Ed was born in Barnsley in 1985 and grew up in Yorkshire. From a young age, he would spend hours on his bike. He always loved cycling, but he didn't consider it a career opportunity until he was scouted by British Cycling's Talent Team at the age of 16.

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Having been spotted, Ed would progress to The Academy -  a renowned, pioneering programme by British Cycling responsible for nurturing young talents including Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish. 

 

After graduating to the British Cycling Olympic programme, Ed won his first senior gold medal at the 2005 World Championship, aged 20.

 

Throughout his career, Ed competed as an endurance cyclist on the road, most notably riding for the JLT-Condor road team from 2011 to 2018.  His speciality was Crit Racing and Circuit Racing, winning numerous Tour Series and National Championships during the 'boom' years of domestic road cycling. Ed's most significant road win came from The Sun Tour Prologue in 2018. 

 

His first Olympic title came in Beijing 2008, winning gold in Team Pursuit under the watchful eye of Sir Dave Brailsford. Ed followed this success with another Team Pursuit gold at the London Olympics in 2012, and a bronze medal in the Omnium.

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In 2015, just nine months before he was due to compete at Rio 2016, Ed suffered a freak back injury at The Tour of Britain. Unable to ride, he decided to undergo career-saving surgery in a bid to return to form. He went on to win a historic third gold medal in Team Pursuit at Rio.

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Tokyo 2021 marked Ed's sixteenth year as a Team GB cyclist and his fourth and final games.  It wasn't the fairytale ending to his Olympic career Ed had been hoping for, but his love and passion for cycling remained. ​​

He began his post-competitive career with the research and innovation team at British Cycling, contributing to the development of cutting-edge bikes and equipment. Additionally, he collaborated with the commercial team to secure sponsorships and partnerships, driving growth and progress within the sport.

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In 2023, Ed took on the role of Active Travel Commissioner for South Yorkshire. He strives to create meaningful opportunities for residents to choose healthy and accessible ways to navigate their daily journeys.

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Ed is currently a proud brand ambassador for CAMS (Cycle Accident Management Services), an organisation committed to protecting vulnerable road users. Through this role, he continues to advocate for safety and awareness on the roads.

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Beyond his work in cycling, Ed has established himself as a popular public speaker. He shares his inspiring journey in sport while emphasising the core principles and values that drive high-performing teams.