Welsh cyclist Stevie Williams has announced his withdrawal from the 2025 Tour de France and the British National Road Race Championships due to a persistent knee injury. The 29-year-old, who clinched victory at the 2024 Tour Down Under in Australia, has been struggling with a quadriceps tendonopathy in his right knee since the start of the season.

Williams shared his disappointment on social media, stating, "Since the start of my season in Australia, I've had an issue with my right knee, a quadriceps tendonopathy, which is very tricky to manage, and it hasn't resolved. I was able to come back for Giro d'Abruzzo and the Ardennes, but since then, things still aren't completely right."

The British National Road Race Championships are set to take place from June 26 to 29 in Ceredigion, west Wales, which includes Williams' hometown of Aberystwyth. The Tour de France is scheduled to begin on July 5 in Lille, France.

Williams expressed his frustration, saying, "As a cyclist, the only thing you want to do is race, so this season has been incredibly frustrating. But I know that these things can't be rushed. I'm gutted to miss the national championships in Wales, especially racing in front of a home crowd, and the Tour de France."

Fans and fellow cyclists have rallied around Williams, offering their support and wishing him a speedy recovery. The cycling community will undoubtedly miss his presence in these prestigious events, but health and recovery remain the top priorities for the talented rider.