'I was very close to joining a WorldTour team a few weeks ago' - Matt Holmes on the challenges of racing solo

Thirty-year-old privateer says he's 'not desperate' for a pro contract

Matt Holmes at the Tour of Britain
(Image credit: Will Palmer/SWPix)

When retired WorldTour pro Matt Holmes announced his return to road racing at May's Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, it came as a surprise to many. He had no contract, no teammates, and was riding alone in the bunch, on equipment donated to him by brands. By the side of the road, his dad, Roy, was on bottle duty. 

Holmes's name on the start list was an exciting prospect in itself. More surprising still, despite not having competed in 19 months, he went and won. 

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.