Career
Some people assume that there was a howling tailwind that day, but there wasn"t. However Williams was left disappointed in the National Hill Climb Championships that year beaten into second place by Malcolm Elliott by only one fifth of a second after being knocked off his bike whilst warming up and receiving a broken nose and severe bruising. At the age of 21 Williams competed for Great Britain in the individual road race at the Moscow Olympic Games.
He was sponsored by Harry Hall Cycles.
Williams finished 47th, alongside Stephen Roche. At the end of the season Williams publicly declared his intention of living and racing in France for the racing calendar with a view to turning professional therefore joining the French club ACBB (Athletic Club de Boulogne Billencourt), Europe’s most successful sports club
In Williams completed a unique double, of the British Road Race Championship and Hill Climb Championship becoming the first person ever to do so in the same season. In he joined Raleigh riding with Paul Sherwen, Mark Bell, Paul Watson and Jon Clay.
Williams retired at the end of the season.
He was famed for his hill climbing ability and considered by many to be one of the most exciting riders, he scaled the heights throughout his career, but also plumbed the depths. Williams starred in the intro for the Channel 4 coverage of the Tour de France throughout the late 80s to mid 90s (see video Video on YouTube). The music was composed by Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks.