TdT-Unibet

Hartthijs de Vries

Davide Bomboi

Martijn Budding

Lander Loockx

Joren Bloem

Jordy Bouts

Abram Stockman

Yentl Vandevelde

Tomas Kopecky

Harry Tanfield

Wouter Toussaint

Bas Tietema

Kevin Inkelaar

Racing

Interviews

‘The past few months have felt like playing ProCyclingManager’: TDT-Unibet aim for 2026 Tour de France

TDT-Unibet was not even a pipe dream for Bas Tietema when he set up the Tour de Tietema YouTube channel in 2019

 are a team unlike any other. Their roots come from the Tour de Tietema YouTube channel and their ambitions lie one day in the 

, but along the way, they have trodden a never-before-walked path that has seen them grow from a gang of three to a company of over 40 employees.

For those who haven’t had their attention caught by the fluorescent bikes, viral social media posts and passionate supporters that embody the Dutch outfit, TDT-Unibet are a cycling team coming towards the end of their first year of racing. The team was set up by the three men behind the 

Tour de Tietema has supported Wester in the past as he went from novice cyclist to amateur racer at the Dutch club level, but 2023 saw the team competing as a UCI Continental outfit with the backing of gambling company Unibet.

Not content at the Continental level, TDT-Unibet will make the step up to the 

 in 2024 - just one step below the sport’s highest tier, the 

. This has meant expanding their team, learning lessons from less than 12 months of racing and setting lofty ambitions for 2024 and beyond - in an experience likened to “playing ProCyclingManager in real life” by team co-founder and boss, Bas Tietema.

The Dutchman has recently announced his own retirement from cycling but spent almost an hour speaking exclusively with 

 over video call about his enthusiasm for taking TDT-Unibet from strength to strength.

“It can be pretty cool that I finish 60th in a Pro race or whatever, but I want the whole project to succeed and that is my personal goal. I get so much joy and excitement from doing that, which made my retirement decision quite easy. It is my own team, so every race feels like I am racing for myself," said Tietema, who passed his UCI sports director exam ahead of the new season. 

TDT-Unibet as a team apart in professional cycling

The Tour de Tietema YouTube channel came about as a passion project from Tietema, Wester and Van der Wiel in the summer of 2019, who had the shared ambition to travel to the Tour de France and document their experience through a series of challenges along the way. Videos such as 

 to the riders after stage 21 on the Champs-Élysées and even 

Given their roots as a media company, their methods remain atypical compared to the majority in cycling. Their social media presence is large, their travails are captured in the form of mini-series on the YouTube channel, and their debut season in the Continental ranks has been captured by Van der Wiel for 

 that will be premiered on December 4 at the AFAS Circustheater in The Hague.

“Everything we do is pretty unusual apparently… but for us, it is usual! And it has to be usual, in my opinion,” said Tietema. “If you look at Arsenal or other football clubs, Formula 1 etc, you need to have a proper media strategy. We don’t see ourselves as quirky or unusual necessarily, this should be the standard for all teams, but it is unusual that it is not.”

It is not just off the bike that TDT-Unibet have been strong in their first year of competition. The team has already team picked up their first victory at the ZLM Tour in June, with 

 winning stage 1. Tietema reflected on the watershed moment with pride but admitted that the preparations for 2024 often take priority over toasting each big result for the side.

“It was pretty unreal, but actually, milestones for us are not mostly results-related, because that is something we do not always have in hand,” he said. “In these moments, I am pretty introverted because I am always working on things that are happening in the future. Often, when the team wins or picks up good results, I am already focused on the next thing.”

Speaking shortly after the end of their first season, however, Tietema did allow himself to reflect on the achievements of TDT-Unibet, which don’t just focus on their three victories in 2023, but on their consistency and rider development.

‘The Tour of Britain was the perfect example of things coming together’

The year may have only yielded three victories for TDT-Unibet, but each day has been a learning experience.

“It has been a rollercoaster!” reflected Tietema. “We have had really big highs like the victory in the ZLM Tour, we have had really big lows like the Olympia’s Tour, where nobody from our team even finished the race and the series was called ‘Going for Yellow!’

