"Step by step I’m feeling stronger" - NSN rider returns to the bike a year after a knee injury
Cycling
Stevie Williams says he is finally moving in the right direction in his recovery after a frustrating spell on the sidelines that has kept the NSN Cycling Team rider out of competition since last season’s Eschborn-Frankfurt.
The Welshman has endured a difficult period after being hampered by a persistent right knee problem, identified earlier this year as quadriceps tendinopathy. The injury first disrupted the start of his 2025 campaign in Australia and has continued to limit his ability to race consistently.
Williams had briefly returned to action for the Giro d’Abruzzo and the Ardennes Classics, but admitted in a previous update that the issue had not fully settled. That setback forced him to miss both the Welsh National Championships and the Tour de France, two major targets on his calendar.
Now, however, there appears to be renewed optimism.
In a message shared on Instagram, Williams revealed he has spent recent weeks at SEG Performance in Amsterdam, where he has been working closely with physiotherapists and the wider performance staff in a bid to regain full fitness.
“Hi everyone, just a quick update to let you know things are heading in the right direction with my recovery,” Williams wrote.
“I’ve been dealing with an injury for a while now. Over the past few weeks I’ve been rehabbing at SEG Performance in Amsterdam, where I’ve been in great hands with the physios and the wider performance team. NSN Cycling Team has been closely involved throughout and continues to support me wherever needed.”
The 29-year-old admitted the rehabilitation process has been demanding, but said there are now clear signs of progress.
“It’s been a tough process, but step by step I’m feeling stronger and getting better. And the best part is: I’m back on the bike.”
That final line will be the most encouraging for both rider and team. After months of uncertainty, a return to regular training marks an important milestone and raises hopes that a race comeback could be near.
“If things keep progressing like this, hopefully it won’t be long before I’m back racing again. Thanks for your support and I’ll see you soon!”
For now, the focus remains on patience and steady progression, but for the first time in months, Williams has been able to deliver the update he and his supporters had been waiting for. He is back on the bike, and edging closer to pinning on a race number once again.
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Carlos Silva is a writer for CyclingUpToDate.com, where he contributes race reports, interviews, analysis pieces, and live coverage of the international cycling calendar. Holding a degree in Sports from the Jean Piaget Institute, he combines academic knowledge of performance, training, and competition with hands-on journalism experience in professional cycling.
Throughout his career, Carlos has conducted interviews with leading figures in the sport, including Alberto Contador, Joaquim Rodríguez, Óscar Pereiro, João Almeida, Isaac del Toro, Derek Gee, John Degenkolb and Geraint Thomas. These conversations reflect direct engagement with Grand Tour winners, Classics specialists, and emerging talents.
He has provided on-site coverage at major events ranging from the Vuelta a España to the Tour de France, alongside stage races such as Vuelta a Andalucía, Volta ao Algarve, Volta a Portugal and O Gran Camiño. Covering the mythical climbs of the Giro d'Italia remains one of his professional ambitions.
Carlos is responsible for liveblog coverage of all major WorldTour races and beyond, including the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España. His reporting integrates verified data from ProCyclingStats to ensure statistical accuracy, contextual depth, and analytical precision.
A lifelong cycling enthusiast, he approaches storytelling across written, photographic, and video formats with a focus on credibility, tactical insight, and informed race interpretation.
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