After more than a decade at the sharp end of endurance MTB, Ben is one of the most experienced riders in the Outliers squad. A four-time national champion and regular fixture at World Championships, he brings not just results, but wisdom. With a coaching business in full flow and a background in mentorship, Ben’s focused on racing smart, pushing limits, and helping others do the same. In a sport that rewards resilience, he’s proving that tactical know-how is just as valuable as raw watts.
1. You’ve been racing at an elite level for over a decade – what’s kept you motivated all these years?
I’ve been racing for a long time. The years of travelling all over Europe to race 90-minute UCI Cross-Country World Cup mountain bike races seem a long time ago. I still have good memories of racing in the Hadleigh test event before the 2012 Olympics. I loved those short, sharp races, but eventually, all the travel to race 90 minutes around short 15-minute laps got a bit boring.
I also realised I was much better at the longer events, so I started racing Cross-Country Marathon, which – like gravel – is typically 3 to 6 hours, sometimes more. The change of discipline has kept me motivated, and once I was winning national titles, I was determined to stay at that top level.
2. You’ve represented Great Britain at multiple World Championships – what do those experiences mean to you?
I’ve ridden for the GB team at World Champs most years since 2012. In the early years, I was starting at the very back of the field and fighting to make my way forward. Fast forward five years, and I was getting nearer the front – a 27th in Switzerland (which could quite easily have been a top 20 if it wasn’t for a wrong turn at the end), and then a 7th in Turkey were my standout moments.
With marathon – and now gravel – there’s very little support from British Cycling, so the little collab teams between lots of nations are always something special.
3. You run your own coaching business – how does coaching others influence your approach to racing?
I’ve been running the coaching business now for well over five years and coaching people for much longer. It’s really rewarding to see the enjoyment people get from the training and achieving their sporting goals.
I get to travel to lots of the same events as my clients and will often be on the same start line or racetrack as them. I put a lot of detail into clients training. Most of the time, I’m building four-week training blocks for them – until race season, when things get a bit more flexible. But I’ll often get to Monday morning, be about to head out on the bike, and remember I haven’t fixed my own training yet.
4. As a coach and racer, how do you manage the dual focus – your own personal performance and development of your athletes?
It can be tricky on race weekends when you just want to put your feet up, and instead, you’re getting requests to meet up with clients. Or, when I know I’m away midweek, it can be tough to get all the coaching work done and still maintain the quality of my training.
It’s a fine balance – one I don’t always get right – especially between the coaching job, a professional cycling contract, a four-year-old boy, and a wife! But I try to learn from it, and those learnings help when I’m talking to clients about creating their own balanced lifestyle.
5. With four national titles and consistent top-10 finishes at major international events, what do you think sets you apart?
What’s made me good over the years – and earned me so many good results – is sheer hard work. There can’t be many people who put in the same amount of work I do, balancing two jobs.
When my contract with Ribble was announced, I was pleasantly surprised that so many people wrote kind comments recognising that. I hope that this year I can inspire even more people to achieve their sporting dreams.
6. What excites you about racing with the Ribble Outliers this season?
After riding the past few years as a privateer, I’m excited to now travel with the same group of individuals to each event. I already feel like we’ve established a really strong bond.
With these athletes, the amazing equipment, and the support from the team staff, we have everything we need to have a successful year.
7. What’s one mistake you see amateur racers make all the time – and what’s your go-to fix?
I see many individuals not enjoying the races. Yes, you need to be focused and prepare well, but to be fast, you have to have fun as well.
8. You write regular race reports – how important is it to you to share what goes on behind the scenes?
I really enjoy spreading the word about my racing and the events I visit. I feel like writing race reports is a great way to tell my story – and hopefully it motivates others to get out there and challenge themselves, whether it’s at the same events the following year or just hitting that next milestone on their bikes.
9. If you could sum up this season in one sentence?
I’m determined to make the most of the opportunity riding for Ribble Outliers gives me. If I’m going to spend so much time away from family training and travelling to events, I’m not going to waste this year.
We have an amazing calendar ahead of us – a calendar I’d never have been able to make happen as a privateer. I want to collect some really strong results at the biggest events around the world and have a lot of fun doing so.
We’re thrilled to welcome Harry Tanfield to the Ribble Outliers gravel team! With a wealth of experience racing at the highest level on the World Tour, Harry now turns his focus to the dirt, bringing his speed, grit, and tactical know-how to the fast-growing world of gravel racing. Read his story here.
Gravel racing isn't just about crossing the finish line first—it's about testing boundaries, embracing the unpredictable, and proving what's possible on two wheels. The Outliers, our new gravel racing team, embodies this spirit. Meet the riders and follow their journey: Read the full blog.
