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Professional cycling career beckons for Loughborough College student

Posted: 16th July 2018 - 3:02pm
Pictured: Loughborough College student Liam Davies (in red with white-framed glasses) in action

A Loughborough College Motorsport Technology student has revealed it is pedal power that is set to propel his future career.

Increasing professional cycling success for Liam Davies as he completes his College course has seen him put plans for degree study on hold.

Signed by the Vitus Pro Cycling team at only 17 years old, Liam has already competed in world class fields in major events such as this year’s prestigious Tour de Yorkshire road race, which was televised on Sky and ITV, and has raced alongside top names like Mark Cavendish, Ed Clancy and Charlie Tanfield.

“Loughborough College has been fantastic supporting me as an elite athlete, enabling me to train and compete alongside my studies. I’ve learnt so much on my course and planned to move on to a degree - but my cycling has opened up so many fantastic opportunities,” said Liam, now 18.

“I was given a contract by Vitus in October last year and only officially started racing in January and it’s been daunting to step up to a senior team - but so exciting to be racing amongst some of the world’s leading cyclists and in events like the Tour de Yorkshire, the OVO Energy Tour of Britain and the National Road Race Championships.

“Rather than just 'sitting in the peloton' at the national championships and not learning much, I was following 'attacks' from the likes of Ian Stannard, Mark Cavendish, Ben Swift and Adam Blyth. The pace was world class.

“It was also an unbeliveable experience for me as a young learning rider to compete in the National Criterium Championshios earlier this month. It was on a technical course with cobbled chicanes and hairpin bends and suited me well.

“That was followed by a ‘premier calendar’ 120-mile race with a super strong field. The team was very pleased with how I rode this at 18 years old, particularly in view of the hot weather conditions. The fast course suited me and I managed to roll in 33rd place in a race with over 120 riders.

“What has happened to me in just a few short months with the right support and being continually challenged in a high-calibre environment is unbelievable. It makes me believe anything is possible. Who knows, one day I may be given the chance to represent Great Britain in the Olympics.”

Pictured: Loughborough College student Liam Davies (in red with white-framed glasses) in action