After stepping out of retirement with a goal to reach the 2028 Olympic Games, privateer Matt Holmes showed why he could still have a future in the sport on Sunday.
The 30-year-old former Lotto-Soudal professional powered to victory in the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, leaving the best domestic riders in his wake.
Holmes finished the Giro d’Italia in 2022 before deciding to hang up his wheels after becoming dissatisfied with a calendar crammed full of racing.
Nevertheless, the temptation to ride his bike was too great and with the Paris Olympic Games looming he wanted to try for the team pursuit.
Despite riding for Great Britain at the Track Nations Cup in Hong Kong this year, his bid for an Olympic Games place came too late.
However, he already has sights on a team pursuit place in Los Angeles 2028 and in the meantime has an interesting domestic calendar.
With a list of private sponsors backing him Holmes is looking to become an influencer and make videos of his training and racing exploits to fund himself.
The gravel scene and domestic road races will be the aim for Holmes this season and after charging up Michaelgate ahead of a leading group, he celebrated a first win of his new campaign in Lincoln.
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Denne historien er fra May 16, 2024-utgaven av Cycling Weekly.
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