So the 2022 season has finished now. My goals for this year were to win a medal at the junior national track championships and to secure a place in a foreign team for next year.

After finishing my A levels (getting ABB) in June my full focus was on the junior national track championships with my specific goal being the individual pursuit. My goal going into the champs was to do the 3km IP in a 3:18 or to get a medal. In July I spent a lot of time training at Derby velodrome, the purpose of these sessions was to perfect every aspect of the individual pursuit (aerodynamics, power, line etc). A few weeks before the champs I did a 3:22 in training, I knew a 3:18 would be a big challenge but race day makes a big difference. In the qualifying round I did a 3:18.2 for the 3km (54.5kph from a standing start) which put me 2nd meaning I was through to the gold medal ride off in the evening, also securing me at least a silver medal. The fastest qualifier was 2.4 seconds faster than me, so I had nothing to lose in the final. I started faster than in qualifying as I had to see how far I could push it to give myself a chance at the national title, in the last 4 laps I faded a lot finishing with a time of 3:21 and the silver medal. But I had achieved both goals I had set myself so I was really happy.

A few years ago, I got some support from JHMT which we used to help me get more aerodynamic. Although I've grown and my equipment has changed the learning and improvements from those sessions have undoubtably helped me get to this result.

Also at the national track championships were the bunch races. In the 20km scratch race I was aggressive from the start forcing the race into a chaotic style of racing that suited me, I was able to get away on my own with 40 laps to go and build up a lead of half a lap on the bunch. With 25 laps to go I got within 30 or 40 meters of the bunch but having been away for 15 laps already I wasn't able to make it to the back of the bunch as the accelerated. I came away with nothing but did everything I could.

In the points race, I got in a breakaway of 4 and we lapped the bunch taking 20 points while also collecting points along the way. When we got back in the bunch I was starting to feel my best however the other riders were able to close gaps I would create making it easier for the riders I had taken a lap with. It came down to the final sprint with 1 rider clear for the win and 3 of us on equal points for 2 medals, so it was first across the line wins the medals. I got myself boxed in and out of place for the final sprint and although I was closing on the rider I needed to beat for the medal I ran out of track being about 2 meters away from a bronze medal. 4th it was but I was gutted and it's taken me some time to realise I rode a good race, I just made 1 mistake with 3 laps to go.

A few weeks after the track championships was the Junior tour of Wales, the final race of the UK road season. 5 stages in 4 days over a few of the biggest mountains in Wales. Stage 1 was TT, I finished 22th which I was relatively happy with. Stage 2 was a summit finish on Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons, with 80km to go I got in a breakaway of 5 riders. We rode together for 55km pulling out a gap of 2 minutes on the main bunch however we were joined by a group of 6 and then another group of 8. Into the final climb I was feeling tired having spent 75km riding hard in the wind, I was able to hang on for 8th on the stage 40 seconds down on the leaders who were the fresher riders who joined us a lot later. This put me in 9th place on the general classification. Stage 3 and 4 were about not losing any time to the leader which I did successfully. The final stage finished up Tumble Mountain near Abergavenny. I felt terrible at the start not much energy and my legs hurting, on the first climb I was dropped and spent 10 minutes over the top chasing on. I didn't stress as there was a long way to go, I just made sure to fuel as much as possible for the rest of the stage. With 20km to go as everyone is preparing for the big mountain to the finish I managed to get in a breakaway with 5 others and we pulled out a minute lead before the climb. I was first onto the climb and rode well all the way up, I was overtaken by the general classification leaders however with how I was feeling in the morning I was happy to be limiting my losses and finished the stage in 21st place with a general classification position of 13th.

These results helped with my other goal for the year, to secure a place in a foreign team next year. I got the attention of a Spanish team based in Aragon. I've signed a contract for the team and I'm going to be moving to the town of Huesca in February to get ready for a year of U23 racing in Spain. There will be a lot of challenges next year not just the racing but I'm looking forward to whatever happens.

After the junior tour of Wales, I raced in Belgium (another blog) then I went to LA to help my Dad and his team at a race they were doing as well as have a bit of time off before I started training for next year.

So, in 2022 I've achieved both goals I set for myself and have gained so much more knowledge and experience that will be invaluable for next year and hopefully the years after that!