Earlier this term, Lower Sixth students welcomed back Old Georgian and professional cyclist Tom Portsmouth, who returned to St George's to share the story of his journey from student to professional athlete. Speaking as part of the College's Lower Sixth lecture programme, Tom offered an honest and inspiring insight into the dedication, resilience and adaptability needed to succeed at the highest level of sport.

The Lower Sixth lecture programme welcomes guest speakers from a wide range of professions, giving students the opportunity to explore careers, develop essential life skills and gain insights beyond the classroom through real-world experiences.

Reflecting on his time at St George's, Tom spoke about balancing school life with the demands of competitive cycling. Weekends were spent racing across the UK and Europe while maintaining his studies, organising travel and keeping up with an intensive training schedule. Although the challenges were significant, he remained committed to pursuing both his education and his passion for cycling.

Growing up, Tom enjoyed a variety of sports, including gymnastics, rugby, swimming and football, before focusing on cycling. His racing career began in Belgium in 2016 and has since taken him across Europe and beyond, competing in countries including France, Switzerland, Slovakia and Poland.

Tom shared the realities of life as a professional cyclist, explaining the discipline required to train for 20–25 hours each week while maintaining strict nutrition and preparing for races of up to 180 kilometres. He also spoke candidly about the setbacks he has faced throughout his career, including broken bones, high-speed crashes, concussion and a fractured hip. His determination to recover and return to racing demonstrated the resilience needed to compete at the highest level.

Alongside racing, Tom has developed a passion for photography and writing, documenting his experiences through his blog. Looking back on his career, he highlighted racing in Gabon, returning for a second professional season and achieving four professional podium finishes, including competing alongside British cycling legend Sir Mark Cavendish.

After leaving St George's, Tom began studying Sports Science at the University of Surrey. However, when the opportunity to sign a professional contract arose, he made the difficult decision to put his degree on hold and pursue cycling full-time. Reflecting on that choice, he encouraged students to remember that careers rarely follow a straightforward path and that unexpected opportunities can often lead to exciting possibilities.

Students also enjoyed an extended question-and-answer session, asking about everything from favourite races and memorable moments to sponsorship, training and life away from home. Tom's openness and honesty helped students relate to the experiences of someone who was once sitting where they are today.

Looking ahead, Tom plans to continue building his life and career in Europe, where he hopes to combine racing with writing and, potentially, further study.

We are grateful to Tom for returning to St George's and sharing his experiences so openly. His visit left students with a powerful reminder that success is built through hard work, resilience and a willingness to embrace opportunities wherever they may lead.