“Of course, to win a ProRace as a Continental team is a big thing.​​ This season it became almost normal that we finished in the top 10 at every UCI 1.1 race, and I think that is the biggest achievement for us throughout the year, from aiming at finishing top 10 to needing to finish in the top 5 to be deemed a good race.”

 encapsulated everything that TDT-Unibet had been working towards from the moment the plans for the team were set in place. Throughout the eight days of racing, the team finished inside the top 10 with 

 inside the breakaway on all but two stages, and created a plethora of engaging social media content that provided light-hearted relief in a race accused by many of being somewhat boring.

“I think that we were doing really well compared to other Conti, ProConti and even some WorldTour teams. I think that the Tour of Britain this year was the perfect example of where things were coming together,” said Tietema, with the progression of Bomboi being particularly pleasing for the team.

“I still remember last year when I sat down with him in October and he was doubting if he wanted to continue as a rider or start his studies. From there on, he transformed during the season. Of course, he had to develop on a physical level, but you see the confidence that he gets throughout this season from being in a winning team - even if we lose sometimes.”

The Belgian sprinter is still only 23 years of age, but his progression in 2023 saw him end the season with a tremendous third-place finish at Elfstedenrace, behind only WorldTour dynamites 

His development on the team highlights the possibilities for young riders under the tutelage of Tietema’s coaching setup. Growing from a squad of 13 in 2023 to one of 20 in 2024, recruitment has been vital for the team boss over the last few months, and in particular, internationalising his squad ahead of the step up to ProConti level.

TDT-Unibet prioritise talent over reputation

In 2023, TDT-Unibet only had two riders from non-Benelux countries - Harry Tanfield of the United Kingdom and Tomáš Kopecký​​ of the Czech Republic. For 2024, this number will grow to 11. Tanfield and ZLM Tour stage winner Vandevelde will be leaving in the winter, as will others, but in their place, TDT-Unibet have used a unique approach to scouting in order to source reinforcements.

“We don’t have the WorldTour budget and because we also have to decide how to split our money between the sporting and the media side, this has implications for how much we can spend on riders’ salaries or other stuff. We need to be creative and use our knowledge to get the best riders onboard,” admitted Tietema.

“It felt like playing ProCyclingManager in real life over the past couple of months. We were in a little scouting group where I was involved, Julia [Soek] as general manager and Aurélien [a statistician on X (formerly Twitter) going by the handle @LPDouces].

“From April, we were looking forward to selecting the best riders as possible for our 2024 campaign and we wanted to have Continental riders that were the best climbers at that level, the best Classics riders, and we wanted to put them together with the ideology that they all wanted to get the best out of themselves, instead of having ProConti or WorldTour riders who feel like they are stepping down.”

'There are no words for it' - Charlie Paige bags dream ticket to pro ranks with TDT-Unibet

Prioritising talent over reputation may allow TDT-Unibet to get more bang for their buck, and Tietema explains the ability to do so is in part down to their strong media grounding, which affords them plenty of sponsor visibility without signing a supposed star rider.

“That’s the benefit of our media presence. Normally a ProTeam will mostly need some big riders because that is their publicity, that is their media value that they can sell to sponsors. We have a media presence that can value riders even if they are still unknown. We can make that with our fanbase and with our creativity with the YouTube channel. That is way cheaper than giving, for example, Chris Froome €5 million for nothing.”

‘The 2026 Tour de France is the ultimate goal’ but progress must be sustainable

Now well into their winter team camps and preparations, TDT-Unibet are firmly looking towards their goals for 2024 and beyond, which Tietema hopes will eventually end with an invite to the Tour de France.

As they pitch themselves to organisers and racers, though, Tietema is conscious that the team should take gradual steps, not just leap at every possible opportunity.

“There is only one time that we can do the Tour de France for the first time, and there is only one moment where we can do a Monument for the first time, so what we want to do is make every year a new step and a new milestone on our journey.

“When we possibly get an invite to a Monument next year, we might have to say ‘no, next year we are going to do our first WorldTour races,’ perhaps an Amstel Gold or an Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and then in 2025, that will be the first Monument or first Grand Tour. Then in 2026, possibly our first Tour de France. This way, we are making episodes of our journey instead of being too greedy and wanting everything already in the first year.”

