Onley on Grand Tour goals and growing confidence after Vuelta boost

"A lot has changed and nothing has changed, almost" is the modest assessment of a stunning 18 months for Oscar Onley.

The 23-year-old is the first Scotsman since 1987 to win a jersey at a Grand Tour, taking white as the best young rider for his sixth-place at the Vuelta a Espana.

In the summer of 2025, he was fourth in the Tour de France, equalling the best finish by a Scot.

On being thrust into the cycling spotlight, Onley told BBC Scotland: "I guess I have had to talk to more people now, which is not my favourite part of the job, but it has been nice. I get recognised more which is quite strange for me.

"But I wouldn't say it has changed so much. I don't feel any extra pressure since I don't really listen to anyone that I don't know.

"I have always put high expectations on myself. Anyone that has known me since juniors has said that and I wouldn't say anything has changed in that regard, so I guess a lot has changed and nothing has changed, almost.

"I'm racing the same guys in the same races and just keeping it as simple as possible is really the best approach."

The Netcompany Ineos racer from Kelso is hoping to add to his growing reputation when he competes in the 273km elite men's race as part of the Great Britain team at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal on Sunday.

"To be honest, I don't know what people say about me. I don't really follow the cycling world that much," he added. "I just focus on myself.

"People in the team have a lot of belief in me and that gives me confidence.

"I think sometimes I kind of lack that confidence and maybe don't know what I am capable of so when these people are saying these things then it makes me believe it a little bit more."

No Scot has ever won a Grand Tour but Onley explains the punishing schedules suit him.

"It's definitely one of my goals, so, yes, I hope to win one of them in the future," he said.

"I have goals that I set myself every year and I really feel like I am in a good place just now. I feel like I am in the right environment to really get the most out of myself.

"For sure I haven't got the most out of myself this year, but I have really stepped up in terms of just my base level and the way I have been training. I just haven't really been able to show it in as many races as I would like.

"Having La Vuelta in the last few weeks has given me that confidence to go into next year continuing to set these goals and hopefully match them."

The road World Championships streams on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app

Saturday 26 September:

Women's Road Race: 14:00-19:30 BST - iPlayer & BBC Sport website & app

Sunday 27 September:

Men's road race: 14:00-21:00 BST - iPlayer & BBC Sport website & app (19:00-21:00 BBC Three)

Full Road Worlds schedule, external