It doesn’t seem like five minutes since I was writing my last blog leading up to the fourth round of the Knights Classic Series. A lot has happened from then.

Since my last blog I have managed to secure the overall Junior win in the Knights Classic Series after winning rounds four and five. We also managed the team win with James Rix and Gareth Pymm for Team Bottrill Vanguard. My good luck in the series ran out when it came to the final of the Knights Classic series when the Open Circuit Champs came around. I was hoping to be competitive for this and round the series off with a win. However, this wasn’t to be as Thomas Prentice was on super flying form and managed to take over a minute and a half out of me despite me burying everything I had into the last lap. Hats off to Tom for that one.

In between my Championship races and National series, I have been attempting to PB my 25-mile time destined to get into the illusive 49-minute club, even if it isn’t as elusive these days. The national record Is always going to be a dream for me but I was very happy when I managed to come away with a 49:48 to succeed in what I had set out to do at the start of the year. Sadly, I doubt I will ever get the chance to go for the 10 record which was a big goal for me this year.

Coming back a bit closer to home, two of my local goals were the regional 10 and 25 championships. I won them both last year and had my mind set on doing the same this year. The 10 was first up on a fast spine road. Hoping to get a sub 20 and thankfully I did taking the win in 19:47. One down, one to go. A few weeks later the 25 came around on a slow course with a climb and headwind the whole way out and then a super fast return with 
speeds sitting at 40mph for a lot of the time. Another win came with a mid 55-minute time. Two out of two - very happy with that.

Coming out of a very stressful exam period meant one thing. It was holiday time, three weeks touring around west Canada. Of course, I took my bike with me but only managed seven rides in the three-week period so some fitness was lost there. It is now time to get that back before the National campaign begins.

On top of the cycling an exam I have been preparing for my potential apprenticeship with Jaguar Land Rover next year as a Powertrain Engineer. Now just waiting on results day on August 16th to see which way the next step of my life will take me.

As always, many thanks to CTT, my parents and my coach, Stu Auckland, for the continued support and guidance throughout my cycling journey.