It is no surprise that a team originating from a YouTube channel are tied so strongly to the idea of a narrative journey, though Tietema makes no illusions of where he wants that journey to go.

“To go to the Tour de France in 2026 - that’s the ultimate goal,” he concluded. “We want to do that with the most people from the start to the very end, I want to keep people with us on the road because that is the identity and that is how you take people on the journey with you.”

Although Amstel Gold, Monuments and the Tour de France may be on the horizon for Tietema’s squad, first up is their big screen premiere in The Hague in a little under two weeks. Their journey to the ProConti ranks has been nothing short of entertaining, but it remains to be seen how the sequel will stack up.

Features

Racing Features

'Dave would think this was marvellous' - Rayner Foundation Dinner sees continued support for Next-Gen British talent

Ollie Knight of Cofidis was handed the Lewis Barry Award for Rider of the Year, before being congratulated by Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek)

 describes Cofidis, as fellow Rayner-funded rider 

 prepares to become the second Brit on the French WorldTeam in 2024. Wood's words are said in jest, of course, and immediately draw laughter from the Leeds crowd who have gathered at the annual 

The night is one of celebration and crowned by the presentation of the Lewis Barry Award for Rider of the Year to Knight, who is quick to pose for a photo alongside special guest for the evening, 

. A former road race world champion, Deignan is the perfect role model for the young male and female cyclists in the room who are plying their trade on the continent.

To help them chase their dreams of turning professional, 

 is a charity that has supported young British cyclists for nigh-on three decades and turned 

's tragic death into a heartwarming legacy.

Each year, they provide funds, advice and even accommodation to riders like Knight, Wood and the recent 

 acquisition, Charlie Paige, without which many of these young British riders would not have the opportunity to race in Europe.

As part of their fundraising efforts, a black-tie dinner is held each year in Yorkshire, at which attendees can rub shoulders with the stars of tomorrow, enjoy a three-course meal and take part in a hotly-contested auction for some exclusive memorabilia.

 were amongst the roll call at the Royal Armouries on Saturday evening and were treated to a night of entertainment full of new friendships, goodwill and insightful conversations with Dave Rayner's parents and friends.

The British love a good mingle. Whether it be in self-policing queues or airport departure lounges, the opportunity to have a natter with a nearby stranger is always taken up with hearty enthusiasm. And for it, nights like the Rayner Foundation Dinner are all the better. Complementary champagne and beer on arrival help to open the conversation floodgates and before long, the staff would have a job on their hands herding the hundreds gathered in the foyer to their seats.

Once in the event room itself, a cheery start to the night continues as welcome speeches are made by our host for the evening, 

/Eurosport’s Hannah Walker, before the seated masses, are called to their feet once more to partake in a game commonly known as heads and tails.

The rules (?), you ask. As the ringmaster flips a coin on stage, each member of the audience either puts their hands on their head (to call heads) or their hips (to call tails), with those calling wrong having to acknowledge defeat and sit down. Whilst they might be winners on the road, the special guests for the evening, Deignan, Wood, 

Their time will come, however, with after-dinner interviews in the pipeline with all four, alongside Giles Pidcock of 

, an elite UK junior team who have been supported by the Rayner Foundation for many years.

First up, though, a three-course meal that lets the tables get to know one another, allows the refreshments to keep flowing and gives 

 a chance to catch a word with those who were closest to Dave Rayner, whose death in 1994 prompted his friends to set up what was known as the Dave Rayner Fund.

Dave Rayner’s story, from East Bradford CC to Tuscany

Sitting on a table alongside Rayner-funded riders Paige, 

 is introduced to Dave’s father John Rayner when he comes to greet three of the 24 riders listed as funded riders. Dave Rayner is a name known by all young British riders looking to turn pro, but this is the first time that the trio have met John and his passion leaves all three with an extra insight into the people behind their support.

The Rayner Foundation, as it is now known, was set up almost immediately after Dave’s death in 1994. “It was the idea of Dave’s friends,” recalls Dave’s mother, Barbara Rayner. “They approached us and asked us if we were okay with it

“They wanted to do something, they didn’t know what at first,” adds John. “It has developed into 28 years of this Fund and it has been fantastic, the people who set it all up live in the Bradford area, and they all knew our Dave really well.”

