Meet cycling's 'next big thing' who relished Tour of Britain's 'controlled chaos'

In a grey jersey that barely stands out from the white of his teammates, Elliot Rowe is inconspicuously becoming British cycling's next best thing. The 20-year-old has worn the young rider's jersey since stage one of his first-ever Lloyds Tour of Britain, fresh from making his Commonwealth Games debut for Scotland this summer. But it is not just in the youth category that Rowe is shining. He sits seventh overall, ahead of the likes of established names like Filippo Ganna and Nils Politt, having made the step up to senior racing with ease despite being the Tour's fourth youngest rider. 'I've not been in many races of this level yet, so getting myself into the front groups and having a look around is really cool,' said Rowe. 'There's a massive difference to age group racing. Here there's very much a template for each day – we let the break go, the big teams control your ride, then you race the final. 'Last week at the Tour de l'Avenir (U23 race) it was chaos all the time, you're just racing, racing, racing. This is controlled chaos, which is nice.' While Rowe usually rides for Visma | Lease a Bike Development team, he is currently riding for the Great Britain Cycling Team on home roads. But while Commonwealth Games medallists Ollie Wood and Matt Bostock represent the most natural sprinters from the group, Rowe's abilities have seen him take on all the roles. His first day through five ascents of Lincoln's brutal cobbled Michaelgate climb showed him at his best to earn the GC position, but Rowe was also picked to contest the following two sprints in Skegness and Beverley. 'It's been really good to get those opportunities. It was really big to be given that responsibility by the team. It gave me confidence as well, knowing all the boys and coaches thought I could do well,' he said. Olav Kooij ultimately took victory on day three's sprint at Beverley Racecourse for his eighth Lloyds Tour of Britain stage win, moving him joint-second for most stage victories at the men's Tour. But having already claimed the U23 National Road Race title, it is Rowe turning heads in the peloton with Team Scotland teammate Mark Stewart already sold. 'Elliot's just going to be the next best thing,' he said. 'There are no surprises there.' British Cycling is inspiring riders and fans across the country through the Lloyds Tour of Britain, bringing the sport to life and celebrating the joy of cycling through Britain's biggest free-to-spectate cycling event. Visit britishcycling.org.uk