Why haven't NSN Cycling's Stevie Williams and Joe Blackmore raced this season?

Stevie Williams and Joe Blackmore, two prominent riders for NSN Cycling, have yet to compete this season due to ongoing medical issues. Williams has not raced for 351 days, while Blackmore’s last race was 201 days ago. Both riders have previously excelled in the Ardennes Classics, with Williams winning La Flèche Wallonne and Blackmore securing the under-23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2024, making their absence this season all the more notable as the same races approach once again. NSN Cycling recently addressed the situation, revealing that Williams is undergoing intensive rehabilitation for quadriceps tendinopathy, an inflammation affecting the tendon at the top of his knee. This injury has caused significant pain and weakness, preventing him from training fully. Blackmore, meanwhile, is dealing with persistent knee pain that requires further specialist consultations in the UK and Belgium. The team has not yet announced when either rider might return to competition. Williams has been open about his struggles, describing the sharp knee pain that began after the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in early 2025. Despite the setback, he remains determined to recover, drawing on past experiences of overcoming tendon injuries during his early WorldTour years. His focus is currently on regaining full health rather than immediate racing performance, emphasising the importance of a pain-free return. Details about Blackmore’s condition remain less clear, but his absence is keenly felt given his rapid rise in the sport. The 23-year-old made headlines in 2024 as the first British winner of the Tour de l’Avenir, a key under-23 event. His last appearance was at the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda, where he started but did not finish the elite road race. Fans and team members alike await updates on his recovery and potential comeback. With no confirmed return dates for either rider, NSN Cycling faces uncertainty as the season progresses. The ongoing rehabilitation of two of their key athletes highlights the challenges professional cyclists face with injury management. Support from the team and fans will be crucial as Williams and Blackmore work towards resuming their racing careers.