Olympic Champion Cyclist Matt Walls Joins German Continental Team

A New Direction: Walls' Journey to the Continental Circuit

From WorldTour Heights to Continental Ambitions

After half a decade competing at cycling's highest level, the WorldTour, Olympic track gold medalist Matt Walls has transitioned to a German UCI Continental team. The 27-year-old, who previously raced for Groupama-FDJ and Bora-hansgrohe, is now part of the 15-rider roster of the newly formed Team Storck-MRW Bau.

The Unforeseen Transition: A Contract's End and a New Beginning

Walls' decision to sign with the German squad came after his two-year agreement with Groupama-FDJ was not extended. He shared that he received an inquiry from Storck-MRW Bau, leading to discussions that culminated in his signing. He views this as a promising venture, expressing a strong desire to return to victory, noting it has been some time since his last win.

Overcoming Adversity: A Champion's Resilience Amidst Challenges

The period following Walls' Olympic gold medal win in the omnium at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 has been marked by a series of unfortunate events. In October 2021, he secured a victory at the Italian one-day race Gran Piemonte. However, 2022 saw him suffer a severe concussion and stitches after a dramatic crash during the Commonwealth Games track event. The following year, May 2023, brought further setback with a hip fracture sustained in a training accident.

Seeking a Better Fit: A Rider's Quest for Opportunity

Despite these challenges, Walls made his return to racing at the Tour of Britain in September. At that time, while still with Bora-hansgrohe, he publicly stated his uncertainty regarding a contract for 2024. He subsequently joined Groupama-FDJ, achieving 10 top-10 finishes in 2025 before being released at the season's end. Walls acknowledged that he didn't quite gel with the team's dynamics and felt the opportunities he desired were lacking, leading to a mutual decision to part ways in pursuit of a team that better aligned with his aspirations.

Dual Ambitions: Balancing Road and Track for Olympic Dreams

Walls commenced his road racing season with Storck-MRW Bau last Sunday, securing a sixth-place finish at the GP Vermarc in Belgium. His strategic plan for the current season involves a combination of road and track racing, a formula that has historically yielded success for him. This approach is underpinned by a long-term goal of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Walls recognizes the complementary nature of both disciplines, acknowledging that his track involvement has been limited in recent years but expressing a determination to regain his peak performance. His primary focus is on securing victories once more, emphasizing that he is taking his career one season at a time, rather than looking too far ahead, prioritizing current performance over future aspirations within the WorldTour circuit.