One of those men on the Board of the Rayner Foundation is Bernard Burns Sr, a professional cyclist in his own right in the 1960s, whose son Bernie Burns Jr was best friends with Dave from their youth right up until the latter’s sad death.

“We both joined the same cycling club, East Bradford Cycling Club, when we were 12/13 years old, which was our local club and quite a good club at the time with some good riders,” says Burns Jr. “We both joined as probably the youngest people in the Club and became best friends, rode together after school every day and raced together.”

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree with messrs Burns and Rayner. In 

Tom Southam’s excellent article for Rouleur 48

, John recalls being too young himself to join East Bradford CC as a kid, and having to wait until he was 12 to join the group rides. Now a sports director with 

, Southam is one of many riders who benefitted from Rayner Foundation funding at the beginning of his professional career. Back in the 1980s, the idea of several British riders making a career racing in Europe was but a pipedream.

“You wouldn’t have been able to count five British riders when our Dave rode,” says John, with Sean Yates and Pippa York (formerly Robert Millar) the trailblazers.

In their days as juniors, it was Burns Jr who had the better of Dave and opened the door for both boys to start racing in Italy in 1984.

“I was slightly more developed at 15/16, Dave was quite a slim, scrawny rider so he was always slightly underpowered at that age, but as he got older that became an advantage to him,” recalls Burns Jr. “I got the opportunity when I was 17 to go and spend a year in an Italian team, just off the back of my results in the UK and the lad I went with [Nigel Simpson] was homesick. He came home and the team Porcari-Fanini-Berti asked if I knew of anyone who could fill his place.”

The answer was a resounding yes and despite recently becoming an apprentice electrician, Dave’s parents convinced him to move to Italy. Based in Lucca in Tuscany, this was a far cry from Yorkshire but both boys relished the chance to race abroad.

“In the same little hotel we had professional riders living there as well,” notes Burns Jr. “People like Rolf Sorenson, Søren Lilholt, Jens Veggerby and Jesper Worre, who were all world champions and came over to live in Italy. Back then, France was seen as a really hard place to race, whereas you got looked after a lot better in Italy.”

Dave excelled in the three seasons he ended up spending in Italy, and his father John delights in telling us of his battles with then-teammate 

, who would go on to win 42 stages of the 

 and the men’s World Championship road race in 2002.

"They had to split them, you see, send Mario to the races that were flat. They were combatting each other, Mario couldn't get up the hills but Dave couldn't sprint! He's won a lot of races, has Dave, with sprints - but these are long sprints at the end of a lumpy course."

After toing and froing with Cipollini as a junior, Dave would go on to enjoy a successful career with Raleigh-Banana, the UK’s premier team at the time, Buckler-Colnago-Decca, a professional team headed up by Jan Raas, and IME-Healthshare, as Dave enjoyed a period racing in the United States. 

But for Burns Jr and all those who had the pleasure of meeting Dave before his death, it was his character that sticks in the memory more than anything else.

“We were best mates. I was a quiet person, Dave was quite loud and we bounced off each other as always the life and soul of the party. I was an usher at his wedding, Gary [Dave’s brother] was the best man and then unfortunately I was there the night he died.”

Grievously injured by a nightclub bouncer in November 1994, Dave would never wake from the subsequent head trauma and be robbed of his planned move to the Saab team the following season. With his life tragically ended at the age of just 27, the Rayner Foundation Dinner evokes a bittersweet sense for his parents who, in the riders that benefit from the funding each season, they see what might have been for their son had it not been for his passing.

“It is just like Dave is still here,” says John. “Every week, we see a Dave Rayner rider has won so it is nice but at the same time it's upsetting."

"It's more upsetting for me,” adds Barbara, “I had him. It doesn't matter how long it's been, I still get upset because he was such a lovely lad as well."

The Burns and Rayner families remain close to this day, and the incredible legacy that has grown from such tragic circumstances is not lost on any of them. “Dave's mum and dad must be so proud,” Burns Jr says. “Off the back of such a sad event, it's brought the opportunity to all these young riders. I've been coming here to the Dinner for years and it's made me cry quite often, thinking of Dave and looking at what has happened since."

