Clancy BriggsBlog

U23 Team 

At ClancyBriggs, we’re committed to developing the next generation of cyclists by providing our supported  U23 riders with the coaching, skills, and experience they need to transition into senior racing. This year, we’re supporting a talented group of young riders with a tailored approach—offering personalised 1:1 coaching, structured training camps, and hands-on mentorship from our experienced former pros, Graham and Ali. More than just a team, this is a stepping stone for riders moving up from the junior ranks, helping them refine their racecraft, build confidence, and prepare for the demands of senior competition. 

With a strong focus on development, we’ve already prioritised opportunities to bring the team together, including two training weekends in Nottinghamshire and an intensive week-long camp in Mallorca. Read on to learn more about our 2025 squad, their journey so far, and how we’re preparing them for the season ahead. 

Oli Akers 
Name - Oli Akers
Age - 19
Rider type - All rounder
Favourite race to watch - Strade Bianche
Favourite Rider - WVA
Interesting fact - I'm excited to be regaining some fitness & looking to go up the road in some big races! If it wasn't for this team I wouldn't be riding a bike competitively.

Iwan Clark 

Name - Iwan Clark  
Age - 18 
Rider type - Climber  
Favourite race to watch - the Tour de France it’s the biggest, fastest and by far the most exciting.  
Favourite race to take part in - any road race with a hilly course or the maindy crits in the summer.  
Favourite Rider - Geraint Thomas   I’m most excited to get stuck in to longer road races and to test myself against the best riders in the uk.  
Interesting fact - I’m a fluent Welsh speaker and am doing my A-level through the medium of Welsh. 

 Felix Earth 

Name – Felix Earth 
Age - 18 
Rider type – Anything but a sprinter! 
Favourite race to take part in – So far, it’s Cicle Classic, it’s not far from my house & a bit of a special race to me. 
Favourite Rider – Matthieu Van Der Poel I’m most excited to win some races, ride with the team & have a good laugh. 
Interesting fact – I'm studying sports management at Loughborough. 

Sion Jones 
Name - Sion Jones
Age - 18
Rider type - All-rounder
Favourite Rider - Tadej Pogacar
Favourite race to take part in - Would be really excited to race Lincoln GP if I get entry this year.
Favourite ride snack?: Squares bar!

A few weeks ago following 2 training weekends over the winter (one in November & one in January), we stepped up preparations for the season with a 1 week training camp out in Mallorca. Not only was this a chance to escape the cold weather, but it was also a great opportunity to get the riders together along with coaches Ali & Graham & run some training drills, leadouts and mini races - all great ways of sharing experience and developing more than just fitness. 

Day 1: Flight & bike build. 

Day 2:  4h:30 | 135km | 2000m | A steady group ride with a flat start & a couple of climbs at riders own pace to finish.

Day 3: 5h:00 | 147km | 2300m | Hill climb day, out to SaCalobra & a 30m top to bottom effort, before riding out the mountains and looping home on the flat.

Day 4: 4h:00 | 125km | 1300m | A flatter ride with one 15m climb with riders specific efforts, a great chance to regulate fatigue in the group, with some riders completing efforts and some taking the climb at a steadier pace. 

Day 5: 6h:15 | 185km | 3000m | The long day, a big loop taking in some fantastic roads and famous climbs. 

Day 6: 1h:15 | 32km | 150m | Rest day & of course a cafe stop. We tied this in with the most unsettled weather of the week.

Day 7: 3h:30 | 125km | 1000m | Leadouts, TTT & race sim.  A really great way to finish the week, with tired legs we took the opportunity to work on staying smooth while riding a TTT before culminating in a full gas leadout. Being on the bike with the riders and having the time to stop & feedback after each effort was really valuable.

Day 8: Short ride & flight home.

How did the idea to support a group of U23 riders come about?

The idea stemmed from our work with many of these riders in 2024 when they were still juniors. We realized they had limited opportunities for 2025, so the conversation naturally evolved from there. Ali and I have gained a wealth of experience from years of high-level racing, and we’ve always been passionate about passing that knowledge on to the next generation. That’s one of the key reasons we launched the academy back in 2019.

What makes the CB U23 race project so valuable for the riders?

The biggest value comes from the experience that Ali and I bring. Between us, we’ve raced at a high level for years—Tour of Britain, national championships, UCI races, and national team appearances, to name a few. The UK has a lot of talented young riders, but not all of them secure spots on development or pro teams straight out of the junior ranks. In recent years, the UK domestic scene has lost some major teams, along with a lot of experienced riders. The level remains high, but some of that knowledge has been lost. Our goal with the U23 team is to bridge that gap—passing on vital insights and accelerating the riders’ development.

The team also fits within the broader Academy structure, creating a clear pathway for younger riders as they transition into senior racing. We hope this inspires them and helps with their progression.

What has been your favorite experience with the group so far?

There have been quite a few! One highlight has been seeing how well the riders gel as a group. Over the winter, we organized training weekends, which provided a great opportunity to get to know them better and see how they’re progressing on the bike.

If I had to pick just one standout experience, it would be our recent trip to Mallorca. It was an invaluable opportunity for the riders to learn how to manage themselves during back-to-back training days. Things like nutrition, sleep, and off-the-bike recovery became a major focus, which will be crucial for their future development.

What are you most looking forward to with the team this year?

Racing with the guys is definitely what I’m most excited about. We’re in a unique position where we can compete alongside them, offering real-time guidance on positioning and tactics. That experience will make our post-race feedback even more impactful.

I’m also really looking forward to seeing how they progress throughout the season. We’ve already spent a lot of time together, and for me, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching them grow and develop into stronger, smarter bike racers.

This year, we’re excited to get out to events with the team. They’re a fantastic group, and cycling is so much more enjoyable in a supportive, team-focused environment where you can push yourself while also having a laugh around the racing. 

Road cycling in the UK has evolved in recent years, and we believe that by bringing together a mix of experienced riders and developing talent, we can accelerate the progress of the younger riders —especially those who may have come to the sport or physically developed later than others. Learning the nuances of road racing takes time, and we want to provide a space where these riders can gain that experience without feeling like they’ve missed the boat or are under time pressure. Our focus is on getting the fundamentals right: communicating as a group before races so everyone understands the plan and has a role to play, and then debriefing afterward to reflect, learn, and grow together. 

Looking ahead, we’re committed to making this a long-term project. Right now, opportunities in the UK are limited for riders who take up the sport later or develop at a different pace, often forcing them to consider the financial and logistical challenges of racing abroad. We want this team to be a sustainable pathway—somewhere these riders can continue developing, refining their skills, and competing at a high level without that additional burden. Our goal is to build something that lasts, creating a team where talent, hard work, and dedication matter more than when you started.