British phenom bags incredible solo victory to win U23 world title in Wollongong

Oliver Conway topped off an incredible breakthrough season when he was crowned the U23 World Champion in Wollongong, Australia.

The British youngster won his first-ever World Cup race in Saidia in June and then finished a superb fourth on his WTCS debut at Karlovy Vary before going on to bag a Supertri podium in Jersey.

All of which suggested a special talent which he underlined in stunning style with what turned into a solo win on the New South Wales coast.

Running away with it

Hungary’s Márton Kropkó led out the swim but Conway was in touch and a group of 14 would move clear on the bike before a crash reduced them to nine and that was how it stayed all the way into T2.

But it was one-way traffic on the run, with Conway surging 17 seconds clear on the first of five laps.

And the gap continued to out – up to 1:39 by the time the line came thanks to an incredible 29:35 10km for Conway, with Kropkó taking silver and Italy’s Euan De Nigro the bronze.

Perfect race

Speaking afterwards, Conway said: “I think I was lucky with my starting position as I was near to some really fast swimmers. So I pretty much got on feet straight away and I probably had the best swim of my life.

“And then on the bike I just tried to keep the pace on, pushing it up the hills, as I didn’t want the fast runners behind to catch on.

“And then the run I just felt good so I just tried to keep a consistent pace all the way through and I managed to get a gap.

“I don’t think the race could have gone any better! Race-by-race this season I’ve just been gaining confidence, it’s great to see it all coming together.”

U23 World Championship 2025 results

Thursday 16 October 2025 – 1.5km / 40km / 10km

Men