Coventry Cyclist Conquers Tour de France for First Time
Homegrown Talent Completes Grueling Three-Week Race
Coventry’s own Jake Stewart has achieved a significant career milestone, successfully completing the prestigious Tour de France. The 25-year-old rider for the Israel-Premier Tech team crossed the finish line on Paris’s iconic Champs-Élysées, marking his first time finishing the demanding 3,500km (2,175-mile) race.
From Debut Disappointment to Parisian Triumph
Stewart, affectionately known as “The Coventry Comet,” made his debut in the world’s premier cycling event last year but was unable to finish. This year’s completion represents a substantial personal achievement and a testament to his dedication.
Focus Shifts to Tour of Britain
With the Tour de France now in the rearview mirror, Stewart is already setting his sights on the upcoming Tour of Britain. The Warwickshire-based rider will compete in stage five, which begins in Atherstone and concludes at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park.
Humble Roots Fuel Success
Stewart credits his West Midlands upbringing for grounding him as he navigates the elite levels of professional cycling. He recently secured a World Tour race win at the Criterium du Dauphine.
He remarked on the sport’s increasing cost, stating, “Cycling is a very inaccessible sport, it’s becoming more and more expensive for less privileged families to be able to provide for their kids.”
“Growing up in Coventry, it keeps you humble when you make it on the big stage.”
—Jake Stewart, Professional Cyclist
His parents, Ester and Paul Stewart, were present in Paris to witness their son’s triumphant finish. His father, Paul, described him as having:
“He’s got no ego, he just goes out there and he just wants to find his place in the peloton and be the best rider he can be.”
—Paul Stewart, Father
The Tour de France remains one of the most challenging sporting events globally. In 2023, an estimated 2.5 billion viewers tuned in worldwide, highlighting the immense popularity and reach of the event (Statista, 2024).
