A wrap for the 2017 season

Summing up the 2017 season

I think it’s fair to say the season went better than I expected.  I went into the Junior ranks hoping to gain experience and knowledge for the following year but after a good winter I came out with results to be pleased with, which gives me confidence moving into the 2018 season.  So here’s how 2017 went…

The 2017 season started with some points chasing at the Velo 29 winter series in order to get my second category license which would get me into the Junior Nationals.  I felt then that I was going to have a good season due to my results in terrain that’s not my forte.  My first proper races were in Belgium at the start of March.  It’s fair to say these races were grim, due to the inclement weather.  This definitely toughened me up for the season ahead.

Next up was the Tour of the Mendips this was my first Junior National this was for sure a good one to start off with.  I came away with 2nd on Stage 2 and was 11th on the General Classification, (overall). 

Monmouthshire also proved to be a fun race with it being a hilly parkour with over 70 miles of quiet Welsh roads.  I came away with 8th after leaving it too late to try to bridge to the front of the race, but still what a great way to spend my 17th Birthday I wouldn’t have had it any other way. 

A few days after I would be flying over to the Tour of the Basque Country, guesting for Zappi, for my first International Stage Race.  After a hard 4 days (5 stages) I came away with 15th and 5th First Year Junior along with 12th on the Queen Stage (from a field of 200). 

A good week of training in the Massif Central region of France. Thanks to the Southby’s for putting me up.  This prepared me well for the races still to come, after some good, hard mountainous rides.

Coming back from France the next week I was racing in Scarborough on the famous Oliver’s Mount Circuit.  Known for its notorious steep climb where I finished 4th.

Another highlight was the Tour of Wales where I was 6th on General Classification, 2nd First Year Junior, 6th on the Queen Stage and 4th on the longest stage of the Tour finishing on the top of the Rhigos climb. 

Finally I finished off my season racing in Italy guesting for Identity Race Team where I was 6th overall at the Giro di Basilicata (UCI 2.1) with a Stage win on Stage 2.

Thanks to everyone who helped though the 2017 season and here's to 2018 season.