Beginning with David Millar, Charly Wegelius, Danny Webb, Paul Moore and Daniel Moore in 1996, the Rayner Foundation has since supported over 250 British cyclists and raised more than £1,000,000 in the process. Of the current WorldTour peloton, Giro d’Italia winner 

 are all former recipients, and Dave’s parents believe he would be incredibly proud of what his friends have been able to achieve in his name.

"If David could see this now, he'd think it were marvellous, he really would,” Barbara tells us.

Remembered fondly as an outgoing, humourous character who delighted at seeing fellow British riders at races in mainland Europe, Dave would most certainly have appreciated the funny quips offered up by Cofidis’ Harrison Wood in the after-dinner interviews.

‘Bonnet de douche,’ jokes Cofidis’ answer to Del Boy

With the meals swiftly put away, attention in the Royal Armouries changes once more from the dinner plate to the stage, upon which Walker chats to those who have now become part of the illustrious Dave Rayner legacy.

Alongside the 24 funded riders listed in the night’s programme, 84 junior riders have benefitted from the Rayner Foundation in 2023 and Giles Pidcock of Fensham Howes-MAS Design reveals that three of their nine trips this season would not have been possible without this support - the last of which gleaned a meeting with former world champion Philippe Gilbert.

Pidcock is quick to note that British riders are well-liked by teams out on the continent because, much like Dave himself back in the 1980s, they are known for their hard work ethic. However, in this room, it is not just the riders who work hard. Indeed, many will be hard-pressed to outdo the efforts of our auctioneer for the evening, who provokes quite a flurry of bids as part of the fundraising efforts.

 hospitality experience at the Tour de France, a signed national champion’s jersey from 

), and a replica Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré yellow jersey - laden with the original, signed bib number from 1961 winner, Brian Robinson. The late Yorkshireman was the President of the Rayner Foundation until his death last year and this item eventually sells for £1000 to its lucky buyer.

Each of the five lots is met by a room full of enthusiastic arms being hoisted aloft in the air as part of the bidding process, with vital funds being raised for next year and beyond for the Rayner Foundation. The auction serves as the perfect aperitif for the introduction of the night’s special guests to the stage – Flynn, Askey, Wood and Deignan – all four of whom are past recipients of Rayner funding.

It is an apt evening for Deignan, who has recently moved back to Yorkshire and has already begun training for next season on her new/old home roads. “You need to change your stimulus,” she says, “you need to do something different. Everything is new [moving back home], everything is different, it reminds me of being a junior.”

The Lidl-Trek rider is entering the final year of her contract with the WorldTeam, but recently spoke to 

 of her intention to carry on riding beyond this season and reiterates her goal of targeting a Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift stage win.

'I miss the pressure' - Lizzie Deignan targets Tour de France Femmes and Olympic Games

Deignan’s description of Lidl-Trek as “the animators” contrasts with Wood’s light-hearted description of Cofidis’ cast of Brits as “a boy band that went wrong”.

Wood is in fine spirits as he entertains both his table and crowd alike, having enjoyed an impressive first full season as part of the UCI WorldTeam. The 23-year-old will be joined by Ollie Knight next season and notes that one of his biggest lessons from 2023 is that riding as a domestique is basically “eating and drinking for a living”.

Supporting his teammates in races such as Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo and Il Lombardia, years of hard work are paying off for the Devon-born rider. Wood’s debut appearance in Il Lombardia came 32 years after Dave Rayner rode to 83rd in the 1991 edition.

'Thibaut is God for us' – Spending a day with the Collectif Ultras Pinot at Il Lombardia

Just as British riders have always had to suffer through since the days of Robinson and Tom Simpson venturing out to the continent, Wood has had the hard task of trying to learn the lingo as part of his new team.

Wood is a natural joker, much like Dave, and is quick to compare his linguistic efforts to those of Del Boy from the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses, who notoriously had a very loose grasp of the French language. “Bonnet de douche,” laughs Wood from the stage, a classic Del Boy line that the character insisted meant ‘French and impressive’, but actually translates to ‘shower cap’.

