Better late than never: the inside story of George Kimber’s move to ESEG Douai
At 26, with a domestic palmarès few can match, George Kimber might have expected certainty. Instead, he spent six months without a contract. As he heads to France with ESEG Douai, he reflects on ambition, age, and why progress sometimes means starting again.
When George Kimber revealed his desire to continue his career in France to The British Continental last June, few would have envisaged the last-minute scramble for a contract that would ensue six months later as 2026 loomed.
“Finally got a team,” a text message from Kimber read on a cold December evening – an understated way to break the news after six months of searching and little to show for it.
It actually happened really quickly
“I’m off to ESEG Douai,” the 2024 National Road Series winner and reigning Rás Tailteann champion later confirmed. The DN2 team was home to British rider David Hird in 2025, and the Cardiff-based engineer is upbeat about the year ahead.
“It actually happened really quickly,” he tells The British Continental, explaining that the whole deal was sorted within a week of making initial contact, with his options running out.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
“My old team-mate Finn Dunton is riding for the team, so I got a contact from him and it was really quick,” Kimber explains. “Some teams you’ll chase and chase and get nothing, whereas I think it’s a good sign that everything was sorted so quickly. It shows that it’s an organised team that’s quick to make things happen.”
I think I sort of set my sights on bigger teams, to be honest, and hadn’t left myself enough back-up options
But what led Kimber — a rider with one of the most impressive palmarès in the UK – to be involved in such a last-minute deal?
“I think I sort of set my sights on bigger teams, to be honest, and hadn’t left myself enough back-up options. I thought I had my foot in the door with a couple of bigger teams, and they sort of fell through November time. Then I was really stuck,” the 26-year-old admits, delving deeper into why he was unable to land a spot on a DN1 or Fédération Continental setup.
“To a certain extent, you can win as many races in the UK as you want, but if you haven’t raced in France you’re going to struggle,” he reflects.
“We’ve gone out [to Europe] a little bit with Spirit, but more to Belgium than France. In hindsight, it would have been good to get some guest spots in France because that would have bolstered my case, I think.”
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Another factor Kimber readily admits may have gone against him is his age. At 26, he would have been the oldest rider on the Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme team, for example, which will play host to his successor as National Road Series winner, 21-year-old Adam Howell, this season.
“In terms of taking a chance on someone, they’re more likely to do that for a younger rider,” Kimber reflects.
I’ve got a foot in the door now, and as long as you’re winning races they don’t care how old you are
“It’s crazy really that historically you’d be going for the young riders’ jersey in the Tour de France and now you’re considered old! Like I say, I’ve got a foot in the door now, and as long as you’re winning races they don’t care how old you are.”
The Devon native remains positive throughout the interview, his pragmatic approach one that has served him well so far.
Despite entering the team as one of ESEG Douai’s most experienced riders — a point underlined by fellow Brit, and current National Junior Road Race Champion, Jamie Stewart also signing for 2026 — Kimber is under no illusions about having to prove himself once again.
“I think I’ll naturally take more of a senior role, but when you’re new to a team you have to earn your place, so I wouldn’t expect to slot straight in as a leader. I’d need to show myself, get the results and prove myself,” he considers.
“I think the French are very patriotic, and unless you’ve won French races they’re maybe not that impressed by winning some races in the UK. I might need some early-season results, but once I’ve got those, then hopefully I’ll slot into a leadership role.”
Kimber is hoping to hit the ground running, his usual relaxed start to the UK calendar replaced by a number of race days in February as the season begins.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
“I should get the same amount of race days as a professional rider — you’re getting used to that calendar,” he says, looking forward to testing his legs.
“It’s quite a front-loaded season, straight into the action. Winter has been good. I’ve started with a new coach, my old mate Mason Hollyman – since he’s retired he’s started coaching. It’s a new one for me. I haven’t had a coach for a while, so hopefully there will be some gains there.”
Kimber’s early-season arrangements are not the only significant change. His move to France signals the end of an era, with his five-year stint as the talisman of the Spirit team coming to a close as he heads for pastures new.
I just want to keep on progressing. I don’t want to stagnate. I don’t want to get bored
“I put out a post on Instagram and people thought it was the end of [Spirit]!” he laughs, a soft signal of the impact Kimber has had on Josh Parkin’s squad in recent years. “They’re definitely still about, doing their thing,” he adds. “I had a lot of opportunities with Spirit, so thanks to Russ [Rowles], Jason [Nind] and Josh for their support over the years. And thank you to my family and girlfriend for all their support too.”
As one chapter closes, another opens — Kimber focused on the future and the opportunities now in front of him, both in the short and long term.
