Joe Blackmore, Cycling Weekly’s Men’s Rider of the Year, is in a reflective mood as he looks back on a breakthrough season and anticipates the challenges ahead. The 21-year-old from London, once a dedicated off-road racer, has made an impressive leap into road cycling, capturing multiple wins and clinching his place with the prestigious Israel-Premier Tech WorldTour team.
In a quiet café in Westerham, southeast London, Blackmore’s face is illuminated by the rare morning sunlight streaming through the window. The bright glow seems fitting for a rider whose remarkable rise in the cycling world has garnered widespread attention.
This year, Blackmore has gone from strength to strength, securing victories in several prestigious races, most notably the Tour de l’Avenir in August—a major under-23 event that counts legends like Greg Lemond, Egan Bernal, and Tadej Pogačar among its past winners. His victory marked a historic moment, as Blackmore became the first British rider to win the French race in its 63-year history.
Reflecting on his Tour de l’Avenir win, Blackmore credits his earlier experiences for laying the groundwork. “I got that result with more focus on mountain biking,” he recalls, admitting that the race revealed his potential in road cycling. “I thought, ‘road racing suits me—should I have a proper winter training for it?'” It was that shift in mindset that set the stage for his impressive 2024 campaign.
While Blackmore was no stranger to road cycling—having raced in events like the 2023 Tour du Rwanda—his performance at l’Avenir was a turning point. “To do that with a lack of tactical experience… and then have the physical ability to win, I was happy with that,” he says.
A cycling family background played a key role in his development. His father, an off-road racer, introduced him to the sport at the age of six, starting with the Herne Hill Youth Cycling Club. While Blackmore initially resisted the track, focusing instead on cyclo-cross and mountain biking, he always maintained a connection with the road. “I’ve never really ridden the track,” he says, “but I’ve always ridden on the road… for local road training sessions or a few local crits.”
His decision to skip the 2023 cyclo-cross season and dedicate himself fully to road racing proved pivotal. The move paid off immediately as he triumphed in his first season with the Israel-Premier Tech Academy. Early in the year, Blackmore entered the fray of three major stage races—the Tour of Rwanda, Tour de Taiwan, and Circuit des Ardennes—and emerged victorious in each, taking stages in all three events.
Describing the results, Blackmore remains humble. “It was definitely a good start to the year… it was exciting,” he says. “I think at the start of the year, I wanted just to be up there in more races, a bit more ‘in the race.’ But to do as well as I have, I didn’t imagine that.”
Despite the rapid success, Blackmore remains uncertain about the exact role he will carve out in the sport. A versatile rider, he has excelled in multiple disciplines, excelling in stage races and showing promise as a fast finisher and a climber. “Pretty versatile,” he muses, acknowledging the unpredictability of bike racing. “Anything can happen in a bike race, so you’ve got to be pretty all-round these days.”
His consistent performances earned him a full-time spot with Israel-Premier Tech’s WorldTour squad in May, much sooner than many anticipated. For Blackmore, the move to the WorldTour represents a significant step up. “It’s just a really good environment, and they’ve made me feel like I can go to the right races, and mix a few off-road races as well,” he explains.
Although road racing is now his primary focus, Blackmore remains passionate about off-road disciplines. He points to riders like Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel, and Wout van Aert, who have successfully balanced road and off-road racing. Blackmore is eager to follow in their footsteps, though he admits that switching back to mountain biking is challenging. If I can get that balance where I’m also doing well on the mountain bike, then obviously I’d enjoy it,” he says. “At the moment, that’s road.”
Throughout his time as a WorldTour rider, Blackmore has earned valuable experience at high-level races. Notable results include fifth place overall at the Tour of Britain, fifth in the U23 World Championship road race in Zurich, and, of course, his historic win at the Tour de l’Avenir.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Blackmore is full of anticipation. As the reigning U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège champion, he’s eager for his first crack at the elite version of the race. He also has his sights set on the Brabantse Pijl, a race where he finished fourth this year, and the possibility of making his debut in classics like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. “I think I’ve earned the right to be part of those races,” he says, clearly excited about the challenge.
When it comes to his long-term goals, Blackmore is focused on achieving success at the very highest level. His dream victories include the World Championship road race and a stage win at the Tour de France—the latter inspired by his team-mate Chris Froome, whom he regards as a sporting hero. “When Froome was winning the Tour, that was really cool,” he says.
For now, Blackmore is enjoying some well-earned time off after a successful season. “I’m grateful to not do any cycling,” he admits, relishing the break before the intense training schedule resumes. While the off-season has allowed him time to focus on strength training and enjoy some relaxed riding, his focus will soon shift to the team’s training camp in Girona, Spain, followed by the competitive season.
Looking to the future, Blackmore is eager to compete in some of the world’s biggest races. “To be on the start line of some of the biggest races in the world will be pretty cool,” he says with enthusiasm. As his career continues to develop, it’s clear that the young British rider’s journey is only just beginning—and the best may still be ahead.
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