A Year of Triumphs and Lessons

By Will Gilbank, sponsored rider for Highway Cycles

2024 has been a year of both triumphs and invaluable lessons, a year of racing hard, facing setbacks, and ultimately growing stronger as an athlete. As a sponsored rider for Highway Cycles, I’ve had the opportunity to push myself in some of the most challenging and rewarding events in the cycling calendar. From training camps in Mallorca, to international competitions, this year has been a journey of highs and lows that have given me the tools to grow both as a cyclist and as a person.

Mallorca Training Camp: Starting Strong

The year kicked off in Mallorca, with a week-long training camp alongside my teammates at Lee Valley Cycling Club. It was a brutal 30-hour week of training, which tested my endurance and focus. The highlight of the camp was my first Spanish race, which, contrary to expectations, turned out to be completely flat—until the last 5 kilometres, that is!

The Cap De Formentor loop was the stage for the final climb, where I was determined to set up my teammates for the finish. Although I knew I wouldn’t be competing for the win on the climb, I gave everything on the flat, leading the race from the final 4 kilometres, to the base of the climb. My focus was on delivering my teammates to the best possible position, and it paid off when one of them finished in the top 10. This early season success showed me the importance of team strategy and positioning.

Senior Track Nationals: A Lesson in Planning

Just a few days after Mallorca, I faced the senior track nationals in Manchester. This was a real eye-opener. Despite my preparation, the fatigue from the training camp left me struggling physically and mentally, and I didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped. Looking back, the problem was clear—I hadn’t planned my season properly. I’d gone from a gruelling training week directly into senior nationals, a category I had only competed in once before.

That weekend in Manchester taught me a vital lesson: I needed to plan my season more strategically, deciding early on which races to target and which goals were realistic. This insight is already shaping my plans for 2025, where I’ll be much more focused on managing my workload and choosing the right events to maximize my performance.

The Cicle Classic: A Race of Chaos

Later in the season, I lined up for the Cicle Classic, a 120km road race in the Rutland area. The race involved plenty of off-road sectors, and I can only describe the experience as utter carnage.

Early on, I was caught in a massive crash, and after a long struggle, I feared the worst. But I wasn’t ready to give up. I fought through the pain and managed to finish in the top 20, out of 120 starters.

The next 100km were spent relentlessly chasing down lost time. While I didn’t manage to catch up with the front group, I was consistently overtaking riders and pushing myself to the limit. It was a true test of mental resilience and determination.

Acht van Blaldel: A Flat Battle with Cobblestones

Next, I headed to the Netherlands for the Acht van Blaldel, a prestigious UCI2.1 junior race held over three days. The flat terrain and cobbled roads suited my strengths, and I finished the first race in the top 25 and continued to perform well throughout the competition, finishing top 30 in the final stages and top 40 in the time trial.

At an average speed of around 30mph, the pace was blistering, and the race was filled with crashes. My sprint finishes were a true test of my grit and positioning, especially on the challenging 90-degree corners. The race taught me a lot about my capabilities, and I felt that I was in the right place, pushing my limits against some of the best in the world.

London 3 Day: Racing with the Elite

To close out the year, I raced at the London 3 Day, hosted at the Lee Valley VeloPark. While my partner and I didn’t finish as well as we’d hoped (coming last overall), it was a humbling experience that gave me an invaluable insight into what it takes to compete at the very highest level.

Racing against world champions—literally some of the best cyclists on the planet—was both inspiring and eye-opening. Despite the tough results, we achieved some top-10 finishes in various events and learned what life is like at the elite level.

The race was mentally and physically exhausting, with 160km sessions at an average speed of 45km/h, but the crowd’s energy and the chance to race against Olympic Gold Medallist, Elia Viviani, made it a memorable experience.

Though we didn’t win, the experience was priceless, and we walked away with a greater sense of how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As I reflect on 2024, I’m filled with gratitude for the support I’ve received from Highway Cycles and the trust they’ve placed in me. My Trek Emonda SLR7 has been a steadfast companion through all the highs and lows, helping me perform to the best of my ability, no matter the conditions.

Looking forward, I’m excited for 2025. I have big plans to target more track races and UCI events across Europe. I’ll continue to race on the track for One Life Cycle, while also taking to the road with Beeston Cycling Club in Nottingham. I’m also grateful for the support of Loughborough University, which has become my new home and a hub for my academic and athletic development.

2024 has been a year of lessons, growth, and perseverance. While not every result was what I wanted, I’ve learned how to become more strategic, mentally tough, and physically resilient. I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings—and with the support of my team, sponsors, and supporters, I’m ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.

Happy Christmas to all.

Will.