As the night’s entertainment is drawing to a close, Wood’s comments raise a cackle of laughter from the room and sum up an evening well spent amongst friends both old and new. All that is left is for Joscelin Ryan of the Rayner Foundation to announce the recipient of the Lewis Barry Award for Rider of the Year, which has a star-studded list of past winners including 

Following a year in which his sensational form for AVC Aix-en-Provence has led to a two-year contract with Cofidis, Knight is deservedly crowned the latest winner of this award and sports a proud grin as he quickly thanks his family, friends and the Rayner Foundation for their support in his journey to the WorldTour.

Rayner Foundation prepares to enter its 30th year, as the support of British riders continues

As Knight and his fellow funded riders venture off into the night air to celebrate another successful season, the annual Rayner Foundation Dinner draws to a close. Some riders, like Knight, Paige and Tom Portsmouth (Bingoal WB), will now bid adieu to Rayner funding, as their dream of a professional contract comes to fruition, whilst others will look forward to another season of hard work, language practice and European racing.

From David Millar to Ollie Knight, the support for British cyclists has come a long way. Whereas once it was the dreams of a small handful of riders that the Rayner Foundation supported, now it is a steady stream of athletes who are making the move from domestic racing to the UCI WorldTour.

"I grew up in an era where very few riders went to Europe,” Burns Jr tells us. “It was expensive, there wasn't the funding in the UK, British Cycling had no money and I used to go to Belgium to race for a few weeks – but it was out of your own pocket. Whereas now, British Cycling has money and the Rayner Fund enables these young lads to at least have the opportunity to chase their dream.”

With Knight, Paige and Portsmouth now on professional terms, attention turns to 2024 and the Rayner Foundation’s 30th year. By now well established as vital to the British cycling scene, the Rayner Foundation is held close to the heart of many, as is the memory of Dave Rayner, whose short but well-spent life has now inspired countless careers in the peloton.

With 2023 in the rearview mirror, one question remains: who will be the next British youngster to live out their dream supported by the Rayner Foundation?

To discover more about the Rayner Foundation, their Etape du Dales fundraising event and the plans for Team Rayner in 2024, 

Tour de Tietema-Unibet will be Charlie Paige's home for the next two seasons

 to their roster on a two-year deal. The 22-year-old, supported by the 

, has raced for amateur sides in France for four years and has put pen to paper on his first professional contract. 

"It sounds cliché, but I think it is honestly a dream come true," Paige told 

. "When I first began cycling, it was always my dream to become professional, to be able to say that in 2024 and 2025 I will be a professional cyclist, there are no real words for it.

"I am super excited and even though it hasn’t sunk in yet, I feel like I am ready when I look back at how far I’ve come over the past ten years."

The long journey from youth racing in the United Kingdom for his dad's bike shop to spending four years with French amateur sides has paid off for the Lancastrian, who becomes the fifth new addition to TDT-Unibet's squad for 2024. 

The Dutch team are currently a UCI Conti outfit, but are pencilled in to become a ProConti side in 2024 and their project is one that excites the current 

"I had a good chat with Julia [Soek, assistant directeur sportif] and I like their project a lot," Paige noted. "The thing that leapt out to me was that the riders and staff had such confidence in the project. There is a mutual understanding that if the team takes a chance on its riders, then the riders can take a chance on the team.

"They were the first team who took a real interest and I very much like the idea of the team. It is different, cool and quirky, rather than a usual bike racing team."

Rayner Foundation support proves invaluable as Paige takes the traditional route 

In an era that is ever-more dominated by young hotshots, many of whom have progressed through development squads and similar fast-track programmes, Paige's journey has been somewhat more traditional. 

Following the path trodden by riders dating back to the days of Brian Robinson and Tom Simpson, the man from Clitheroe has plied his trade with French amateur teams having jetted out to the continent in the search of his dream. 

Moving to France in 2020 with Team U Cube 17, Paige turned down the opportunity to go to university and instead earned his spurs in France supported by the Rayner Foundation. Their fund was founded in 1995 following the death of Dave Rayner, and their aim is to support the development of young British cyclists who dream of turning pro. 

