On the cobbled climb in downtown Kigali, Rwanda, known as the Mur de Kigali, a British Israel-Premier Tech rider in the race leader’s jersey surges forward, with overall victory in his grasp.
As hundreds cram the roadside to witness the action, it is not Chris Froome who is in the race lead, racing to the win, but a man almost 18 years his junior, Joseph Blackmore.
The 21-year-old from south London is in his first race as a professional, only his second elite event ever, and on his way to becoming the champion of the Tour du Rwanda. Not a bad start to life on the Israel-Premier Tech Academy, the squad’s development team.
“It was incredible to win, I did the race last year with the national team, so to come back and have a higher level, it was incredible,” he told Cycling Weekly the week after returning from Africa. “I’m super-happy.”
No pressure
That final stage, though, was special, an incredible ride from someone just setting out in the sport. Perhaps because he is unburdened by pressure, expectation, and the past, he rode away from the field, eventually beating Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies), a Grand Tour stage winner, by 30 seconds.
Esta historia es de la edición March 14, 2024 de Cycling Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 14, 2024 de Cycling Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"
Fast, furious and furry tales from Australia
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499
A Brompton for running riot in both town and country
How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?
There are a myriad of tyres on the market but selecting the right one is easier than you think
FEAST OF SWEDEN
Soon after landing in Gothenburg, I began to realise how little I knew about Sweden.
THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS
Globe-trotting gravel racer Joe Laverick chooses his eight favourite events, from coastal Wales to the wilds of Kenya
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Tempted to embark on a long-distance bike adventure? Let former round-the-world record holder and author Julian Sayarer inspire you to strike out and hit the road
Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes
Cornish team also alleged to owe former staff tens of thousands of pounds
JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE
I've ridden through hundreds of feed zones in my time racing a bike.
Lowden not ready to stop after retirement
Former Hour record holder eyes UK time trial scene
Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia
Slovenian makes it four in a row at the late-season Italian Monument