I’m Tom – a 23-year-old multi-discipline cyclist from the south of the UK. After transitioning from a background in athletics, I’ve worked my way up through the cycling ranks-from representing Great Britain at the European Championships to standing on national-level podiums across a range of disciplines, it’s been an incredible journey so far.
While I initially chased the dream of becoming a professional road cyclist, I’ve since shifted focus to the off-road scene. Whether it’s gravel, cyclocross, or crit racing, I’m more excited than ever to represent Ribble this season as a privateer.
Why Ribble?
For me, partnering with Ribble was a no-brainer. They have a rich legacy in the UK cycling scene, and I’ve been fortunate to ride their bikes for several years now. I’m consistently blown away by the performance, innovation, and sheer quality of their range.
Some of my most successful seasons have been aboard Ribble bikes. From one hour full gas cyclocross races to 360km gravel races, their bikes have never let me down – which, to me, says everything you need to know. They’re fast, look incredible, and offer the perfect ride feel: comfortable, agile, and confidence-inspiring whether you’re climbing, descending, or cruising on the flat.
A few things that make Ribble stand out even more, and is the reason I love the brand so much. First, the customisation – choosing your own paint colours and components via the Bike Configuration tool means your bike is truly your own. Then, there’s the fact that every bike is hand-built in the UK and comes with a lifetime warranty. That level of care and confidence in their craftsmanship really sets Ribble apart.
Your Favourite Bike?
That’s a tough one! But if I had to choose, it would be a tie between the ULTRA-GRIT and the ULTRA-AERO SL R.
The Gravel SL is the most versatile bike I’ve ever ridden. It’s right at home on rough gravel trails but still holds its own on the road – I’ve even raced cyclocross on it! It’s taken me on more adventures than I can count and never fails to put a smile on my face.
Then there’s the ULTRA-RACE, a recent addition to the fleet – and it’s blown me away. It climbs effortlessly, flies on the flats, and corners like a dream. If you’re looking for an aero road bike that delivers on performance and comfort, this is the one, and I can’t wait to line up at the National Crit series on this.
Why Go Privateer?
Going privateer was a big decision – and a bit of a leap – but after several seasons riding for teams, I was ready for a new challenge. I wanted more freedom in my race calendar and more control over my journey, and going privateer has opened up that opportunity.
It’s allowed me to take on a whole mixture of different events – from my first triathlon to the Gravel Earth World Series, the National Crit Series, and soon, the Gravel World Championships. It’s a calendar that keeps things fresh, exciting, and unpredictable – and I love that.
It’s also helped me evolve my content. I enjoy sharing my racing and training experiences, and this variety keeps things interesting not just for me, but for the people following my journey. It also gives me the chance to showcase the products I use across a wide range of disciplines and conditions, as well as to different audiences.
One of the biggest highlights has been designing my own race bike and kit – something I feel incredibly lucky to do. It’s come together better than I ever imagined, and I’m already excited for what’s next.
How has the year played out so far?
The year couldn’t have started any better for me. With three wins already under my belt, I couldn’t be happier. The first came at Battle on the Beach—a race I’ve now won two years in a row—so hopefully I can make it a hat-trick in 2026.
After that, I headed to Spain for some training and to race The Traka, which has quickly become one of the biggest gravel events in Europe. This year, I opted for the 100km, knowing it would best play to my strengths. After making the podium in 2024, I was hungry to challenge for the win. Sadly, it wasn’t quite to be, but finishing 8th in a stacked field—including an Olympic gold medallist and an MTB world champion—was pretty cool!
After Spain, I tried my hand at triathlon, lining up at one of the toughest in the UK. After a 1.5km sea swim, a 100km bike leg, and a run to the summit of Snowdon and back, I finished 8th again! I raced on my Ultra-Aero SL R, which definitely turned a few heads as I overtook a string of TT bikes with disc wheels.
Attention then turned to The Gralloch—a race I’d marked as a big target for the year and my potential ticket to the World Gravel Champs, if I could finish in the top 25%. I’d been feeling strong in both racing and training and knew I might have a shot at winning, but only if I played it smart. Come race day, however, the idea of playing it safe went out the window. I attacked with 70km to go and somehow held on for the win—a pretty cool feeling and one that’s given me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.
I followed a similar strategy at Gravel Rush, going solo 50km from the finish to take another win.
What do you have planned for the rest of 2025?
Let’s hope the wins keep on coming. I’ve got an exciting remainder of 2025 ahead, with a race calendar that still includes a huge variety of events. Alongside local crit (criterium) and CX (cyclocross) races, here are a few of the big targets:
Race Calendar 2025
- Gritfest – A multi-day gravel race in Wales that I’ve won for the past two years. Fingers crossed I can make it three in a row!
- National Crit Series – Guildford is my main focus here. A 3rd-place finish in 2024 and 6th in 2025 gives me real confidence—it's a circuit that suits me well.
- The Three Peaks – This iconic event has been on my radar for years. Hopefully, 2025 is the year I finally get to the start line!
- Gravel National Champs – With both a TT and gravel race this year, I’ve got my sights set on the podium—especially after my win at The Gralloch.
- Gravel Worlds – Arguably the biggest race and biggest focus of my year. After all, it doesn’t get bigger than Worlds—and a stripy jersey on the line!
- National CX Series – As if that wasn’t enough, the cross season will be my battleground through winter.
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