New era in my career one year on!

Dear readers,

I want to start with saying a huge thank you to everyone at the Neon Velo Cycling Team. Especially Emma Backhouse who worked tirelessly organising flights, accommodation, race entry, training camps, expenses and far more. To all my friends in the Team, to Trek UK and Bontrager for the support and to everyone else who’s supported the team and myself over the last 12months. Since joining the team I was overwhelmed with support of every kind. I’ve learned and experienced a lot with the team, I’ve had some amazing opportunities like travelling and racing across America with our US team of Jeremy, Gabby, and Brad. Unfortunately the time has now come to embark on a new venture in new surroundings and embrace the new opportunities that I’ve been offered with my new sponsor Quest Sportswear Cycling Team. I wish everyone at the Neon Velo Cycling Team all best and look forward see you at the races soon. 

Best result in a national to date!

After a shockingly disappointing ride in the inter area championships i bucked my ideas up and properly prepared for round 3 of the National Trophy series in Southampton. 

Packed up and departed at 7:30 we arrived at the venue with around 3 hours to spare so i got out and rode the course which was great, but tricky to be certain on. It was slippery at first but when you take into consideration the fact that there are 3 races before mine and the weather was warming up, choosing tires was a tricky process!  I did some laps, had some chats and caught up with Hugo Robinson who was doing his first National of the season (and breezing it!). 

I warmed up on the turbo and got to the start line with about 5 minutes to spare before gridding and kept riding before being called onto the second row and waiting for the start. I was determined to do a decent ride after my mishap at Leicester leaving me with a 6th place and a feeling of 'what could have been' so from the whistle i went full gas into the first section, finding myself in around 6th place comfortably. 

James Shaw took an awesome lead with Danny Fox pursuing him then my group with Billy Harding and Dylan Kerfoot Robson racing for 3rd place. I tried to keep cool in the head as i had never been riding in this sort of position at a national before, so i'm still pretty inexperienced when it comes to leader tactics. I sat in for a bit but with 2 to go i made some digs and kept the pressure on to try and prevent Jack Ravenscroft from catching us. 

It was brilliant riding in third, you really do get a lot more support from everyone when you're higher up in the field! On the last lap i made a hard couple of digs and Billy and I nearly lost Dylan but he bounced back with Jack Ravenscroft towards the end of the final lap. Dylan and Jack got a slight gap but in the end I just about got back to them in the sprint, finishing 5th, my best result in a national to date!

Photos: Mark Burch

Of course i was really happy and i have to say a massive well done to the other guys who i was racing with as i never realised how tricky it is to get in them top 3 podium spots!

Thanks to Trevor, Jane, Ewan and James at Ciclos Uno and Windwave/Colnago for keeping me kitted up and biked out, Ivan, Rog, and Mark for helping out so much and being great support... and also thanks to everybody who gave me a cheer!