“I just want to keep on progressing. I don’t want to stagnate. I don’t want to get bored — there are new places, new opportunities, new races as well.
“I’d like to keep on moving forward, and if I can get to a point where I can make a living from it, that’s of course the goal.”
It’s not a reset so much as the next step – another turn of the wheel in a career defined by persistence rather than certainty.
When George Kimber revealed his desire to continue his career in France to The British Continental last June, few would have envisaged the last-minute scramble for a contract that would ensue six months later as 2026 loomed.
“Finally got a team,” a text message from Kimber read on a cold December evening – an understated way to break the news after six months of searching and little to show for it.
“I’m off to ESEG Douai,” the 2024 National Road Series winner and reigning Rás Tailteann champion later confirmed. The DN2 team was home to British rider David Hird in 2025, and the Cardiff-based engineer is upbeat about the year ahead.
“It actually happened really quickly,” he tells The British Continental, explaining that the whole deal was sorted within a week of making initial contact, with his options running out.
“My old team-mate Finn Dunton is riding for the team, so I got a contact from him and it was really quick,” Kimber explains. “Some teams you’ll chase and chase and get nothing, whereas I think it’s a good sign that everything was sorted so quickly. It shows that it’s an organised team that’s quick to make things happen.”
But what led Kimber — a rider with one of the most impressive palmarès in the UK – to be involved in such a last-minute deal?
“I think I sort of set my sights on bigger teams, to be honest, and hadn’t left myself enough back-up options. I thought I had my foot in the door with a couple of bigger teams, and they sort of fell through November time. Then I was really stuck,” the 26-year-old admits, delving deeper into why he was unable to land a spot on a DN1 or Fédération Continental setup.
“To a certain extent, you can win as many races in the UK as you want, but if you haven’t raced in France you’re going to struggle,” he reflects.
“We’ve gone out [to Europe] a little bit with Spirit, but more to Belgium than France. In hindsight, it would have been good to get some guest spots in France because that would have bolstered my case, I think.”
Another factor Kimber readily admits may have gone against him is his age. At 26, he would have been the oldest rider on the Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme team, for example, which will play host to his successor as National Road Series winner, 21-year-old Adam Howell, this season.
“In terms of taking a chance on someone, they’re more likely to do that for a younger rider,” Kimber reflects.
“It’s crazy really that historically you’d be going for the young riders’ jersey in the Tour de France and now you’re considered old! Like I say, I’ve got a foot in the door now, and as long as you’re winning races they don’t care how old you are.”
The Devon native remains positive throughout the interview, his pragmatic approach one that has served him well so far.
Despite entering the team as one of ESEG Douai’s most experienced riders — a point underlined by fellow Brit, and current National Junior Road Race Champion, Jamie Stewart also signing for 2026 — Kimber is under no illusions about having to prove himself once again.
“I think I’ll naturally take more of a senior role, but when you’re new to a team you have to earn your place, so I wouldn’t expect to slot straight in as a leader. I’d need to show myself, get the results and prove myself,” he considers.
“I think the French are very patriotic, and unless you’ve won French races they’re maybe not that impressed by winning some races in the UK. I might need some early-season results, but once I’ve got those, then hopefully I’ll slot into a leadership role.”
Kimber is hoping to hit the ground running, his usual relaxed start to the UK calendar replaced by a number of race days in February as the season begins.
“I should get the same amount of race days as a professional rider — you’re getting used to that calendar,” he says, looking forward to testing his legs.
“It’s quite a front-loaded season, straight into the action. Winter has been good. I’ve started with a new coach, my old mate Mason Hollyman – since he’s retired he’s started coaching. It’s a new one for me. I haven’t had a coach for a while, so hopefully there will be some gains there.”
Kimber’s early-season arrangements are not the only significant change. His move to France signals the end of an era, with his five-year stint as the talisman of the Spirit team coming to a close as he heads for pastures new.
“I put out a post on Instagram and people thought it was the end of [Spirit]!” he laughs, a soft signal of the impact Kimber has had on Josh Parkin’s squad in recent years. “They’re definitely still about, doing their thing,” he adds. “I had a lot of opportunities with Spirit, so thanks to Russ [Rowles], Jason [Nind] and Josh for their support over the years. And thank you to my family and girlfriend for all their support too.”
As one chapter closes, another opens — Kimber focused on the future and the opportunities now in front of him, both in the short and long term.
“I just want to keep on progressing. I don’t want to stagnate. I don’t want to get bored — there are new places, new opportunities, new races as well.
“I’d like to keep on moving forward, and if I can get to a point where I can make a living from it, that’s of course the goal.”
It’s not a reset so much as the next step – another turn of the wheel in a career defined by persistence rather than certainty.
Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
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