"We have a stacked pool of riders who are world class" - Stephen Williams confident Great Britain can make impact in World Championship road race

Next Sunday in the men's road race at the 2024 World Championships in Zürich, some of the biggest names in the male peloton embark on the yearly battle to crown themselves world champion. Among the dark horses for Rainbow Jersey success will be Great Britain's Stephen Williams.

"I think with GB now we have a lot of strength in depth in climbing and punching," the Israel - Premier Tech rider tells Cycling Weekly, referring to a strong British lineup that also includes the likes of Tom Pidcock, Adam Yates, Simon Yates and Oscar Onley. "We have a stacked pool of riders who are world class. So whether I go there and attempt to race the final, or I go there and support someone else deep into the race, that's also okay. It'll be something we speak about closer to the time once we're there, which is when we'll start to make decisions and look at how we can do our best."

Williams has seemingly stepped up to a higher level in 2024, taking notable general classification triumphs at the Tour Down Under and the Tour of Britain, plus the biggest one day result of his career in emerging victorious from a particularly brutal edition of La Fleche Wallonne. "I don't think I could have told you at the start of the year or in winter last year, that I'd be able to be sitting here now as a winner of these races," Williams reflects. "Sometimes I really have to pinch myself and try and figure out if it's real or not. So that's super special for me, especially after all the shit in the past."

"It just really shows that anyone who's suffering with injuries or going through a bad moment just keep the faith, and then hopefully you'll come out the other side and be even better for it," continues the 28-year-old Welshman. "That certainly worked for me."

And although the Rainbow Jersey remains the big target for him, Williams can't help but have one eye on the upcoming off-season after such a long and gruelling campaign in 2024. "I can't wait to be able to sit down and watch some football and watch Liverpool," he concludes. "They are playing really well now so I'll follow them for most of the winter as I do now, but hopefully I'll actually get to a couple of football games and just enjoy it all. Otherwise it'll be good to spend time with friends and family, spend time with my girlfriend, and just forget about the bike for a few weeks until we gradually build it all up again."