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.
This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY
Johnny be good at making beautiful lightweight bikes
UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX
Newly crowned junior hill-climb champ shows his versatility by winning round seven on the mud
WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR
The man himself - subject of this special issue - explains the key performance changes behind his record-breaking year
11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN
Tadej Pocačar's performance is out of reach but you can adapt his training to raise your game. Chris Marshall-Bell consults the experts to find out how
Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?
Are today's aero bikes really faster, or is marketing just getting better? Joe Baker investigates...
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
An Olympic year is always special and the cycling season once again delivered a year of highs and lows, from Pogi's triple to Katie Archibald's pre-Olympic trip
MEET THE PARENTS
What made Tadej Pogačar the phenomenon he is today? Chris Marshall-Bell went to Slovenia to meet his mum and dad, Mirko and Marjeta
HALF MAN HALF GOAT
Tadej Pogačar may have had a phenomenal season, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against
Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management
The news that Patrick Lefevere will step down as Quick Step boss marks the end of an era, after 22 years in charge
Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France
Dutchman hints at missing Tour in favour of mtb Worlds bid, reports Tom Thewlis from Dénia, Spain