"I remember attending their Foundation Dinner as a junior and being very inspired," Paige reflected. "There are plenty of others who have come through now like Adam Yates [UAE Team Emirates], Sam Watson [Groupama-FDJ], Owain Doull, James Shaw [both EF Education-EasyPost] et cetera, so to add my name to the list of professionals who have come through the Rayner Foundation is a real honour.

"They have supported me financially over the past four years, but the other side of the Rayner Foundation is that it creates a real network of British cyclists out on the continent. If you ever had a problem, be it bureaucratic, medical or financial, the Foundation would always be there."

With his move to TDT-Unibet revealed, Paige joins fellow Rayner Foundation athlete Oliver Knight (Cofidis) in penning professional terms for 2024. However, his first couple of years on the continent proved a shock to the system for the 22-year-old, forcing him into long-term planning which has now proved beneficial.

"My first year in France was rather humbling," Paige admits. 

"I saw the level in France and I was shocked by how high it was. It was almost like a wall had completely blocked my path. It took two weeks of racing for it to click, before I said to myself, ‘I’m going to need an awfully long time to get this,’ just to chip away little by little, and then I said ‘okay, it’s not going to be my first year U23, I’ve got four years now, it is not what I do in 2020, it is what I do in 2023 that’s going to matter.’" 

Paige battles Darren Rafferty and Isaac del Toro to impress TDT-Unibet 

Whilst his long-term vision was admirable, Paige had not accounted for a disastrous end to the 2022 season that threatened to curtail his professional dreams altogether. 

"I had a heavy crash at the back end of last year and fractured two parts of my pelvis, my pubic bone and two vertebrae," Paige revealed. "When I got back onto my bike in December and January, I overtrained and was overmotivated because I had it in my head that 2023 was the year I was going professional, I was going to put everything on the line."

Training too hard led Paige to develop serious iron deficiency anaemia, which left him crippled throughout the spring and reaching his lowest point at the Annemasse-Bellegarde. 

"I got dropped on the first 4km climb, there was a peloton of 200 guys and I was getting dropped with much larger guys. My DS was not particularly happy with me after the race and I got quite a grilling; ‘you’re a climber who can’t climb,’ he said to me."

Subsequent blood tests led to his iron deficiency diagnosis and a prescribed period of low-intensity training, coupled with iron supplements. Back on track, the second half of Paige's season has seen him mixing it with the best U23 riders in the world and capturing the attention of the likes of 

, owner and general manager of TDT-Unibet. 

"The real breakthrough was at the Valle d’Aosta," Paige reflected, "getting fourth at what my directeur sportif describes as the ‘World Champs for U23 climbers.' From there, Bas reached out to me and gave me their ideas for 2024, that they wanted to go ProConti."

Indeed, at the Valle d'Aosta, Paige finished fourth behind race winner 

, who subsequently signed for EF Education-EasyPost, 

, who is on the fast track to Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, and 

, Tour de l'Avenir winner and UAE Team Emirates' latest recruit. 

EF Education-EasyPost sign Irish talent Darren Rafferty

19-year-old Mexican talent Isaac del Toro signs for UAE Team Emirates

Isaac del Toro: from anonymity to the top of the sport

"To be able to climb with the likes of [them] was special," he admits. "I was climbing with Del Toro at Valle d’Aosta, he was a strong climber for sure, but I was matching him, and to be able to look at the Tour de l’Avenir and think ‘that is the level I am at now,’ I still don’t think it has sunk in."

Now his attention will soon turn to 2024 and his first of two seasons with TDT-Unibet who, whilst only in their first year of competition, have already 

 to aim for a wildcard entry at the Tour de France. 

For Paige, the road has been longer, paving his way from the Green Jersey Cycling Club in England, to the amateur scene in France and finally, onto his first professional team. For the Rayner Foundation, it is another proud moment as one of their own makes the step up to the ProConti level. 

"We have seen Adam Yates, James Shaw and riders who were on the fund, to whom the younger riders can look up to," recognised Paige. He can add his own name to those ranks now. Who will be the next young Brit to follow in his footsteps? 

The tickets for the annual Rayner Foundation Charity Dinner are on sale now, with the likes of Charlie Paige promised to be in attendance in Leeds. 

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