs. Racing with EF Education–Aevolo, he produced a season of sustained dominance, tallying eight UCI road race wins – a total bettered only by the phenomenal Matthew Brennan, who amassed fourteen. Hobbs claimed the overall title at the Volta ao Alentejo (2.2) with two stage victories, stormed to three stage wins at Le Tour de Bretagne Cycliste, and added further U23 pedigree with stage triumphs at both Course de la Paix Grand Prix Jeseníky and the Tour de l’Avenir, the most prestigious U23 race in the world. His trademark sprint has sharpened, but just as telling has been his improved resilience in harder, more selective races, where he has consistently survived to contest finales. After a breakthrough year defined by speed, consistency and adaptability, Hobbs now steps up to the WorldTour on a neo-pro contract with EF Education–EasyPost, marking him out as one of Britain’s most exciting emerging fast-finishers.
Ben Granger (Mg.K Vis Costruzioni e Ambiente)
In 2025, Ben Granger turned years of quiet graft in Italy into a genuinely heavyweight season on the road. Racing for Mg.K Vis Costruzioni e Ambiente, he racked up a string of UCI one-day wins, including Rutland–Melton CiCLE Classic on home roads, plus Italian successes at Giro del Montalbano, Giro del Valdarno and Firenze–Empoli, confirming his status as one of the most effective British puncheurs in the continental scene. He then stepped up again in deeper company, taking 2nd at Gran Premio Industria e Commercio Artigianato Carnagheseand an outstanding 3rd at Coppa Sabatini (1.Pro) behind Isaac del Toro and Benjamin Thomas, underlining that he can mix it with WorldTour opposition. That body of work – across both British and Italian calendars – has now earned him a move up the ladder with a pro contract at Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini for next season, a deserved reward for one of the most consistent British performers abroad in 2025.
Callum Thornley (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe Rookies)
For Callum Thornley, 2025 has been the year his potential crystallised into major international results. Already one of Britain’s most promising young time triallists – confirmed by his U23 National Time Trial Championship title – Thornley delivered the ride of his career by winning Il Lombardia Under 23 (1.2U), one of the most prestigious and selective races on the U23 calendar. It was a performance that demanded tactical calm, climbing strength and the confidence to finish under pressure, and marked him out as a rider ready for much bigger stages. He added a stage win and the points classification at the Sibiu Cycling Tour, plus 3rd overall at the Istrian Spring Tour, rounding out a season of consistency and range across Europe’s toughest development races. His form has been impossible to ignore: Thornley will move up to the WorldTour next season on a neo-pro contract with Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe, a fitting reward for a breakthrough year abroad.
What Comes Next
The winner of the International-Based Rider of the Year will be revealed next week.
Read more
Breakthrough Rider of the Year – Female shortlist
Breakthrough Rider of the Year -Male shortlist
Featured image: SWpix.com
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