VETERAN Powick cyclist and British cyclo cross champion Chris Wreghitt will saddle up for a crack at European and World titles this month in a bid to finish a successful year in style.
Having won the British title at the end of last winter’s season and a silver medal at the European Mountain Bike Cross-Country Championships in the Czech Republic in July, the county star is set to put pedal to the metal for two further events in November.
He will tackle the European Masters Cyclo-Cross Championship in Italy on November 9 followed by the World Championships in Belgium on November 29.
The veteran racer missed last year’s European race when his mentor and friend Mick Shakespeare, who had accompanied him to Holland for the race, fell down the stairs and ended up in intensive care.
A year on, Mick is recovering well and Chris is not only hoping to start the race this time but win it. It would the perfect preparation for the World Championships later in November on the sandy terrain at Mol.
It’s the third season back in the saddle for Chris since he came out of the retirement forced upon him in his twenties due to injury.
He has been supported in his extensive training programme by local sportsman Liam Killeen whom he trains with twice a week. The steep climbs of the Malvern Hills and the sandy soils of the Wyre Forest have proved ideal training grounds for this most challenging sport.
“When I came back, my fellow riders told me it would take three seasons to fulfil my full racing potential and I think they may be right,” he said.
“I am feeling better and fitter now than I have at any time since my comeback. I can’t wait for the European Championship now just a week away.”
Visit www.mysecondwind.co.uk or follow Chris on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for more.