FEATURE: BAR winner Stevens targets more success in 2026

After returning to time trialling as a sprightly 68-year-old, Michael Stevens enjoyed his best year ever in 2025, claiming national titles and records at the age of 76.
Based in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, ‘Spud’ Stevens secured the VTTA Best All-Rounder title over four distances last season as well as the three-distance BAR and the VTTA National 100-Mile Championship.
On top of that, he was first veteran on age-adjusted time at the RTTC National 12-Hour Championship, age group winner at the RTTC National 25-Mile and Hill-Climb Championships as well as setting national age records over 12 hours and 50 miles.
But can the Melton Olympic CC rider better his achievements in 2026? We caught up with him to find out how preparations are going.
“I’ve already entered 14 time trials as I like to set my season out early,” he said. “It is also better for my coach Paul Bennett at PB Performance Coaching as planning my training is easier for him.
“I do aim to do a few of the VTTA's National Championships including the 12 hour and the 100 this year. I would like to think I could do well in the Best All Rounder competition as I believe that my strength is definitely in endurance as I have got older.”
Stevens decided in 2018 that he wanted to return to competitive sport. A knee injury ruled out a return to running, so he turned to time trialling and rejoined his old club.
Two years later he entered his first 12-hour time trial, and signed up with coach Paul Bennett, an old friend who now lives in Spain.
“My training all comes via an app called Training Peaks and we talk on WhatsApp when needed,” explained Stevens. “We are now entering our sixth season together.
“Thanks to Paul and his coaching over the last five years I’ve managed to achieve far more than I could have ever expected.”
The age-adjusted system operated by the VTTA is an ideal way for athletes of all ages to be able to compete against each other, and proved the ideal way for Stevens to get back into competition.
“I originally came from a running background,” he said. “I also competed in triathlon and duathlon events, but as I got older I started to get a lot of injuries so had to give up running.
“Cycling was a great alternative as there is no impact on the joints. I love time trialling as it is just me against the clock.”
But was 2025 the target? Was Stevens building up to it as the pinnacle of several years of training and hard work?
“I didn’t have any expectations if I’m honest - I never do,” he said. “I just go into the season and give it my best.
“When I won the National 100 Championship no one was more surprised than me. I walked into the headquarters and saw I was leading on age-adjusted time by ten minutes or so, and then to have also won the group team prize also together with Mat Utterly and Kath Smith was mind blowing.
“In March I had a fall and tore my rotator cuff so was only able to stay on the tri bars for short periods due to the pain when putting weight on it. This was also the case in the 12-hour, so was pleased to be first vet there also.
“I knew at that point that my 100-mile and 50-mile times weren’t good enough to win the BAR so decided to do another 100 and 50. I knocked 10 minutes off the 100 and 15 minutes off the 50 so knew these may be good enough for BAR.”
“Thank you to my coach Paul for an amazing five years - long may it continue.
“Thank you also to my club Melton Olympic CC, The East Midlands Veterans’ Association and all my friends and family who give me so much support. Not forgetting Windmill Wheels thanks for the help and support over the last few years.
“I also have to say thank you to Mandy who never gives me grief for always being out on my bike!
“Remember all, age is just a number and you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it.”

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* Action photo by Kimroy Photography.