Redemption on Two Wheels: Ben Williams and the 2025 National 12-Hour TT Championships

Ben Williams lined up at the start of the 2025 National 12-Hour Time Trial Championships with quiet determination and no expectations. A year earlier, he'd attempted the same event but cracked halfway through. The race had haunted him ever since. But this time, he returned not only to finish what he started, but to deliver a stunning performance that earned him a silver medal, helped break a national team competition record, and confirmed his place among Britain’s best long-distance time trialists.

A Year of Change

After the disappointment of 2024, Ben and I took a different approach. We designed his training around long, consistent rides with emphasis on Zone 2 and 3, including some back-to-back weekend rides of 4–6 hours. Every key session was done in position on the TT bike. The goal was twofold: to build his endurance engine and help him feel completely at ease in his aero setup over ultra-distance.

One standout session came two weeks before the race—a 6-hour practice effort covering over 150 miles on the actual course. It gave us confidence in his pacing and nutrition, and proved that his form was exactly where it needed to be.

Ben's return to form wasn’t without setbacks. A broken collarbone in February delayed things, but his commitment never wavered. By June, he was back to full strength.

Execution on the Day

Ben’s race data tells a story of composure and control. His average power of 219 W and steady cadence of 78 rpm delivered an average speed of 41 km/h. He spent over 9 hours in Endurance zone, and more than 2.5 hours at Tempo, with minimal time at threshold—evidence of exceptional pacing. His heart rate held steady at 138 bpm, sitting well below threshold, further showing the aerobic discipline and confidence required to perform at this level.

In terms of execution, Ben didn’t surge or fade. The pacing graph is almost completely flat, with his effort distributed tightly in a 30-watt range. He pushed on when needed, conserved on fast sections, and rode to a plan that had been tested and refined in training.

Fuelled by Precision

One of the biggest changes between this ride and his DNF attempt was nutrition. The first time, Ben relied on too many solid foods with fibre, which he later learned could impair absorption. This time, it was all about repeatable, absorbable fuelling: one bottle per lap with 120g carbs (60g glucose, 60g fructose) and electrolyte mix, plus caffeine gels every other lap.

He had backup solids available, but never needed them. He trained with these bottles, so when it got hard late in the race and his stomach started to protest, he was already well-fuelled. Practice made perfect.

Team Triumph and a Historic Record

Ben wasn’t alone in this. His teammates Jake Sargent and David Halliday also delivered outstanding rides—Jake winning the event outright with 312 miles, David contributing 295. Together, they shattered the UK team competition record, becoming the first trio to all go over 900 miles in the same event.

Ben’s Reflections

“I had unfinished business with the 12 after I cracked about halfway last time. Seeing all the Bottrill guys do so well last year made me even more determined to put it right.”

“I was grumbling every time I had 2.5-hour high Z2 rides, but it must have helped my mental and physical resilience. This time, everything had been practiced—bike position, fuelling, pacing—so on race day I just had to execute. That made all the difference.”

Coaching Insights

What stood out most wasn’t just Ben’s physical conditioning but his buy-in to the process. We focused on sustainability: not flashy power, but power that could last 12 hours. His fuel strategy, aero comfort, and mental pacing discipline were all rehearsed. When the time came, he rode like someone who already knew the outcome.

For other riders considering ultra-endurance events, this story reinforces a few core principles:

• Train how you race. Get on the TT bike, fuel your Z2 work, and ride in position.

• Practise nutrition obsessively. Race-day guts are trained, not gifted.

• Forget ego. Ride the pace you know you can hold, not the pace you want to see.

Ben’s journey is one of redemption—but also of resilience and relentless preparation. His result speaks to what’s possible when the long game is played right.

Interested in Going Long?

If you're targeting ultra-endurance events or long time trials and want help planning, pacing, and preparing, get in touch. Ben’s result wasn’t luck—it was the outcome of smart, specific coaching built on trust and detail. We’re always looking to help athletes unlock their next breakthrough.

Get in touch to discuss your coaching options with us.

www.mattbottrillperformancecoaching.com