THE PATH TO THE WORLD TOUR
Cycling Weekly|September 14, 2023
What does a rider need to reach cycling's highest tier of racing?
Tom Davidson
THE PATH TO THE WORLD TOUR

"The key is finding them before they appear on Pro Cycling Stats," says Jamie Barlow, agent to some of cycling's biggest stars.

Barlow's work is diligent. He spends hours talent scouting riders, signs up the best ones, and helps elevate their careers to the highest level, joining WorldTour teams and standing on World Championship podiums. On the books of his boutique agency, 258 Protégé, are the likes of Ineos Grenadiers's Ethan Hayter, SD Worx's Niamh Fisher Black, and his latest success story, Josh Tarling.

A first-year pro with Ineos Grenadiers, Tarling is part of the latest crop of riders to step up to the World Tour. "What Josh has already done this season so far is exceptional," Barlow says of the 19-year-old, who became British time trial champion and a Worlds bronze medallist this summer.

Still, it takes savviness to unearth talent. Agents and teams spend days on end raking through results and crunching numbers, hoping to find the next household name. "The key is finding the really special ones before those breakout results," Barlow says, "which is not always easy to do."

FEEL THE POWER

In recent years, there has been a shift in what World Tour teams look for when they hunt for new riders. "In the past, it would have been purely race results," Barlow says. "But there has been a drastic change in the past four or five years. Now, I would say teams look at data more than ever before. That's what gets the attention of performance staff in the top teams."

It was Tarling's power numbers that put him on the World Tour radar. The teenager's Pro Cycling Stats profile dates only to 2021, but on the years prior he was picking up victories in the British TT circuit.

Esta historia es de la edición September 14, 2023 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.

Esta historia es de la edición September 14, 2023 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.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE CYCLING WEEKLYVer todo
"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"
Cycling Weekly

"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"

Fast, furious and furry tales from Australia

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 17, 2024
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499
Cycling Weekly

RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499

A Brompton for running riot in both town and country

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 17, 2024
How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?
Cycling Weekly

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

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 17, 2024
FEAST OF SWEDEN
Cycling Weekly

FEAST OF SWEDEN

Soon after landing in Gothenburg, I began to realise how little I knew about Sweden.

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 17, 2024
THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS
Cycling Weekly

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

time-read
7 minutos  |
October 17, 2024
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Cycling Weekly

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

time-read
7 minutos  |
October 17, 2024
Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes
Cycling Weekly

Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes

Cornish team also alleged to owe former staff tens of thousands of pounds

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 17, 2024
JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE
Cycling Weekly

JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE

I've ridden through hundreds of feed zones in my time racing a bike.

time-read
1 min  |
October 17, 2024
Lowden not ready to stop after retirement
Cycling Weekly

Lowden not ready to stop after retirement

Former Hour record holder eyes UK time trial scene

time-read
2 minutos  |
October 17, 2024
Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia
Cycling Weekly

Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia

Slovenian makes it four in a row at the late-season Italian Monument

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 17, 2024