Every young cyclist dreams of Tour de France - Stewart

Coventry-born Jake Stewart is now based in the Peak District

When Spain's Alberto Contador eclipsed the much-publicised return of Lance Armstrong to win the Tour de France in 2009, it had a knock-on effect further down the road.

For Coventry's Jake Stewart, a keen nine-year-old rider who had not long started at Solihull Cycling Club, it signalled a gear change in his ambition.

On Saturday, the 24-year-old from Tile Hill rides in his first Tour de France. And, although this will be the first time since 1975 that the 121-year old Tour has not ended in its traditional last leg along the Champs-Elysees in Paris, Stewart cannot wait to get started.

“It’s what every young cyclist dreams of," he told BBC CWR.

“When I started out at Solihull Cycling Club it was much more for the social side. It was never really an ambition.

“But it was the 2009 Tour de France that really got me into the sport and lit the fire."

Having been selected by his new team Israel-Premier Tech, Stewart will line up for the 111th edition of the great race across the Italian border in Florence as the Tour again makes its now customary start outside France.

Because of a clash with the Olympic Games, Paris is otherwise occupied - and it will end outside the French capital for the first time since 1905, in the south of France in Nice, on Sunday, 21 July.

If he can stay out of early trouble, Stewart is tipped as capable of winning a stage - and has designs on shining in the latter stages of Le Tour.

"The first week is just about staying on your bike and staying upright," he said. "Then it settles down a bit and you concentrate on the racing."

Jake Stewart (front row, second left) did his early riding at Solihull Cycling Club

Stewart, who has done most of his practising for the race in the Peak District where he is based, has had quite a journey just to make the start line.

He represented England in the cycling road race through Warwick as part of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 - but that came only after being diagnosed with a long-term inflammatory bowel condition and also Covid-19, which temporarily stopped him from competing.

But, as the first Coventry-born rider to take part in the Tour, he is thankful for all the help he has had.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some great people and great coaches," he said.

“There has been a ridiculous number of people involved in my career to get me to where I am.

“And my family have allowed me to evolve as a person without being pushy parents.

“It’s the biggest race in the cycling calendar, one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.

“There is so much pressure and media attention but really it’s just a big travelling circus round France for three weeks. And I have a massive sense of pride to be part of it."

Jake Stewart was talking to BBC CWR's Phil Upton